2021 OpTic Chicago season

The 2021 OpTic Chicago season is the second season for NRG Esports in the Call of Duty League. It was announced on November 11, 2020 that this would be the first season under the brand of OpTic Chicago after the Chicago Huntsmen re-branded when CEO Hector "HECZ" Rodriguez regained the intellectual property of OpTic Gaming.[1]

2021 OpTic Chicago season
Head coachTroy "Sender" Michaels
General managerHector "HECZ" Rodriguez
OwnerAndy Miller
Arena(s)Wintrust Arena
Results
Record26-18 (.591)
Place4th
Season PlayoffsT-5th
Total Earnings$295,000

The league season was re-structured moving into the 2021 season with the regular season now consisting of five stages which all would culminate with a major tournament. Each major would include all 12 teams with teams split into 2 groups of six. Teams would then compete against the five teams in their group to determine seeding for the stage ending major tournament.[2]

Preceding offseason

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The team announced on September 7 and 8, 2020 that Pierce "Gunless" Hillman, Alec "Arcitys" Sanderson, and Preston "Prestinni" Sanderson left the team.[3] Gunless and Prestinni later joined the Seattle Surge[4] while Arcitys joined the Atlanta FaZe.[5]

On September 14, 2020 it was announced that OpTic Gaming Los Angeles player Brandon "Dashy" Otell joined Seth "Scump" Abner", Matthew "FormaL" Piper, and Dylan "Envoy" Hannon to make up the starting roster as the CDL announced the league returned to 4v4.[6]

Overview

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Kickoff Classic

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On January 24, the CDL opened the season with the Kickoff Classic that had 6 matches that were all voted on by the fans. With 89.7% of the vote, the fans voted for OpTic to face former player Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag's franchise the LA Thieves. OpTic won that match 3–0.

Stage 1

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Prior to their match in the Kickoff Classic it was revealed that the Dallas Empire sent OpTic to Group B for Stage 1. Group B included the Atlanta FaZe, Florida Mutineers, Los Angeles Guerrillas, Paris Legion, and Toronto Ultra. Stage 1 was initially planned to consist of 3 home series on February 11–14, 18–21, and 25–28, however as a result of the Texas power crisis the final two weeks were condensed into a super week. It concluded with the Stage 1 Major happening on March 1–7.[7]

As a result of their 4–1 record in Stage 1, OpTic Chicago finished second in the Group B standings and qualified for the Winner's Bracket at the Major. At the major the team finished with a 2–2 record ultimately placing 4th overall.[8]

Stage 2

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The Stage 2 groups were announced via the Call of Duty League's YouTube on 12 March. Atlanta FaZe sent OpTic to Group B for Stage 2. Group B also included the Dallas Empire, Florida Mutineers, Paris Legion, Minnesota Rokkr and Seattle Surge. Stage 2 consisted of the Toronto Ultra home series on March 18–21, Week 2 on March 25–28 and the Los Angeles Guerillas home series on April 1–4. It concluded with the Stage 2 Major on April 5–11.[9]

After finishing Stage 2 with a 3–2 record, the same record as Minnesota ROKKR and Dallas Empire, OpTic Chicago were subsequently seeded 2nd from Group B as a result of tiebreakers qualifying for the Winner's Bracket at the Major.[10] At the major the team finished with a 1–2 record, placing them tied for 5th with Los Angeles Thieves.[11]

Stage 3

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The Stage 3 groups were announced via the Call of Duty League's YouTube on 16 April. Toronto Ultra sent OpTic to Group B for Stage 3. Group B also included the Atlanta FaZe, Los Angeles Thieves, New York Subliners, Seattle Surge and London Royal Ravens. Stage 3 consisted of the London Royal Ravens home series on April 22–25, Paris Legion home series April 29- May 2 and the Dallas Empire home series May 6–9. It concluded with the Stage 3 Major in the week of May 10.[12]

