Key Take Aways From Day 4

For the first time since season 8 finals, crowds have been allowed back into RLCS LAN events, and what an environment it created. The loud, passionate atmosphere of the Los Angeles based YouTube Theatre, combined with the action packed game play, made for a perfect return to proper LAN Rocket League.

FaZe Finally Rise:

When Sypical was brought in to replace Allushin following the Fall Split, FaZe was immediately coined as North America's next super team. However, after failing to make a single grand final in the regional section of the split, doubts had began to be cast about whether the roster truly had what it took to match it with the best of the best. And with losses in the group stage to V1 and Queso, it seemed that those doubts were coming to fruition.

The team chemistry appeared shot, players were finding it difficult to rise to the pressure, and FaZe was on the brink of elimination, seemingly bound for another roster change. Until they weren't. Their win over Endpoint yesterday would serve only as an appetiser to today's performance, where FaZe produced the most brutal victory in RLCS history.

FaZe not only defeated BDS, the Fall Major champions, they not only swept them, but they perfect swept them. In a series where BDS just couldn't get set, FaZe were about as perfect as it gets. Their defence was stone hard, impossible to break through, and their finishing astounding, setting up an all NA lower bracket quarter final matchup with V1. And after being blown away in the first two games, with the double headed monster of Comm and Beastmode overwhelming their play, FaZe showed first hand once more why they have the potential to be NA's juggernaut.

They sapped the life out of V1 with incredible saves on what seemed destined for easy goals, Firstkiller was a demon in midfield, and Sypical finally began to return to peak form, after a difficult start to the LAN, particularly on day 1, to bring the series score level at 3-3. And in game 7, it was AYYJAYY who sealed it in overtime with a top right bullet, breaking the hearts of V1 fans around the world, and securing a top 4 finish for FaZe.

FaZe are now the only team to have made top 6, let alone top 4, in both majors this season. They've proved that they have what it takes to match it with the top teams when it counts, their team chemistry looks to be on the up, and heading into Championship Sunday, they'll be searching for a mirror image of today's success.

Furia Are Here To Stay:

Furia may not have won on the pitch today, but they certainly one the hearts of many fans. With their win over NRG, and double victories against Endpoint, securing top 6, a historical high for the SAM region, Furia came into day 4 looking to play spoiler to some of the world's biggest teams.

And although they were defeated by G2, 2-4, and Queso, 3-4, to be sent home in 5th-6th, Furia showed seriously promising signs. Their mistakes were scarce, they were able to build a wall in defence when required of them, and their offensive mechanics were world class. Furia pushed two of the best teams in the world right to the brink in what was the best minor region performance since OCE's Chiefs in Season 6. Could Furia be the team to bring RLCS to another level and illustrate that minor regions are here for more than just filling up the numbers.

Queso Keep Europe's Hopes Alive:

Coming into LA, Queso were one of the event's biggest wildcards, with a team filled with teenage, RLCS LAN debutants. Many expected Queso to struggle to find the form they had online, where they one two regionals for the split, and instead backed in the more experienced Dignitas and BDS to outperform the rising stars.

But with Dig out in 9th-12th and BDS eliminated in 7th-8th, Queso become the last hope for an entire continent accustomed to success. After sweeping fellow Europeans EG, 3-0, where rise continued his offensive masterclass, Queso set themselves up with a lower bracket quarter finals against the South American based Furia, in a push for top 4. With the pressure present, the crowd against them, and Furia seemingly unstoppable in the clutch moments, Queso dropped to a 2-3 deficit, and looked all but defeated.

For 3 LAN rookies, a 5th-6th finish would have been more than impressive, and the cheese's dreams appeared to have a come to a close. But there's a good reason why Queso are the #1 EU seed, and those final two games made sure we don't forget it. Joyo was huge in rallying the team, with 4 goals in game 6, before they completely suffocating Furia's chaos with a shut out in game 7. With everything placed against them, Queso rose to the occasion, and now carry a high level of momentum heading into tomorrow's rematch with FaZe as they search for a top 3 berth to keep Europe's hopes alive.

The SSG Fairytale Continues:

SSG came into the LA major void of momentum, with a 9th-12th finish in the final regional dropping them to 5th seed and seemingly halting all confidence. But on LAN, SSG have proved thus far to be a whole different beast, and that form certainly wasn't stopping today in the upper bracket semi finals against V1. They were quick out of the gates, as a Daniel finish from high secured game 1, and even down 0-3 in game 2, they still possessed the belief to come roaring back, with an Arsenal dagger in the 3rd leading SSG to a 3-0 series lead.

SSG seemed unstoppable, and looked to have broken V1 down. However, after V1's tactical timeout, the momentum shifted, as SSG were shut out in back to back games to have their lead cut to just a sole game. Yet after taking a tactical timeout, SSG's resilience shone through once more, as another Arsenal clutch shot gifted them the overtime game 6 victory, and sent SSG to the top 6.

The series today was one of Daniel's best as he truly embraced the presence of the crowd, and the team seems as well gelled as a team has ever looked in RLCS. Their bond appears unbreakable, their chemistry unflappable, and with the crowd well and truly behind them, SSG could defy all odds and take out the whole thing on day 5.