Cloud9 vs Rogue

ECS Season 5 North America,

Now that Cloud9 is back in America after a fun week in Australia for IEM Sydney, they can begin to finish up the remaining games they are responsible for on ECS. Facing off today against Cloud9 is up and coming North American team Rogue. Cloud9 is nearly guaranteed to make the offline finals of ECS and Rogue looks as if it doesn't matter what the result may be, they will not make the offline playoffs. However, this does mean that Cloud9 will still be trying to get a better seed in the offline playoffs because the North Americans will have to face off against international talent. The map we will be looking at today is that of Mirage, it is the first game to be played in this best of two series, so let's go ahead and look at these two teams and see who will come out on top.

Cloud9:

After losing out in the playoffs 0-2 to mixed superteam FaZe Clan in the playoffs of IEM Sydney, Cloud9 is now home and gearing up for the next potential offline event. With the next offline event being that of the ESL Pro League finals or the other offline finals created by the other online league, Cloud9 will want to use these ECS games not only as an opportunity to make another offline final but also as practice for ESL Pro League. Cloud9 on Mirage is one to be feared; out of twenty-one games, twelve have been victorious. It is one of the most versatile maps for Cloud9 and all-star Autimatic has a 1.17 rating on Mirage. Tarik has a 1.15 rating and both RUSH and Skadoodle sport a 1.05+ rating each.

Rogue :

Rogue was most recently seen attempting to qualify for Dreamhack Open Valencia, where they fell just short of Luminosity in the grand finals 1-2. Rogue put up an excellent attempt but was ultimately thwarted. It's been a very transitional year for Rogue, as they have added and dropped many players, but I do see them finally taking form. However, in this match-up on Mirage, they might have some trouble. Though Mirage is there most played map, out of twenty-three games, eleven have been wins. Resulting in a 47.8% win rate. Sick is the only member of the five-man roster to have an above 1.1 rating. Which could spell trouble for Rogue as they attempt to combatant Cloud9, one of the most notoriously well versed North American teams.

Map Pick/Ban :

This is a best of two series, but as I mentioned before, the games will be played individually and we will be focussing on the first map on Mirage. I've gone over some statistics surrounding the maps and the players on each team. In terms of giving an advantage, Cloud9 have a clear map advantage going into this game.

Final Thoughts:

This battle will mostly be for Cloud9, as they have not only the opportunity to win but also increase their chances to qualify for the offline finals of ECS. The ECS finals are the extra cherry on top of winning out this series and given the circumstances of Rogue not being a good team on Mirage and Cloud9 having a positive win record on the map. I would suggest putting a medium bet on Cloud9 to win it.