Imperial's duo impresses in Dust2.us' Team of the Month for June 2023

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

This monthly award is handed out to the most impressive tier-one professional North American talents, as well as the best players inside of the second tier, most notably teams competing in the ESL Challenger’s League. Lastly, to highlight the next best upcoming talent inside of 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.

Kicking the list off is one half of Imperial’s chosen duo, making his second TOTM appearance, Jhonatan “JOTA” Willian, who showed off his incredible highs during the 16 maps played in June. Besides beating up on domestic competition, he showed off his talent against the likes of Vitality, Complexity, and Heroic. His impact was pivotal in wins over Vitality and Complexity, and equally as crucial in the three-map loss to Heroic, where he ended a map they dropped with nearly 30-frags. Despite it being a lull period for most players, JOTA used the opportunity to showcase himself as a top talent in the region against regional and international foes.

Second on the list is Vinicius “VINI” Figueiredo, who also showcased himself in June alongside JOTA just ahead of the offseason break. He shined on multiple occasions during the BLAST Premier Spring Final, ending each of the four series with highlights to lean on. The peak of his performance in June came against Heroic, where he ended the 16-11 Inferno win with 32 frags. With the two of Imperial’s players being snatched by FURIA, JOTA and VINI’s high performances could not have come at a better time.

Noun’s Edgar “MarKE” Maldonado makes his debut on the TOTM list following an impressive showing entirely against fellow North American foes in Cash Cup competition. His highlights in June came during the ESEA Cash Cup Circuit S1 Finals, specifically in his consistent six-map form to get his team into the Finals, where he and his team would beat out ATK to take gold. With the re-acquisition of Bobby “stamina” Eitrem, time will tell if the new IGL can help the already-talented star rifler hit an even higher level.

WITHOUTWARNING’s Andrew “Tender” Cote also debuts in this month’s list after ending ESEA Advanced S45 playoffs as the best performer amongst the group of talented players. He ended top three in rating, K/D, and K/D difference while also helping his team take first place. Tender capitalized at the right time to look head and shoulders above the rest while also claiming a seat in next season’s ECL.

Taking the fifth spot is Wildcard's star AWPer Keller "SLIGHT" Nilan. He was electric at the Cash Cup Finals, ending the event with the highest rating and highest K/D plus-minus across 14 maps. His 1.49 K/D over the event with the AWP is outright dominant against fellow top NA upcomers, and is the reason for his second selection on the list.

9z's coach Gustavo "tge" Motta earns the Coach of the Month award for June for making the most of their activity during a somewhat inactive month for most. They beat out ATK and Nouns to secure first in a Cash Cup before taking out paiN at ESL Challenger Katowice. Their sole series loss came at the hands of Virtus.Pro, one they’ll be able to avenge soon at FiReLEAGUE Battle.

Dust2’s Team of the Month for June is:

• Jhonatan “JOTA” Willian

• Vinicius “VINI” Figueiredo

• Edgar “MarKE” Maldonado

• Andrew “Tender” Cote

• Keller “SLIGHT” Nilan

• Gustavo “tge” Motta (Coach)