Mythic and Cloud9 secure spots at WESG 2017 Americas Regional Finals
After burning through the playoff stage of the regional qualifiers, Mythic and Cloud9 have solidified their spots moving forward for the America Regional Finals. With two of the four quarter-finals being forfeitted and one being a BYE round for Cloud9, it was a rather uneventful process. The qualifier ended in quick 2-0's from both finalists to secure their spots at the offline regionals. The semi-final match recaps can be found below.
Mythic vs Bushido Boyz (2-0)
The veterans of Mythic met their opponents first on Mirage. They began to runaway with the map from the start, winning the first five consecutive rounds. Bushido Boyz struggled to string anything together throughout the half, leading to an 11-4 score before they switched sides. The match got flipped on it's head when Bushido Boyz mirrored the actions of Mythic by taking the pistol and the subsequent three rounds after on their T-side. Despite being able to get back in the game with a decent offensive side, they couldn't overcome the round deficit before Mythic closed out the map 16-12.
The second map was even closer as both teams showed strong T-side halves on Inferno. Bushido Boyz looked to be making a strong comeback by leading the first half 10-5 as they switched to CT-side. In an odd showing the only four rounds that Bushido Boyz took during their defense ended in defusals. Mythic closed it out in a narrow finish 16-14.
Cloud9 vs Muffin Lightning (2-0)
After a fairly standard pick-ban phase in the map veto the two teams would decide to meet on Train, picked by Cloud9, Cache by Muffin Lightning, with a decider on Inferno.
Train was a back and forth affair as it can sometimes be. Cloud9 narrowly took the pistol round on their T-side and struggled to maintain their economy midway through the half, due to a solid defense from the CT's. They closed out the half strong with four straight rounds to end it 9-6 in their favor. Muffin Lightning answered in kind with an explosive first 3 rounds in their favor to kick off their T-side. Unable to maintain any economic momentum, Cloud9 eventually take the map in a close 16-13 scoreline. Sam "SileNt" Portillo would later lament that his team were unable to close out a win on the map.
Cache was an absolute blowout for the boys in blue as Muffin Lightning could only accrue three rounds on their CT-side before Cloud9 won through eleven consecutive rounds to close out the half 12-3. With little room for error and momentum being in C9's favor, they expectedly closed out the map and series 16-5.
WESG 2017 United States will finish up tonight, with Cloud9 playing Mythic for seeding purposes, and Bushido Boyz playing Muffin Lightning to see who will claim the third and final Regionals spot.