Because who knows maybe one of the lesser "known" NA teams is actually god like in Worlds and International play but we don't get to see it. Partially because Liquid who sucks a$$ in Internationals always hogs up a spot and at least C9 showed last year they can compete since they made it almost to finals but horseshoes and hand grenades.
It's going to be interesting because the Play-In teams are no joke this year and they 2 follow the beat of their own drum. All it takes is for Clutch to lose 1 game in the group stage( 3-1) for example to be placed in a Best of 5 with EU's #3 Seed and/or Damwon Gaming and vice versa or, those teams could lose a game and be placed in a series with Clutch if Clutch is able to be a #1 Seed from the Play-in groups.
Good luck to all teams but especially to all NA teams( We going back to Europe and well.....0-10 ) still haunts me
I'm not confident of them making noise at worlds, but it was fun to watch them in playoffs.
Cautiously pessimistic. Huni and Cody Sun have each been in World's experience, and Lira is good, but none of them are major playmakers. Vulcan may have some first time jitters, and Damonte can't be expected to be a strong force. The best to hope for is they don't get swept or embarrassed during play-in and can build their experience for next season.
I'm just glad they earned their way in. But in no way would I put unrealistic expectations on them from the get go.
It really sucks that I have to worry about the community forcibly ripping off bandaids should they fall out at Play Ins. Sentiment with Chompy here: I rather think of Clutch Gaming representing for themselves rather than for all of NA. I feel that way about a couple of other teams as well; Damwon and Hong Kong Attitude currently. Greener and/or harboring their share of errors on the year that could gift them the early exit.
If it were Clutch, at this point I feel it'd just spiral back to doubling down on the whole "punish NA for failure" hive mind which wouldn't necessarily apply to anyone else region wise.
I believe that world's suits CG's playstyle and they will get out of their group (assuming they don't get hit with a group of death). I think that, once again, Cloud 9 will be NA's best representative at world's as they seem to have the best adaptability from your region. As for TL, I think they will probably do pretty bad. Their one dimensional style will probably lead to them not getting out of groups.
CG are definitely the best of the other teams to send, was rooting for them for a while and their reverse sweep of TSM was one of the few series i got hyped up for this season. (Got hyped for C9 Vs TL as well, shame how it ended)
TSM and CLG have been so boring to watch this season and I feel (like TL) they woild not adapt to other teams play style fast enough.
As for EUW I'm gutted that Rouge didn't get to go and believe Splyce will most likely finish last in their group or second to last depending on the group.
C9 and Fnatic will probably go to quarter or semi finals depending on draw.
Hoping G2 get to finals and have a chance of winning.
TL:DR Congrats CG, think they will surpass expectations at worlds.
