This season is sure to be exciting as the teams will be battling it out for a $7,500 prize pot.
The returning champ, compLexity, is back and ready for some action. They edged a win over EG last season in the finals to take home the championship. This season is sure to unfold quickly with the grudge matches between EG and compLexity. Almost every other time these teams play each other, the other one wins. Look for the matches to be some of the most intense, but best matches of the season. It is not safe to rule out any other team though, as all of the teams have a fair shot to take out both compLexity and EG.
Drew "Irukandji" Timmerman
Ryan "NineSpot" Bell
Derek "dboorN" Boorn
Jeff "hero" Mettetal
Scott "evolution" Cavallero
This team has what it takes to be the next champion and repeat a victory. Under a new name and organization, they have a huge backing that can give them the momentum. This team has also had both its ups and its downs. They went into the KODE5 Qualifiers and lost to Gravitas in the finals. They have made two huge roster changes in the past few months, but it has inevitably made them a better team.
They are also one of the most rivaled teams in CEVO-P. A lot of teams are looking to take a shot at them to put them out of first place, a place they are comfortable to be in. The rivalry with EG will make for some very exciting match-ups, but I'm not too sure they can beat EG every time. It's always a tossup when these two teams enter the server.
Strengths: They have a huge community following and with Drew calling strats, they have the in-game skill and smarts. With their roster finalized and the team living together on LAN, this should give them a huge advantage.
Weaknesses: They have yet to find a method to beat EG every time, and still have a lot of close matches.
Prediction: Top 3. I can't guarantee they will make it to the finals, but they will give every team a run for their money. I could also see them dominating the whole season without an issue.
Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert
Danny "fRoD" Montaner
Matt "Warden" Dickens
Tyler "Storm" Woods
Tomi "lurppis" Kovanen
This is by far one of the most known teams around the world, at least from the US. The former compLexity lineup has been around for the longest time and has given the US scene some very exciting matches. With the late addition of Lurppis, the team has improved their game and stepped it up to the next level. They are still back and forth with compLexity, but have dominated most teams that step in their path.
They want a chance to fight for that first place finish as they barely came up short last season. They were able to take the ESEA finals away from compLexity, but undoubtedly they want the CEVO one too. They have had lots of LAN experience since their return from the CGS and have worked together as a team for a while now. Look for them to show up and show whose boss quickly in the season.
Strengths: Lurppis is calling, this has been a huge help from the team since he replaced hanes. Also with the teamwork they have formed, sometimes they can be unstoppable.
Weaknesses: Drama. Somehow it seems that people like to start drama with them and they tend to jump right into it. As long as they keep their cool and don't let other teams/players get to them, they should be on a roll.
Prediction: In the finals match. I think it will be easy for them to make it to the finals. They have a great lineup and a strong showing. The ESEA finals will show more about this team and their abilities.
Ric "iNERTiA" Bundy
Joe "perez" Perez
Alex "hazard" Martins
Nazar "steno" Vynnytsky
David "zid" Chin
This lineup is the former 00(iDemise) team. For a short while they were sitting at first place in the ESEA-Invite regular season. They shocked a lot of people with how well they performed as a team. This is another chance for them to come out and play with the big dogs again. The only teams they lost to last season were eMg and EG. This being said, some teams may not pose a threat to them in the CEVO-P season.
Under the leadership of Steno and the newer edition of Zid, this team has a ton of potential. They have proved it in ESEA-Invite and will show up to prove it here. They had created teamwork that has let them dominate in many matches and control the game.
Strengths: With a lot of good talent, when they mesh it well, they win.
Weaknesses: Will they be able to stay at the top or will they slump after getting comfortable?
Prediction: Top 5. They will give every team their all, but some teams might find the way to anti-strat them. They have dominated in ESEA, but will they be able to carry it over to CEVO?
Ediz "goodfornothing" Basol
Derrick "impulsive" Truong
Ben "ben" Hui
Shaun "hostile" Catron
Thomas "thoMz" Garcia
This team has been around for a while. They recently took a break as goodfornothing was on vacation, and it seemed that they didn't really care about how they played. They have been a powerhouse team in the past, they just need to get back into the swing of the motion and get the ball rolling. With the official five back in the matchups, they will once again post a big threat.
With goodfornothing back they are able to run strats, be positive, and care about what they are doing. Everything is on the line now and the break is over. They need to step it up now, or it just might not ever happen.
Strengths: They have the talent and ability to do well.
Weaknesses: They have been on a break and have to be willing to put forth the effort to get back up to par.
Prediction: They are coming back, Top5 should be easy for these guys to achieve.