After finishing Stage 3 with a 2–3 record, OpTic Chicago were seeded 4th from Group B and were placed in the Loser's Bracket at the Major. At the major the team finished with a 3–1 record, placing them 4th overall.[13]

Stage 4

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The Stage 4 groups were announced via the Call of Duty League's YouTube on 22 May. New York Subliners sent OpTic to Group A for Stage 4. Group A also included the Atlanta FaZe, Los Angeles Thieves, Minnesota ROKKR, Seattle Surge and Paris Legion. Stage 4 consisted of the OpTic Chicago home series on May 27–30, Florida Mutineers home series June 3–6 and the Los Angeles Thieves home series June 10–13. It concluded with the Stage 4 Major on June 17–20.[14]

After finishing Stage 4 with a 3–2 record, OpTic Chicago were seeded 2nd from Group A and were placed in the Winners's Bracket at the Major. At the major the team finished with a 2–2 record, placing them 4th overall.[15]

Stage 5

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The Stage 5 groups were announced via the Call of Duty League's YouTube on 25 June. Dallas Empire sent OpTic to Group A for Stage 5. Group A also included the Atlanta FaZe, Los Angeles Thieves, New York Subliners, London Royal Ravens and Paris Legion. Stage 4 consisted of the New York Subliners home series on July 8–11, Minnesota ROKKR home series July 15–18 and the Seattle Surge home series July 22–25.[16] It will conclude with the Stage 5 Major on July 29–1 August, which will see the return of fans in attendance for the first time since February 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

After finishing Stage 5 with a 4–1 record, OpTic Chicago were seeded 1st from Group A and were placed in the Winners's Bracket at the Major with a first round bye.

Roster

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2021 OpTic Chicago roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Dashy Otell, Brandon Canada
Envoy Hannon, Dylan United States
FormaL Piper, Matthew United States
Scump Abner, Seth United States
General   General, Jordon United States
Head coach
  • Troy "Sender" Michaels
Assistant coach(es)

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: February 11, 2021.

Standings

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Source[18]

# Team Pts EP MW ML M% GW GL G%
1 Atlanta FaZe 525 5 34 7 .829 122 53 .697
2 Toronto Ultra 415 5 29 17 .630 113 79 .589
3 Dallas Empire 400 5 26 18 .591 99 84 .541
4 OpTic Chicago 360 5 26 18 .591 97 74 .567
5 New York Subliners 340 5 24 17 .585 85 81 .512
6 Minnesota ROKKR 305 5 20 17 .541 75 73 .507
7 Los Angeles Thieves 240 5 18 21 .462 74 83 .471
8 Florida Mutineers 210 5 17 19 .472 69 70 .496
9 Seattle Surge 120 5 11 25 .306 56 85 .397
10 London Royal Ravens 110 5 9 23 .281 45 79 .363
11 Los Angeles Guerrillas 100 5 8 26 .235 44 87 .336
12 Paris Legion 100 5 8 22 .267 42 73 .365

Game log

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Preseason

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2021 preseason game log
Kickoff Classic
1 January 24 OpTic Chicago 3 0 LA Thieves Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Call of Duty League
250 HP- Garrison 136
6 S&D- Checkmate 4
3 CTRL- Raid 0

