2021 Dallas Fuel season

The 2021 Dallas Fuel season was the Dallas Fuel's fourth season in the Overwatch League and the team's first under head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won. The team qualified for three of the four midseason tournaments throughout the regular season and won the franchise's first Overwatch League title after defeating the Shanghai Dragons in the May Melee finals. Finishing the regular season atop the West region, the Fuel reached the season playoffs for the first time in the franchise's history; however, they were defeated by the Atlanta Reign in the lower bracket finals. Head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won won the league's Coach of the Year award, damage player Kim "Sp9rk1e" Yeong-han was awarded the league's Dennis Hawelka Award, and four players were awarded Role Star commendations, tied for the most players in the league.

2021 Dallas Fuel season
West Region champions
Head coachYun "RUSH" Hee-won
General managerMathew Taylor
OwnerEnvy Gaming
RegionWest
Results
Record11–5 (.688)
Place
May MeleeChampions
June JoustFinals
Summer ShowdownLower finals
Countdown CupRegional semifinals
Season PlayoffsLower final
Total Earnings$555,000

Preceding offseason

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Organizational changes

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In October 2020, the Fuel signed former Overwatch Contenders team Element Mystic head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won as the Fuel's new head coach.[1] The following week, they signed Go "Aid" Jae-yoon as an assistant coach and confirmed that 2020 interim head coach Kim "Yong" Yong-jin would remain with the team as an assistant coach.[2]

Roster changes

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The Fuel roster heading into the 2021 season. From left to right: SP9RK1E, Doha, Rapel, Fearless, Xzi, Hanbin, Fielder, Jecse

The Fuel entered the free agency with nine free agents, all of which became free agents due to the Fuel not exercising the option to retain the player for another year.[3]

Acquisitions

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The Fuel's first offseason acquisition were Kim "SP9RK1E" Young-han and Choi "Hanbin" Han-been, damage players who were both acquired from the Paris Eternal on October 23, 2020.[1] Four days later, the Fuel addressed their support line with the signings of Kwon "Fielder" Joon, a "big impact" support player for the Paris Eternal in 2020, and Kim "Rapel" Jung-keun, a "serviceable backup and second option" support player who played for the Houston Outlaws in 2020.[4] The Fuel acquired several players in November; on November 7, 2020, they acquired Lee "Fearless" Eui-seok, a tank player who was "considered arguably the best main tank player in the world" with the Shanghai Dragons the previous season.[5] The Fuel added another support player three days later with the signing of Lee "Jecse" Seung-soo, a third-year support player who also played for the Outlaws in 2020.[6] On November 14, 2020, Dallas acquired Jung "Xzi" Ki-hyo, a damage player and hitscan specialist who was an Overwatch League MVP finalist in 2020, from the Paris Eternal.[7]

Departures

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None of the Fuel's nine free agents returned, four of which signing with other teams, beginning with support player Jung "Closer" Won-sik signing with the Washington Justice on November 20, 2020.[8] Four days later, support player William "Crimzo" Hernandez signed with the Houston Outlaws.[9] On December 9, 2020, the Fuel lost damage player Stefan "Onigod" Fiskerstrand, who signed with Paris Eternal,[10] and support player Nolan "Paintbrush" Edwards, who signed with Overwatch Contenders team Revival.[11] Four of the Fuel's free agents retired: damage player Dylan "AKM" Bignet,[12] tank player Noh "Gamsu" Young-jin,[13] tank player Ashley "Trill" Powell,[14] and support player Benjamin "Unkoe" Chevasson.[14] Dallas' final free agent, tank player Lucas "Note" Meissner did not sign with a team in the offseason. Outside of their free agents, the Fuel parted ways with damage player Jung "Xzi" Ki-hyo on April 13, 2021, leaving the Fuel without a dedicated hitscan player; Jung had signed with the earlier in the offseason but retired from professional Overwatch due health issues.[15]

