The brackets for the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Online Final on July 9 (NA) and 10 (EU) have been confirmed and will provide us with some of the most exciting matchups possible. With young upstarts like Lucky Bounce and Supersonic Avengers taking on top established teams like Kings of Urban and Flipsid3 Tactics, this tournament's action won't disappoint.
Can Lucky Bounce maintain its amazing form? Will Exodus overcome its biblical rivals? Can We Dem Girlz and FlipSid3 Tactics continue their impressive reign? Here's how we predict the sets will pan out.
North America Match 1: Lucky Bounce vs. Kings of Urban
Two weeks ago, we would have told you this match would be a simple matter for Kings of Urban: 4-0 or 4-1, no contest. Now, though, this looks to be a very close series between two very good teams. Looking back at the group stage, Lucky Bounce took a 3-2 win over Kings in a tight series, squeaking past it in game five. In addition, over the course of the RLCS, Lucky Bounce edge out Kings by two goals, 97-95, as well as having a one better goal differential. Lucky Bounce also have the NA MVP of the tournament and possibly the most in-form player in the world, Jacob "Darkfire" Gurrola, playing for it.
All considered, this best-of-seven will come down to one person: Darkfire. If Darkfire continues his blistering form and astounding partnership with Kyle "Torment" Storer, Lucky Bounce will take this series.
Prediction: Lucky Bounce 4-2 Kings of Urban
Key player: Darkfire
North America Match 2: Exodus vs Genesis
Exodus vs. Genesis will be a fight of biblical proportions. Both have solid defenses (second and third place in the NA league, respectively), but it's Exodus that have managed to consistently out-pressure opponents with the second most shots in the region. Genesis will have to figure out how to put the pressure on Exodus and especially Caleb "Moses" Nichols, its star player. When Moses scores, Exodus are 16-4, when he doesn't, it is 5-10.
Exodus, on the other hand, will seek to shut down Genesis' Adam "Espeon" Barth, who is currently in ninth place in goals scored in the NA league. This will certainly be a game of pressure, with Exodus looking to stick to its incessant shooting style while Genesis will seek to keep the scores low and eke out the wins.
Prediction: Exodus 4-1 Genesis
Key player: Moses
Europe Match 1: FlipSid3 Tactics vs. Supersonic Avengers
FlipSid3 Tactics are the best team in the world. Its star Mark "Markydooda" Exton is the best player in the world. I cannot say those points enough. The supercharged Flipsid3, powered by group stage Golden Tire winner Markydooda, look to be on an easy path to the Grand Finals. Beyond the simply breathtaking Markydooda, Michael "M1k3rules" Costello and Francesco "Kuxir97" Cinequemani are in the form of their lives and playing some of the best Rocket League that has ever been seen. Supersonic Avengers will look to spoil the Marky Party, but unfortunately it's scored 31 fewer goals in the RLCS so far and managed a damning 51 fewer shots.
Supersonic Avengers have the components of a very good team. If it can come together and gel today, anything is possible. However, it won't be easy, it isn't likely, and Supersonic Avengers will have to dig deep to have a chance. Supersonic's only road to August's International Live Finals is a sweep of the Online Final, so it will have all its hopes riding on this set. Sadly for Supersonic Avengers, it looks like F3 and Markydooda will only entertain those hopes for four games.
Prediction: FlipSid3 Tactics 4-0 Supersonic Avengers
Key Player: Markydooda
Europe Match 2: We Dem Girlz vs. Mockit EU
Match 2 of Europe looks to be the closest of the day, pitting We Dem Girlz, the heirs to the FlipSid3 throne, against Mockit EU, the cheese sandwiched firmly between the top and bottom tiers of European Rocket League. We Dem Girlz outscore Mockit by 30 in the league overall, but that is to be expected, as We Dem Girlz are all about scoring hard and scoring fast with a high pressure, shots-on-goal style.
Mockit, on the other hand, are the second best defensive team in Europe with only 54 goals allowed in the RLCS. If Mockit can manage to contain We Dem Girlz's offense, it could cause WDG some problems. Mockit's resolve, however, will likely be shattered by the incredible aggression of WDG's Remco "Remkoe" De Boer and Nicolai "Maestro" Bang, who are Europe's second and third highest goal scorers, respectively. Mockit may not be ready to ascend to the very top of European Rocket League, but it's close, and it will show us why.
Prediction: We Dem Girlz 4-3 Mockit
Key Player: Remkoe
With old guard stalwarts having to face off against the up-and-coming challengers, this event could herald a changing of the guard, especially in North America. Europe, on the other hand, looks set in its ways and doesn't seem likely to have any triumphant new blood this tournament. Finally, here is our prediction for the tournament overall:
NA:
1st: Exodus
2nd: Lucky Bounce
3rd: Kings of Urban
4th: Genesis
EU:
1st: FlipSid3 Tactics
2nd: We Dem Girlz
3rd: Mockit
4th: Supersonic Avengers