Regular season

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2021 regular season game log
Stage 1
Qualifier match 1 February 12 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Paris Legion Online
3:00 pm EST     Online
Hosted by Atlanta FaZe
250 HP - Raid 102
6 S&D - Checkmate 4
3 CTRL - Raid 2
Qualifier match 2 February 14 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Atlanta FaZe Online
6:00 pm EST     Online
Hosted by Atlanta FaZe
250 HP - Garrison 225
0 S&D - Miami 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 2
245 HP - Moscow 250
1 S&D - Moscow 6
Qualifier match 3 February 24 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Toronto Ultra Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Checkmate 68
4 S&D - Raid 6
3 CTRL - Raid 1
250 HP - Raid 218
Qualifier match 4 February 25 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Los Angeles Guerrillas Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
234 HP - Garrison 250
6 S&D - Moscow 3
3 CTRL - Raid 1
250 HP - Moscow 191
Qualifier match 5 February 28 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Florida Mutineers Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
229 HP - Garrison 250
6 S&D - Checkmate 5
3 CTRL - Checkmate 2
250 HP - Checkmate 178
Winners' round 1 March 4 OpTic Chicago 3 0 New York Subliners Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Checkmate 180
6 S&D - Moscow 1
3 CTRL - Raid 1
Winners' round 2 March 5 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Dallas Empire Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
149 HP - Garrison 250
6 S&D - Moscow 2
3 CTRL - Raid 2
157 HP - Moscow 250
5 S&D - Checkmate 6
Losers' round 4 March 6 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Los Angeles Thieves Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Crossroads 190
5 S&D - Raid 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 1
250 HP - Raid 166
Losers' round 5 March 6 OpTic Chicago 0 3 New York Subliners Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
155 HP - Crossroads 250
1 S&D - Garrison 6
1 CTRL - Checkmate 3

Stage 2
Qualifier match 1 March 21 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Paris Legion Online
1:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Toronto Ultra
250 HP - Checkmate 184
4 S&D - Express 6
3 CTRL - Raid 0
250 HP - Apocalypse 224
Qualifier match 2 March 25 OpTic Chicago 0 3 Minnesota ROKKR Online
2:30 pm CST     Online
81 HP - Raid 250
4 S&D - Raid 6
1 CTRL - Raid 3
Qualifier match 3 March 28 OpTic Chicago 0 3 Florida Mutineers Online
4:00 pm CST     Online
221 HP - Raid 250
5 S&D - Checkmate 6
2 CTRL - Checkmate 3
Qualifier match 4 April 1 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Seattle Surge Online
2:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Los Angeles Guerillas
250 HP - Raid 226
6 S&D - Checkmate 2
3 CTRL - Raid 2
Qualifier match 5 April 4 OpTic Chicago 3 2 Dallas Empire Online
3:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Los Angeles Guerillas
244 HP - Moscow 250
6 S&D - Raid 2
2 CTRL - Checkmate 3
250 HP - Checkmate 108
6 S&D - Checkmate 1
Winners' round 1 April 8 OpTic Chicago 1 3 Toronto Ultra Online
2:30 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Checkmate 236
5 S&D - Moscow 6
1 CTRL - Raid 3
234 HP - Raid 250
Losers' round 3 April 9 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Seattle Surge Online
4:00 pm CST     Online
202 HP - Raid 250
6 S&D - Checkmate 2
3 CTRL - Raid 1
250 HP - Garrison 183
Losers' round 4 April 10 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Minnesota ROKKR Online
2:30 pm CST     Online
192 HP - Garrison 250
6 S&D - Express 2
1 CTRL - Garrison 3
250 HP - Moscow 138
5 S&D - Moscow 6

Stage 3
Qualifier match 1 April 23 OpTic Chicago 3 1 London Royal Ravens Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by London Royal Ravens
250 HP - Garrison 207
6 S&D - Moscow 4
2 CTRL - Checkmate 3
250 HP - Moscow 152
Qualifier match 2 April 24 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Seattle Surge Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by London Royal Ravens
250 HP - Moscow 240
6 S&D - Moscow 4
3 CTRL - Checkmate 1
Qualifier match 3 May 2 OpTic Chicago 1 3 Los Angeles Thieves Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Paris Legion
205 HP - Checkmate 250
6 S&D - Express 3
2 CTRL - Raid 3
117 HP - Apocalypse 250
Qualifier match 4 May 6 OpTic Chicago 1 3 New York Subliners Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Dallas Empire
92 HP - Apocalypse 250
2 S&D - Express 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 1
230 HP - Moscow 250
Qualifier match 5 May 9 OpTic Chicago 0 3 Atlanta FaZe Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Dallas Empire
88 HP - Raid 250
2 S&D - Moscow 6
0 CTRL - Raid 3
Losers' round 2 May 14 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Los Angeles Guerrillas Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
148 HP - Garrison 250
6 S&D - Moscow 5
3 CTRL - Raid 2
250 HP - Moscow 210
Losers' round 3 May 15 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Dallas Empire Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Garrison 151
6 S&D - Checkmate 5
3 CTRL - Raid 1
Losers' round 4 May 15 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Florida Mutineers Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Moscow 139
6 S&D - Raid 5
3 CTRL - Checkmate 1
Losers' round 5 May 16 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Toronto Ultra Online
2:00 pm CST     Online
250 HP - Garrison 180
3 S&D - Moscow 6
2 CTRL - Raid 3
250 HP - CHeckmate 117
5 S&D - Raid 6

