Verizon 5G Ultra Cup Preview
The RLCS kicks back off with the Verizon 5G Ultra Cup this weekend, following a month-long break after the Winter Major. Sixteen of North America’s top teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket for vital points towards the upcoming Spring Major in London, and ultimately the World Championship in Dallas. Last time out, G2 Esports took home the Winter Major victory, their first RLCS LAN and North America’s first international title this season. They vaulted to the top of the North American point rankings, one point ahead of The General NRG.
Coming off the Major
So far this season, G2 Esports, The General NRG, FaZe Clan, and Version1 have combined to win all six regional events. That group comprises four of the top five in the points rankings, which is rounded out by Spacestation Gaming. These five teams were also the Winter Major qualifiers, and they had varying results. G2 Esports got the victory, but Spacestation Gaming also had an excellent run, losing to G2 Esports in the Upper Finals before taking third place overall. FaZe Clan were right behind in fourth, having beaten Version1 (fifth-sixth overall) the round before.
However, The General NRG, North America’s #1 seed going into the event, struggled throughout. They failed to make it to the portion of the event with a crowd, losing to Team Queso and falling to a twelfth-place finish. It was the first time all season the General NRG finished worse than fourth in an event, and they’ll be hungry to bounce back.
The next three teams in the standings are Complexity Gaming, Team Envy, and Oxygen Esports. Complexity Gaming and Team Envy both qualified for the Fall Major before disappointing Winter Splits, while Oxygen Esports have turned into contenders after the acquisition of gimmick following the Fall Split. North America is currently only guaranteed five spots at the World Championships/Wildcard, so all three will be looking to break into those spots. Team Envy was the only team in the top eight to make a roster change in this window, bringing former coach Allushin to the starting trio and sending Turbopulsa to the bench. Complexity Gaming will also be confident they can regain their Fall Split form after a strong end to the Winter Split.
The Bracket
(image courtesy of Rocket League Esports)
G2 Esports vs. Friends
G2 Esports are now the number one seed in North America after winning the Winter Major, and will be strong contenders to win nearly any event. In the first round, they’ll play against qualifier team Friends, who are only the second all-rookie roster in Europe or North America this season. They went 3-1 in the closed qualifier, with all three wins coming against other qualifying teams, and are certainly capable of a bracket-shaking upset.
Team Envy vs. Complexity Gaming
An early meeting for two of North America’s best could have drastic consequences, as one of them will be sent to the lower bracket immediately. One bad result can cause a team to miss out on the Spring Major, so this match could be the difference in qualification for London. The two teams met once in the Winter Split, with Complexity Gaming taking a 3-1 win in the group stage of the X Games Open.
Version1 vs. AllMid
Version1 are reigning champions in North America, having won the Mobil1 Mountain Classic last time out. They followed it up with a strong performance in the Winter Major, and have joined the short list of contenders in North America. AllMid are in their second event in a row after making their RLCS 2021-22 debuts in the Mobil1 Mountain Classic, though they failed to pick up a win last time.
The General NRG vs. Ghost Gaming
The General NRG made the Grand Finals of the first events of the Fall and Winter Splits, and will be hoping for a repeat performance in the Spring. They’re also looking to bounce back from their disappointing Winter Major and reclaim the top spot in North America. After a difficult Winter Split which included only one win and missing out on an event, Ghost Gaming are back in the RLCS following the addition of the veteran hockser. These two teams met twice in the Fall Split, with The General NRG winning both.
FaZe Clan vs. AXLE-R8
FaZe Clan took home fourth place in both Majors to date, and have solidified themselves as one of North America’s top teams. They’ve had more time to gel with Sypical after adding him before the Winter Split, and will be looking to get their first tournament victory since the very first event of the season. AXLE-R8 are back in the RLCS for the first time since the Fall Split, coming out of the closed qualifier with a 3-2 record.
Rogue vs. Susquehanna Soniqs
Rogue have qualified for every event so far this season, and had a strong Winter Split after signing young star aqua. They’ll be hoping that the experience he’s gained will help push them into contention for the Spring Major, and potentially the World Championship. The Susquehanna Soniqs have qualified for every event but one, and have a chance to push into a Worlds spot with a strong Spring Split. The two teams just met in the closed qualifier, with the Soniqs taking a close 3-2 victory.
Spacestation Gaming vs. Akrew
Spacestation Gaming and their new superstar Daniel will hope to follow up on a strong Winter Major performance with another successful event. They open with Akrew, who will be playing in their fourth event of the RLCS season after making it out of the closed qualifier. They had qualified for three straight at the end of the Fall Split and beginning of the Winter Split, but missed on the last two before their return this weekend. Akrew has picked up multiple wins in two of their three events, and they’ve met Spacestation Gaming once before, with Spacestation taking a 3-1 victory.
Oxygen Esports vs. Charlotte Phoenix
One of the breakout teams of the Winter Split, Oxygen Esports will look to build on three consecutive top-six placements with a strong Spring Split. They’re still in range of a World Championship berth, and they open against a strong Charlotte Phoenix side. Charlotte Phoenix will be playing in their fifth event of the season, after dominating the closed qualifier by going a perfect 3-0.
Make sure to tune into the Verizon 5G Ultra Cup this weekend, beginning at 1pm EDT Friday - Sunday. If you missed out on any of the roster moves, click here to get caught up. With Spring Major and World Championship spots on the line, every match matters. Team streams on Friday will supplement the main channel, which covers every match all weekend at twitch.tv/rocketleague.