Alex "millipede" Abbott
Chris "truls" Navratil
Sean "gares" Gares
Dustin "dizzaman" Dilyerd
David "Xp3" Garrido
I think you can call this one of the most underrated teams in CEVO-P/ESEA-I. They were able to secure a fourth place finish in the ESEA regular season and have shown signs of improvement. The team also replaced keefers with Xp3, and so far it has been pretty successful. Only time will tell if they will continue to get better or if they have hit their peek. With gares and xp3 added, this team has the ability to frag and do it while executing strats.
The team has a lot of dedication and is backed behind a strong and rebuilding organization. With most of the team being local and playing together for the longest time, they have a shot at making much, much farther. Look for them to shock some teams and work their way to the top.
Strengths: Fragging. That's what most of their team can do. And when they do it, they win.
Weaknesses: Multiple roster changes, they have struggled to keep a set five for a long period of time.
Prediction: 4th again. I don't think they they will be able to beat coL and EG on a consistent basis, but I think they will have a great chance to upset them.
Matt "adr" Caverly
Dave "heller" Marentette
Pedro "YaYooo" Morim
Armeen "a2z" Toussi
Wilson "ryennn" Chen
Sway Gaming has been a top Canadian team for a whole now. They used to fly under the EG.CA flag but have since gone independent again. They are able to keep up with many top US teams but have yet to make a permanent dent into the scene. If they continue on the same path they are on now, they might have the best chance out of any Canadian teams to do something big.
This group has been together for what seems like forever. When they get on fire, they go and don't slow down. Look for them to beat out the lower team teams and struggle a bit with the top teams.
Strengths: Been a team for a while, top Canadian team.
Weaknesses: Still struggles with top teams, the lower teams seem to be easier.
Prediction: Somewhere in the middle. They could make it to playoffs, but I don't expect them to beat out eMg/coL/EG.
Paul "Adrenaline" Baker
Kris "kris" Romillo
Tyler "willson" Willson
Chris "happa" Mcdonald
Jon "Heppler" Heppler
This team has struggled through ESEA. They were able to beat the teams that were not doing much, but they lost time after time to the top three teams. They have a bunch of talent here that can be used in a great way. With another season behind them, they are getting better as a team.
Look for them to surprise you with dominating the lower tier teams and struggling quite a bit against the other teams.
Strengths: Can beat lower tier teams on a daily basis.
Weaknesses: Has not been able to compete with coL/EG.
Prediction: They will be in the bottom four and might inch their way up to fifth place.
Clive "cJ_B" Banarsee
Chris "projeckt" Costoso
Michael "chE" Guevara
Don "b33f" Frain
Jasper "sfX" Ko
This team is a very new team as they have just had a big roster change. They picked up a sponsorship from Blight which includes online and LAN play. After this move a few players left the team and they had to be replaced.
With players like projeckt and chE, they have a good chance to do some damage. Unless they can all get on the same page, they might not be able to help carry the team all the way to the CEVO playoffs.
Strengths: Good, experienced talent.
Weaknesses: Not everyone is up to par with the team.
Prediction: They will not be a top 5 team, but they still have a chance.
Jamie "phz5" Cross
Brennan "eleiNt" Webster
Mike "techtroN" Cox
Scott "bishop" Bishop
Kory "Semphis" Friesen
This is a team that has always been on the fringe of top North American Counter-Strike. Three of these guys have played under the motus flag at one time or another, but they seem to have finally found the right combination of players to break through and qualify for CEVO-P.
A fresh new sponsor in Blight Gaming (something they've never had before) can only help them at this point. That, combined with the recent roster changes to the squad, have turned this into a more focused and determined team.
Strengths: These guys have been playing together for a long time, and have the chemistry and determination to take out the best of teams. Numerous Canadian LAN victories can only help strengthen that chemistry.
Weaknesses: Their inexperience playing the high-end level teams in serious match play will hurt them this season. It will be tough for them to face the top teams like coL and EG.
Prediction: Just shy of the playoffs. They're still new to the division, so they haven't exactly earned a good prediction. However, this experience will only help them improve their game, and they could possibly be a contender in the near future.
Olivier "olibraz" Brazeau Legault
Guillaume "voKal" Brazeau
Maleck "paNda" Picard
Jean Sebastien "d00m" Collins
Mikael "knave" Denis
This is a team that has DOMINATED the ESEA-Main scene. With only two very close losses, they were not really challenged throughout the season. It seems that they do deserve their shot in CEVO-P and proved that in the placement tournament. With a solid roster and players who have played together for a while, they have a chance but also lack experience playing at the top level.
Strengths: A top Canadian team with a strong showing in ESEA-Main.
Weaknesses: Lack of experience as a team in CEVO-P, give them a season or two and it might be a different story.
Prediction: Maybe last. They do not have as much experience playing with the top teams but will get there soon.
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