CLG rises to represent NA at MSI

What an end to the 2016 NA LCS Spring Split. In an El Clasico matchup for the ages, Counter Logic Gaming downed rival TSM in one of the most tense, story-laden matchups in recent history.

Now, it's time for CLG to turn their attention to the next challenge: ascending onto the international stage to prove that NA is a region that can challenge the best in the world. They’ve stumbled at this hurdle before, but every misplaced step only serves to add more fuel to the flames of determination. CLG have been eager to represent their home region on the global stage for months, saying they want to "win everything." Now that they rule North America, their eyes fall firmly on the Mid-Season Invitational in Shanghai.

The NA Rollercoaster Ride

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There were a flurry of roster swaps ahead of the NA 2016 LCS Spring Split, and combined with an influx of players from Korea and Europe, it's led to one of the most competitive North American splits ever. While NA’s mixed pot of players deal with language barriers, homesickness, and other struggles, they've arguably enriched the region as well. Take these new rosters, add greater infrastructure, money, and sponsorships, and the result is some of the most explosive NA LCS games we’ve seen yet.

It didn’t take long for clear tiers to emerge during the 2016 NA Spring Split. Squads like the Renegades and Team Dignitas scraped out a few wins, but weren’t able to deliver long term. Teams like Counter Logic Gaming and Cloud9 proved themselves to be strong and dynamic. Then, the bar was raised across the region by the incredible 17-1 regular season run of the Immortals. The only team that managed to take a Regular Split game off the titans?

The 2016 NA LCS Summer Champions, Counter Logic Gaming.

Heading into the NA LCS Playoffs, every team was open with their ambitions -- they intended to win the NA LCS and move onto MSI to prove the region's worth in front of the world. North America's reputation was on the line after the disastrous second-week performances at the 2015 Worlds’ Group Stages. Even TSM’s upset victory at IEM Katowice against Team WE was seen as a one-off fluke. NA’s top talent had everything to prove, and every team was hungry to be the one that would redeem the region.

Despite the Immortals’ steamroll run through the regular Split and the hungry rookies on Liquid evolving into top tier form, it was old rivals CLG and TSM who wound up facing each other at the NA LCS Spring Finals. CLG had enjoyed a solid, reliable season, while TSM had rebounded back from their questionable 9-9 performance into being a dominant Playoffs team once again.

Both legendary NA teams wanted to be the ones to go to Shanghai, and after a skin-of-your-teeth back and forth Best of 5, CLG took home their second championship.

No region brings the passion, drama, and highlights like North America. NA is home to some of the most well known names in the sport, from team owners like Reginald and HotshotGG to veterans like Hai and Doublelift, and even legendary World Champions like Impact and Piglet. NA has always been an exciting region with lots of action, but they’re ready to translate that into results on the international stage. After countless heartbreaking losses, incredible comebacks, and movie script moments, the world is hanging on North America’s stories and waiting to see what comes next after the disappointments of the past.

New Rookies, New Challenges

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CLG’s story for the 2016 season began with the most shocking roster change in League history -- their star ADC of four years -- Doublelift -- left for rivals TSM, the same team he had relentlessly trash talked since Season 2.

Not only would they lose Doublelift, but mid laner Pobelter would also leave the team. Two key members in that won 2015 Summer Split Championship were gone and many were questioning if CLG could bounce back from such a blow -- or if they would fall back to the CLG of old, known for an unstable roster and questionable form.

Some organizations might have searched for big names with impressive records to plug the holes in their roster. But CLG prioritized players who would work with the team. They promoted from within, knowing that these rookie players had already established synergy with their veteran teammates and lined up with the new, team heavy values of CLG: Huhi, their former sub for mid lane, and Stixxay, from their Challenger team.

Counter Logic Gaming's final Spring Split roster was:

• TOP: Darshan "Darshan" Upadhyaha
• JUNGLE: Jake "Xmithie" Puchero
• MID: Jae-hyun "Huhi" Choi
• ADC: Trevor "Stixxay" Hayes
• SUPPORT: Zaqueri "Aphromoo" Black

CLG’s roster had three veterans left, who also happened to be some of the most talented players in North America. Aphromoo is one of the strongest supports in the region, boasting a world-class Bard and cool, calm, and collected shotcalling. Xmithie has stepped up with his map control and is always happy to focus on snowballing other members of the team. Darshan continues to excel as a rock solid top laner. We all know he could split push his way through a mountain, but he has also shown that he has the ability to adjust and adapt to the meta.

However, the big trademark of the new CLG is not their three veterans or their track record -- it's their insistence on playing as a team and working together. Analysts and fans considered Stixxay and Huhi mechanical downgrades from their predecessors. However, this is a five man unit that actually works as a team, with each player fitting into a role and the end result being stronger than their star studded competition. The three veterans have worked hard to make sure that Stixxay and Huhi are at their best and feeling comfortable both on and off the Rift.

CLG managed to maintain a rock solid performance all split. While Cloud9 had dynamic, exciting games and TSM enjoyed a last minute turn-around, CLG simply kept their heads down and quietly pushed through the competition. Critics wondered whether or not the roster changes would pay off. CLG’s results this Split have undoubtedly proven this beyond any doubt.

Redeeming the Past

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The 2016 Mid-Season Invitational won’t be CLG’s first time in front of a global audience -- but this might be the event that redeems their past performances. The last two major international events that CLG attended were IEM Katowice and the 2015 World Championship. Neither left them covered in glory; Fnatic knocked them out 2-1 at Katowice, and they struggled in their Group against the Flash Wolves and the KOO Tigers (now the Rox Tigers). Now, CLG will step into Shanghai in hopes of proving themselves as legitimate international contenders.

Prior to the Best of 5 against TSM that crowned them Spring Split Champions, many would have said that rookies Huhi and Stixxay were the weak links of the team. However, both carries turned in solid performances at the Finals. Playing around their team, Stixxay’s raw damage and Huhi’s versatility provided incredible contributions to their victory. Both proved that they are instrumental in CLG’s success and if they can perform like that in front of a sold out Mandalay Bay, they can no doubt do exactly the same in Shanghai.

In their last international showing at IEM Katowice CLG failed to adapt to the meta and were rightly punished for it. If they want to prove themselves (and their region) as truly world class contenders, they will have to rely heavily on their coaching staff and quickly adapt to their international competitors. They proved they could do it through the NA Spring Finals -- now it’s time to prove they can do it in front of the rest of the world.

Five Men Against the World

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In the 2016 NA LCS Spring Split, Counter Logic Gaming have done more than survive the roster changes -- they’ve proven that they can thrive under these conditions and come out even stronger.

Now that they’ve conquered North America -- again -- the next challenge is to prove themselves as international competitors. And the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational will be a perfect arena for the test. CLG will be looking for redemption from their past international performances in China, but now, with their current roster -- and some focused teamwork -- fans have faith that this is the year CLG can come out ahead.