Regular season

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The Fuel began their 2021 season on April 16, playing against in-state rival Houston Outlaws in the May Melee qualifiers. After trading wins throughout the first four maps, the Fuel lost the match after losing map five.[16] The Fuel finished the qualifiers with a 2–2 win–loss record and qualified for the regional knockout round as the Western region's sixth, and final, seed.[17] Dallas defeated the San Francisco Shock and the Houston Outlaws in the knockouts to advance to the interregional tournament bracket.[18] Entering as the Western region's second seed, Dallas faced the Eastern region's top-seeded Chengdu Hunters on May 6 in the first round of the double-elimination tournament. Still without a dedicated hitscan player after Jung "Xzi" Ki-hyo departed late in the offseason, Dallas ran an "off-brand rush meta that finishes fights quickly," and after the Hunters won the third map of the series, which ended the Fuel's 11-map winning streak, Dallas won a "scrappy" fourth map to advance to the upper bracket finals.[19] The Fuel took on the Shanghai Dragons in the upper finals on May 7. After five maps, the series was tied 2–2; a series-ending pulse-bomb from Kim "Sp9rk1e" Yeong-han playing as Tracer gave the Fuel the win and advanced the team to their first-ever Overwatch League final.[20] After the Dragons made their way through the lower bracket of the tournament, the two teams again faced each other in the May Melee Grand Finals. After a back-and-forth series, the Fuel were ahead 3–2 going into the sixth map. In map six, Dallas' Kim "Sp9rk1e" Yeong-han effectively played as Soldier: 76, giving tank player Lee "Fearless" Eui-seok "infinite space … to cause chaos;" the Fuel won the series 4–2, giving the franchise their first Overwatch League title.[21]

Prior to the beginning of following tournament cycle, the June Joust, the Fuel signed hitscan specialist Kim "Pine" Do-hyeon.[22] Dallas won three of their four qualifying matches — the one loss being to the Shock, which snapped the Fuel's seven-game winning streak in the process.[23][24] In the regional knockouts, the Fuel defeated the Los Angeles Gladiators and Houston Outlaws to advance to their second consecutive midseason tournament.[25] In the first round of the tournament, the Fuel defeated the Dragons in a 3–0 sweep.[26] The win advanced them to the upper bracket finals, where the Fuel took down the Atlanta Reign, 3–1, behind strong performances by their damage players Kim "Doha" Dong-ha and Kim "Sp9rk1e" Yeong-han.[27] After the Dragons advanced through the lower bracket, the Fuel once again faced the Dragons in the tournament finals. Midway through the match, the Fuel found themselves up 3–1 in the first-to-four series. However, Dallas lost the following three maps, losing the match 3–4.[28]

The Fuel went undefeated in their four qualifying matches of the Summer Showdown, the third tournament cycle of the regular season.[29] In the qualifiers, the Fuel hosted the team's first live event since February 2020 at Esports Stadium Arlington.[30] In the regional knockouts, Dallas received a bye in the first round, advancing them directly to the regional finals, where they defeated the Washington Justice.[31] In their third consecutive tournament appearance, Dallas faced the Chengdu Hunters in the first round. The Fuel took an early lead, winning the first map of the series, but lost the following three to lose the match 1–3, dropping them to the lower bracket of the tournament.[32] After defeating the Reign in the first round of the lower bracket, Dallas was handed its worse loss of the season in a 0–3 loss to the Hunters in the lower bracket finals.[33]

In the final tournament cycle of the regular season, the Countdown Cup, the Fuel went 2–2 in the qualifiers,[34] and in the regional knockouts, they fell to the Shock, marking the first time in the season they did not qualify for a midseason tournament.[35] In regards to the team's poor performance in the tournament cycle, Fuel head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won stated that he had "lessened the amount of practice" the players were having due to the amount of work and travel the players had been experiencing throughout the season.[36]