Stage 4
Qualifier match 1 May 28 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Minnesota ROKKR Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by OpTic Chicago
250 HP - Moscow 238
6 S&D - Standoff 2
3 CTRL - Raid 0
Qualifier match 2 May 30 OpTic Chicago 0 3 Atlanta FaZe Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by OpTic Chicago
157 HP - Moscow 250
4 S&D - Express 6
0 CTRL - Raid 3
Qualifier match 3 June 5 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Paris Legion Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Florida Mutineers
250 HP - Garrison 240
6 S&D - Standoff 2
1 CTRL - Raid 3
250 HP - Moscow 156
Qualifier match 4 June 10 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Seattle Surge Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Los Angeles Thieves
232 HP - Raid 250
6 S&D - Moscow 3
1 CTRL - Checkmate 3
250 HP - Checkmate 227
4 S&D - Raid 6
Qualifier match 5 June 13 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Los Angeles Thieves Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Los Angeles Thieves
250 HP - Garrison 163
4 S&D - Standoff 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 0
250 HP - Moscow 126
Winner's round 1 June 17 OpTic Chicago 0 3 Dallas Empire Arlington, Texas
5:00 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
160 HP - Garrison 250
1 S&D - Standoff 6
1 CTRL - Checkmate 3
Loser's round 3 June 19 OpTic Chicago 3 2 Seattle Surge Arlington, Texas
2:00 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
250 HP - Checkmate 175
6 S&D - Express 4
2 CTRL - Checkmate 3
217 HP - Apocalypse 250
6 S&D - Moscow 3
Loser's round 4 June 19 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Minnesota ROKKR Arlington, Texas
6:30 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
250 HP - Checkmate 180
4 S&D - Raid 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 2
250 HP - Garrison 215
Loser's round 5 June 20 OpTic Chicago 1 3 Dallas Empire Arlington, Texas
3:00 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
244 HP - Garrison 250
3 S&D - Express 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 2
176 HP - Moscow 250

