NA LCS Week 10 Preview
Riot·3/28/2014, 9:21:28 PM·0 votes·1,186 views
The end of the season is near and the race for the playoffs is tight. The difference between fourth place and eighth place is only three games. The top-three teams are all but secured: Team SoloMid, Cloud 9, and Counter Logic Gaming. CLG would need to lose five of its remaining six games to drop from the third seed.
The spotlight will be on Team Dignitas and Curse to break out of their inconsistencies and secure the much-needed fourth and fifth spots (both records at 9-13, respectively). If the season has been any indication, anything is possible. With only two weeks left to play, every team in the LCS wants to end on a high note.
Counter Logic Gaming's record and recent play should invoke fear in Team SoloMid. Both teams match up well in every lane. The mismatch and x-factor for Team SoloMid could be the middle lane; Soren "Bjergsen" Bjerg's dominance in both shot-calling and the laning phase may prove to be too difficult for Counter Logic Gaming's Austin "LiNk" Shin.
Counter Logic Gaming's success can be seen in champion select. Great win rates with Elise (4-0), Sivir (6-0), and Shyvana (8-5) show off the extraordinary consistency of CLG. Team SoloMid will need to scout and ban out these problematic champions or risk an upset.
Team Coast is the most inconsistent team in North America this split. The team flashes brilliance, both collectively and individually, but fails to capitalize on any positive momentum. Meanwhile, XDG looked strong last week against Curse. Aggressive rotations, ganks, and team fights warranted a second glance at this last-place team. Another week of practice with support, Jamie "Sheep" Gallagher should help their chances going forward. If XDG Gaming pulls out another great performance, the sixth spot could be theirs.
This is the most important week for Team Coast. They have two games this week against the two teams below them in the standings -- these are must-wins. Someone on Team Coast besides Danny "Shiphtur" Le needs to step up.
Long-time middle laner, William "Scarra" Li was replaced by Greyson "Goldenglue" Gilmer. It was a controversial decision, but ultimately one that may pay off. Li will be relegated to the coaching role and could provide a much-needed adrenaline shot to a team that looked lost in recent weeks.
Team Dignitas will need everything to work to beat a juggernaut like Cloud 9. They'll need successful rotations from Alberto "Crumbzz" Rengifo for early momentum and Michael "imaqtpie" Santana to come out of the laning phase ahead. Then there's the x-factor. The addition of Gilmer to the team's dynamic will be difficult for other teams to game plan against. Cloud 9 will need to be reactionary to avoid a potential surprise loss.
Week 10 is coming. There will be plenty of answers for playoff hopefuls. For fans of great League of Legends' drama, the NA LCS will provide plenty of it.
For more information on the 2014 spring split, including schedules, team rosters, and brackets, check out lolesports.com.
Be sure to tune into the stream on March 29th at 12:00PM PDT for the start of Week 10 of the NA LCS.
Counter Logic Gaming v. Team SoloMid
When: Saturday, 3/29, 1:00 p.m. PST/22:00 CET
Counter Logic Gaming's record and recent play should invoke fear in Team SoloMid. Both teams match up well in every lane. The mismatch and x-factor for Team SoloMid could be the middle lane; Soren "Bjergsen" Bjerg's dominance in both shot-calling and the laning phase may prove to be too difficult for Counter Logic Gaming's Austin "LiNk" Shin.
Counter Logic Gaming's success can be seen in champion select. Great win rates with Elise (4-0), Sivir (6-0), and Shyvana (8-5) show off the extraordinary consistency of CLG. Team SoloMid will need to scout and ban out these problematic champions or risk an upset.
Team Coast v. XDG Gaming
When: Saturday, 3/29, 2:00 p.m. PST/23:00 CET
Team Coast is the most inconsistent team in North America this split. The team flashes brilliance, both collectively and individually, but fails to capitalize on any positive momentum. Meanwhile, XDG looked strong last week against Curse. Aggressive rotations, ganks, and team fights warranted a second glance at this last-place team. Another week of practice with support, Jamie "Sheep" Gallagher should help their chances going forward. If XDG Gaming pulls out another great performance, the sixth spot could be theirs.
This is the most important week for Team Coast. They have two games this week against the two teams below them in the standings -- these are must-wins. Someone on Team Coast besides Danny "Shiphtur" Le needs to step up.
Cloud 9 v. Team Dignitas
When: Sunday, 3/30, 2:00 p.m. PST/23:00 CET
Long-time middle laner, William "Scarra" Li was replaced by Greyson "Goldenglue" Gilmer. It was a controversial decision, but ultimately one that may pay off. Li will be relegated to the coaching role and could provide a much-needed adrenaline shot to a team that looked lost in recent weeks.
Team Dignitas will need everything to work to beat a juggernaut like Cloud 9. They'll need successful rotations from Alberto "Crumbzz" Rengifo for early momentum and Michael "imaqtpie" Santana to come out of the laning phase ahead. Then there's the x-factor. The addition of Gilmer to the team's dynamic will be difficult for other teams to game plan against. Cloud 9 will need to be reactionary to avoid a potential surprise loss.
Week 10 is coming. There will be plenty of answers for playoff hopefuls. For fans of great League of Legends' drama, the NA LCS will provide plenty of it.
For more information on the 2014 spring split, including schedules, team rosters, and brackets, check out lolesports.com.
Be sure to tune into the stream on March 29th at 12:00PM PDT for the start of Week 10 of the NA LCS.
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