The team finished the regular season at the top of the standings in the West region with 11 wins, 5 losses, 17 league points.[37] The finish gave them the second seed in the season playoffs, behind the top-seeded Shanghai Dragons.[38] Head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won was named the league's coach of the year and damage player Kim "SP9RK1E" Yeong-han received the Dennis Hawelka award.[39] Additionally, Kim "SP9RK1E" Young-han, Lee "Fearless" Eui-seok, Choi "Hanbin" Han-been, and Joon "Fielder" Kwon awarded Role Star commendations. With four players, the Fuel were tied with the Dragons for the most players receiving the award.[40]

Playoffs

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Dallas selected the eighth-seeded Washington Justice as their opponent for the first round of the season playoffs.[41] Dallas won the match, 3–1, advancing to the second round of the upper bracket.[42] The team next swept the third-seeded Chengdu Hunters, 3–0, advancing them to the upper bracket finals.[43] Moving on to the upper bracket finals, the Fuel faced the top-seeded Shanghai Dragons, marking the fifth time the two teams had played each other in a midseason or season playoff match in the 2021 season. Despite keeping the maps close, the Fuel lost the match, 1–3, sending them to the lower bracket.[44] Sent to the lower bracket finals, the Fuel next faced the fifth-seeded Atlanta Reign. The two teams were tied 1–1 after two maps, but the Fuel lost the following two maps, losing the match 1–3 and ending their playoff run.[45]

Final roster

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2021 Dallas Fuel roster
Players Coaches
Role No. Handle Name Nationality
Damage 20 Doha Kim Dong-ha South Korea
Damage 1 Sp9rk1e Kim Yeong-han South Korea
Damage 24 Pine Kim Do-hyeon South Korea
Tank 8 Fearless Lee Eui-seok South Korea
Tank 11 Hanbin Choi Han-been South Korea
Support 21 Jecse Lee Seung-soo South Korea
Support 31 Fielder Kwon Joon South Korea
Support 7 Rapel Kim Jun-keun South Korea
Head coach
  • Yun "RUSH" Hee-won

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: May 10, 2021.

Transactions

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Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2021 regular season:

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W L Pts PCT MW ML MT MD Qualification
1 Dallas Fuel 16 11 5 17 0.688 40 26 3 +14 Advance to season playoffs
2 Los Angeles Gladiators 16 11 5 14 0.688 41 21 0 +20
3 Atlanta Reign 16 11 5 13 0.688 41 21 0 +20
4 San Francisco Shock 16 12 4 12 0.750 43 24 2 +19 Advance to play-ins
5 Houston Outlaws 16 11 5 11 0.688 34 24 3 +10
6 Washington Justice 16 9 7 9 0.563 29 26 2 +3
7 Toronto Defiant 16 9 7 9 0.563 31 31 0 0
8 Paris Eternal 16 8 8 8 0.500 32 32 2 0
9 Boston Uprising 16 7 9 7 0.438 27 31 1 −4
10 Florida Mayhem 16 5 11 6 0.313 26 38 2 −12
11 London Spitfire 16 1 15 1 0.063 12 47 1 −35
12 Vancouver Titans 16 1 15 1 0.063 10 45 0 −35
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential

