A returning prospect debuts in Dust2.us’ TOTM for March 2023

At the beginning of each month, Dust2.us commemorates the best players inside the Americas Counter-Strike scene by awarding five domestic talents and one coach over the three major competitive layers as members of Dust2.us’ Team of the Month.

This monthly award is handed out to the most impressive tier-one professional Americas talents, as well as the best players inside of the second tier, most notably teams competing in ESL Challenger League. Lastly, to highlight the next best upcoming talent inside the scene, at least one spot is given to the best player in ESEA Advanced over the month.

The aim of this award is not only to continue to spread the good word of some of the best players in the scene today but also to give a platform of discovery to rising talents who may dominate the servers of tomorrow. As a part of the mission to improve our coverage within the scene, monthly recognition of the best players across the region comes as a natural step in growth.

In our efforts to continue highlighting the performances of the region’s best talents, it is only right that the coaches receive the proper spotlight. Accompanying the five players chosen for the Team of the Month will also be the Coach of the Month, to ensure the mind behind the talent gets its deserved recognition. You can find the all-time TOTM appearance list here.

As expected, the TOTM king and newly dubbed two-time Grand Slam winner Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken is back on the list for the seventh time. FaZe’s ESL Pro League victory put Twistzz in a league of his own as the only talent to win a Major and two Grand Slams. Some would say it a more impressive feat than his seven Dust2 TOTM selections.

FURIA’s Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato has an uncanny way of delivering in the server regardless of his team’s overall form. A treadmill performance at ESL Pro League for FURIA did not stop KSCERATO from making his impact win or lose. Closing EPL top seven in rating is evident enough that he will find ways to keep his team competitive whether they want to be or not.

Going back-to-back on the TOTM after his debut is Felipe “insani” Yuji. He was once again a monster for MIBR, closing ECL and CCT with 1.37 and 1.47 ratings, respectively. MIBR has been a different beast since his joining and insani is looking to be one for the future of Brazil.

After some sporadic appearances in January and February, returning AWPer Paytyn “junior” Johnson is back in full swing with EG Black, dominating the domestic competition in ways NA spectators have become familiar with. Only six of his 36 played maps ended with him below a 1.0 rating, and he closed three of his four played events at least eighth in rating. After some time off, junior appears to be back full-time and without a doubt has fit in nicely back inside of the domestic battle.

X13’s Mohamed “Penguin” Algadir debuts in the final slot after an MVP-caliber performance inside the ESEA Advanced S44 playoffs. 324 frags and 101 ADR in 328 rounds are just two unreal statistics surrounding this ADV star’s playoff form. As expected, this level of play earned him and his team first place in ADV, sending them directly to next season’s ECL group play.

paiN’s stellar form in March earns their coach Henrique “rikz” Waku a seat on the list for his second time. Wins over OG, Liquid, and a surging MIBR capped off a huge month for rikz and his team as they enter the Americas RMR arguably in better form than every other attendee.

Dust2’s Team of the Month for April 2023 is:

• Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken

• Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato

• Felipe “insani” Yuji

• Paytyn “junior” Johnson

• Mohamed “Penguin” Algadir

• Henrique “rikz” Waku (Coach)