Stage 5
Qualifier match 1 July 8 OpTic Chicago 3 0 Paris Legion Online
3:30 pm EST     Online
Hosted by New York Subliners
250 HP - Garrison 185
6 S&D - Standoff 5
3 CTRL - Raid 0
Qualifier match 2 July 11 OpTic Chicago 3 0 New York Subliners Online
5:00 pm EST     Online
Hosted by New York Subliners
250 HP - Moscow 200
6 S&D - Express 5
3 CTRL - Raid 1
Qualifier match 3 July 18 OpTic Chicago 3 2 Atlanta FaZe Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Minnesota ROKKR
250 HP - Moscow 177
4 S&D - Miami 6
3 CTRL - Raid 2
172 HP - Apocalypse 250
6 S&D - Standoff 5
Qualifier match 4 July 22 OpTic Chicago 3 0 London Royal Ravens Online
3:30 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Seattle Surge
250 HP - Raid 207
6 S&D - Moscow 4
3 CTRL - Raid 2
Qualifier match 5 July 24 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Los Angeles Thieves Online
5:00 pm CST     Online
Hosted by Seattle Surge
250 HP - Moscow 72
6 S&D - Express 1
1 CTRL - Checkmate 3
196 HP - Checkmate 250
3 S&D - Moscow 6
Winner's round 2 July 30 OpTic Chicago 2 3 Toronto Ultra Arlington, Texas
6:30 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
250 HP - Checkmate 236
2 S&D - Miami 6
3 CTRL - Raid 2
134 HP - Garrison 250
2 S&D - Express 6
Loser's round 4 July 31 OpTic Chicago 3 2 Seattle Surge Arlington, Texas
6:30 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
188 HP - Moscow 250
6 S&D - Raid 5
3 CTRL - Checkmate 0
204 HP - Raid 250
6 S&D - Standoff 2
Loser's round 5 August 1 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Dallas Empire Arlington, Texas
6:30 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
250 HP - Moscow 86
5 S&D - Raid 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 2
250 HP - Raid 203
Loser's round 5 August 1 OpTic Chicago 1 3 Toronto Ultra Arlington, Texas
6:30 pm CST     Esports Stadium Arlington
Hosted by Dallas Empire
245 HP - Garrison 250
6 S&D - Moscow 4
1 CTRL - Raid 3
148 HP - Checkmate 250

Post season

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2021 post season game log
Playoffs
Winner's round 1 August 19 OpTic Chicago 2 3 New York Subliners Los Angeles, California
3:00 pm CST     Galen Center
110 HP - Checkmate 250
1 S&D - Express 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 2
250 HP - Apocalypse 96
4 S&D - Raid 6
Loser's round 1 August 19 OpTic Chicago 3 1 Florida Mutineers Los Angeles, California
7:00 pm CST     Galen Center
250 HP - Moscow 102
2 S&D - Standoff 6
3 CTRL - Checkmate 1
250 HP - Apocalypse 159
Loser's round 2 August 20 OpTic Chicago 1 3 Toronto Ultra Los Angeles, California
5:30 pm CST     Galen Center
176 HP - Checkmate 250
3 S&D - Moscow 6
3 CTRL - Raid 2
230 HP - Raid 250

References

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  1. ^ "H3cz to reacquire OpTic Gaming from Immortals Gaming Group". ESPN.com.
  2. ^ "2021 Call of Duty League Season League Structure Details". Call of Duty League.
  3. ^ "Multiple Call of Duty League teams release players". ESPN.com.
  4. ^ "Seattle Surge add Prestinni, Gunless and Loony". ESPN.com.
  5. ^ "Atlanta FaZe sign former Huntsmen and eUnited star Arcitys". ESPN.com.
  6. ^ "Dashy signs with Chicago Huntsemen". ESPN.com.
  7. ^ "CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE 2021 STAGE 1 GROUPS AND SCHEDULE REVEALED". ESTNN.
  8. ^ "FaZe handles Empire to win CDL Stage 1 Major". Reuters.
  9. ^ "Here are the groups for Stage 2 of the 2021 Call of Duty League season". Dot Esports.
  10. ^ "$500,000 CDL Stage 2 Major: Bracket & full schedule". Dexerto.
  11. ^ "Ultra win 3 straight maps to claim CDL Stage 2 Major title". Reuters.
  12. ^ "Here are the groups for Stage 3 of the 2021 Call of Duty League season". Dot eSports.
  13. ^ "FaZe take revenge on Subliners to win CDL Stage 3 Major". Reuters.
  14. ^ "CDL Stage 4 Groups & match schedule announced: FaZe, OpTic & Thieves in Group A". Dexerto.
  15. ^ "Results for 2021 Call of Duty League Stage 4 Major". Dot eSports.
  16. ^ "Here are the groups for Stage 5 of the 2021 Call of Duty League season". Dot eSports.
  17. ^ "Call of Duty League confirms return of fans for Stage 5 Major". Dot eSports.
  18. ^ "CDL POINTS STANDINGS". Call of Duty League. Retrieved 16 May 2021.