Game log

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Regular season

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2021 game log
May Melee
Qualifier match 1 April 16 Houston Outlaws 3 2 Dallas Fuel Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 1
2 King's Row 3
3 Havana 2
3 Volskaya Industries 4
2 Ilios 0
Qualifier match 2 April 17 Dallas Fuel 3 1 Los Angeles Gladiators Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
4 Blizzard World 3
2 Dorado 3
2 Temple of Anubis 1
Qualifier match 3 April 24 Washington Justice 3 1 Dallas Fuel Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Ilios 0
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 5
2 Hanamura 1
4 Eichenwalde 3
Qualifier match 4 April 25 Boston Uprising 0 3 Dallas Fuel Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
0 Nepal 2
1 Havana 2
3 Volskaya Industries 4
Regional semifinals May 02 Dallas Fuel 3 0 San Francisco Shock Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
2 Volskaya Industries 1
3 Eichenwalde 1
Regional finals May 02 Dallas Fuel 3 0 Houston Outlaws Online
6:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
3 Volskaya Industries 2
4 Blizzard World 3
Tournament first round May 06 Dallas Fuel 3 1 Chengdu Hunters Online
10:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Nepal 1
2 Temple of Anubis 1
0 Blizzard World 1
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
Upper finals May 07 Dallas Fuel 3 2 Shanghai Dragons Online
8:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Ilios 0
2 Temple of Anubis 2
1 Blizzard World 2
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
0 Oasis 2
2 Dorado 0
Grand finals May 08 Shanghai Dragons 2 4 Dallas Fuel Online
8:00 pm CDT    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Temple of Anubis 0
2 King's Row 3
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
2 Ilios 0
1 Blizzard World 2

June Joust
Qualifier match 1 May 28 London Spitfire 0 3 Dallas Fuel Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
0 Nepal 2
1 Junkertown 3
2 Hanamura 3
Qualifier match 2 May 30 Dallas Fuel 1 3 San Francisco Shock Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
1 Busan 2
1 Dorado 2
3 Temple of Anubis 3
3 Eichenwalde 1
1 Ilios 2
Qualifier match 3 June 03 Dallas Fuel 3 2 Florida Mayhem Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
1 Lijiang Tower 2
3 Hanamura 2
4 Hollywood 3
1 Junkertown 3
2 Oasis 0
Qualifier match 4 June 05 Vancouver Titans 0 3 Dallas Fuel Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
0 Oasis 2
0 Volskaya Industries 2
0 Numbani 3
Regional semifinals June 06 Dallas Fuel 3 0 Houston Outlaws Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
2 Hanamura 1
3 Eichenwalde 2
Regional finals June 06 Dallas Fuel 3 1 Los Angeles Gladiators Online
4:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Oasis 1
3 Hanamura 2
0 Hollywood 1
3 Junkertown 2
Tournament first round June 10 Dallas Fuel 3 0 Shanghai Dragons Online
9:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
2 Volskaya Industries 1
3 Numbani 2
Upper finals June 11 Dallas Fuel 3 1 Atlanta Reign Online
8:00 pm CDT    Details
1 Nepal 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
3 Numbani 2
2 Rialto 1
Grand finals June 12 Shanghai Dragons 4 3 Dallas Fuel Online
8:00 pm CDT    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
0 Volskaya Industries 2
2 Numbani 1
3 Rialto 4
2 Busan 1
3 Eichenwalde 2
2 Junkertown 1

Summer Showdown
Qualifier match 1 July 03 Dallas Fuel 3 2 Florida Mayhem Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
2 Hanamura 0
3 Hollywood 4
2 Oasis 0
Qualifier match 2 July 04 Atlanta Reign 2 3 Dallas Fuel Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
1 Nepal 2
3 Route 66 1
0 Temple of Anubis 2
3 Eichenwalde 2
0 Busan 2
Qualifier match 3 July 09 Dallas Fuel 3 0 Houston Outlaws Arlington, TX
5:00 pm CDT    Details Esports Stadium Arlington
2 Oasis 0
2 Hanamura 2
2 Hollywood 1
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
Qualifier match 4 July 10 Toronto Defiant 1 3 Dallas Fuel Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
0 Busan 2
1 Volskaya Industries 2
2 King's Row 1
1 Junkertown 3
Regional finals July 11 Washington Justice 2 3 Dallas Fuel Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
1 Volskaya Industries 2
1 King's Row 3
2 Route 66 1
0 Nepal 2
Tournament first round July 15 Chengdu Hunters 3 1 Dallas Fuel Online
8:00 pm CDT    Details
1 Lijiang Tower 2
4 Volskaya Industries 3
3 King's Row 2
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
Lower round 1 July 16 Atlanta Reign 2 3 Dallas Fuel Online
10:15 pm CDT    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
2 Hanamura 1
5 King's Row 6
3 Route 66 2
1 Nepal 2
Lower finals July 17 Chengdu Hunters 3 0 Dallas Fuel Online
12:35 am CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Temple of Anubis 2
2 King's Row 1

Countdown Cup
Qualifier match 1 July 30 Dallas Fuel 2 3 Paris Eternal Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
1 Lijiang Tower 2
5 Blizzard World 4
0 Havana 3
2 Temple of Anubis 1
1 Oasis 2
Qualifier match 2 July 31 Dallas Fuel 3 2 San Francisco Shock Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Ilios 1
2 Numbani 3
4 Rialto 3
1 Hanamura 2
2 Lijiang Tower 1
Qualifier match 3 August 07 Dallas Fuel 3 1 London Spitfire Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Nepal 0
0 Route 66 3
3 Volskaya Industries 3
3 King's Row 0
2 Busan 1
Qualifier match 4 August 08 Atlanta Reign 3 1 Dallas Fuel Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
4 Rialto 3
3 Temple of Anubis 4
3 Blizzard World 0
Regional semifinals August 15 Dallas Fuel 0 3 San Francisco Shock Online
3:45 pm CDT    Details
0 Oasis 2
3 Temple of Anubis 4
1 Blizzard World 3

2021 season schedule

Postseason

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2021 playoff game log
Season Playoffs
Upper round 1 September 21 Washington Justice 1 3 Dallas Fuel Online
6:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
1 Volskaya Industries 2
2 King's Row 3
3 Havana 4
Upper round 2 September 22 Chengdu Hunters 0 3 Dallas Fuel Online
9:00 pm CDT    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
2 Volskaya Industries 3
0 Eichenwalde 3
Upper final September 23 Dallas Fuel 1 3 Shanghai Dragons Online
9:30 pm CDT    Details
0 Ilios 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
2 Numbani 3
1 Dorado 3
Lower final September 24 Atlanta Reign 3 1 Dallas Fuel Online
9:30 pm CDT    Details
1 Lijiang Tower 2
2 Hanamura 1
4 King's Row 3
3 Dorado 2

References

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  1. ^ a b Collins, Sean (October 23, 2020). "Dallas Fuel complete blockbuster deal, acquire 'RUSH', 'SP9RK1E' and 'Hanbin' from Paris Eternal". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Collins, Sean (October 28, 2020). "Dallas Fuel bring back 'Yong,' add 'Aid' as assistant coach". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Howard, Brandon (October 29, 2020). "Fielder Joins A Strong Dallas Fuel Roster". TheGamer. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Howard, Brandon (November 9, 2020). "Dallas Fuel Sign Fearless From Shanghai Dragons". TheGamer. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Michael, Cale (November 10, 2020). "Dallas Fuel signs Jecse to pair with multiple former teammates". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Johnson, Xavier (November 14, 2020). "Dallas Fuel acquires Xzi from Paris Eternal". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  8. ^ Richardson, Liz (January 8, 2021). "Overwatch League 2020 offseason trade tracker". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Johnson, Xavier (November 24, 2020). "Crimzo joins the Houston Outlaws". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Field Level Media (December 9, 2020). "Paris Eternal begins roster overhaul with six additions". Reuters. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  11. ^ Revival [@TheRevivalGG] (December 9, 2020). "Revival Gauntlet 2020" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2021 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ S., Jessica (October 19, 2020). "Former Overwatch pros aKm, uNKOE announce move to Valorant". win.gg. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  13. ^ Richardson, Liz (October 17, 2020). "Dallas Fuel releases Gamsu, confirms roster reconstruction". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Overwatch League free agency 2021 -- signings, rosters and schedules". ESPN. November 10, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  15. ^ Collins, Sean (April 13, 2021). "Dallas Fuel star DPS 'Xzi' to retire from Overwatch League, seek medical attention for back condition". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Field Level Media (April 16, 2021). "Shock, Outlaws win Overwatch League openers". Reuters. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Field Level Media (May 1, 2021). "Trio of teams set for May Melee with critical wins". Reuters. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  18. ^ Collins, Sean (May 2, 2021). "Dallas Fuel smash San Francisco, Houston to qualify for May Melee with best Overwatch in franchise history". The Dallas Mornings News. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
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  20. ^ Collins, Sean (May 8, 2021). "After toppling Shanghai, Dallas Fuel can do something they've never done before: Win a championship". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  21. ^ Richardson, Liz (May 8, 2021). "Dallas Fuel win Overwatch League May Melee". Dot Esports. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Robertson, Scott (May 10, 2021). "Dallas Fuel bolsters DPS lineup by signing Pine". Dot Esports. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  23. ^ Collins, Sean (May 30, 2021). "San Francisco snaps Dallas' seven match win streak as Fuel miss opportunity to stay on top of Overwatch League". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  24. ^ Collins, Sean (June 5, 2021). "Dallas Fuel get much-expected win over Vancouver, setting up match vs. rival Houston to prove staying power". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  25. ^ Richardson, Liz (June 7, 2021). "Here are the Overwatch League June Joust teams". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  26. ^ Collins, Sean (June 10, 2021). "Dallas Fuel tank player 'Hanbin': Shanghai Dragons 'not prepared' as Fuel continue dominance in June Joust". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  27. ^ Collins, Sean (June 11, 2021). "'Sp9rk1e', Dallas Fuel 'only afraid of Atlanta' after advancing to second-consecutive Overwatch League tournament final". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  28. ^ Richardson, Liz (June 12, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons win Overwatch League June Joust". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  29. ^ Collins, Sean (July 10, 2021). "Dallas Fuel making sacrifices for success, go undefeated in Summer Showdown pool play". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Collins, Sean (July 9, 2021). "'I knew we were going to be amazing': Dallas Fuel attract new fans, loyal followers in live return". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Richardson, Liz (July 12, 2021). "Here are the Overwatch League Summer Showdown teams". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  32. ^ "Chengdu Hunters upset Dallas Fuel in Summer Showdown". Reuters. Field Level Media. July 16, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  33. ^ Collins, Sean (July 17, 2021). "Dallas Fuel topped by Chengdu in Summer Showdown, look to reinvent meta in pursuit of world title". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  34. ^ Collins, Sean (August 8, 2021). "Lessons learned in loss to Atlanta could pay off for Dallas Fuel in Grand Final, no matter the meta". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  35. ^ "Reign, Gladiators earn spots in Countdown Cup". Reuters. Field Level Media. August 16, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  36. ^ Collins, Sean (August 7, 2021). "After defeating London, Dallas Fuel head coach 'RUSH' reveals team is practicing less on purpose". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  37. ^ "OWL 2021 Standings". Overwatch League. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  38. ^ Garst, Aron (September 17, 2021). "Dallas Fuel look to bounce back in the Overwatch League playoffs". Upcomer. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  39. ^ Czarnowski, Michael (September 21, 2021). "Everything you need to know about the Overwatch League 2021 playoffs". Upcomer. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  40. ^ Richardson, Liz (September 24, 2021). "Overwatch League reveals 2021 Role Stars". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  41. ^ Richardson, Liz (September 5, 2021). "Overwatch League 2021 playoffs bracket officially set". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  42. ^ "Overwatch League playoffs recap: Day 1". Upcomer. September 22, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  43. ^ "Overwatch League 2021 playoffs recap: Day 2". Upcomer. September 23, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  44. ^ Collins, Sean (September 24, 2021). "After semifinal loss to Shanghai, Dallas Fuel will eventually have to slay Dragons to win OWL title". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  45. ^ "Overwatch League 2021 playoffs recap: Day 4". Upcomer. September 25, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.