Weekend Recap: OXG becomes Hometown Favorites at RLCS Rotterdam; Breach fall to NYSL and LAG
The crowd got behind OXG this weekend in the Netherlands for RLCS Rotterdam with the squad featuring the only two Dutch players to qualify for the major!
The Swiss Stage was swift and easy for OXG, beating G2 in a 3-2 fashion, sweeping eventual champions GenG 3-0, and then obliterating Version 1 with another 3-0 sweep! Coming out of the group stage, OXG led the field in goals per game ratio. This instantly flipped them, from an underdog to one of the favorites to win the Fall Major. After going 3-0 in the Swiss Stage OXG was able to skip the rest of Friday and all of Saturday, qualifying for Top 8 and to play on Championship Sunday.
OXG was seeded second in the bracket for Championship Sunday, placing them in a tough matchup with FaZe Clan. With the Dutch crowd backing OXG’s Joreuz and Oaly, chanting their names boisterously, they were hot out the gate, winning the first two games in a best of seven series. Unfortunately FaZe Clan was able to silence the crowd after a timeout, swinging the momentum in their favor, allowing them to close out the series 4-3, and OXG going home with a Top 8 finish. Although it was not the result everyone was hoping for, the future is very bright for this team.
This weekend also saw the final qualifiers for CDL Major 1. Boston Breach had a tough weekend and now sit 2-2 after tough matches against NYSL and LAG.
WELCOME FROM NEW BOSTON UPRISING GM AARON ‘PRE’ HECKMAN
Here’s what to expect from the Boston Uprising under its new GM in 2023.
I couldn't be more excited to be joining your city as the General Manager of the Boston Uprising.
Since the Overwatch League's inaugural season I've been working hard to bring fans closer to the game, educate and train stronger players, and set a high standard for how to build winning professional organizations.
It wasn't just your first-class approach to OWL that brought me here. I wanted to join a team that's willing to push the boundaries of what a modern esports organization can do. The Uprising share that same vision—and I know you do too. That's why I'm so thrilled to be aboard the Oxygen Esports family.
My promise to you with my time here is that we'll build a team you can be proud of, and we'll do it in a transparent manner. I appreciate the time and energy our fans pour into this team. I will give just as much back by letting you know what we are doing to make esports in Boston the best it can be.
You may have already seen some changes as we prepare for the 2023 season. We have high aspirations in the new year, and will hold ourselves to these standards as the season goes on.
Thank you for all your support over the last five years. Stick with us, and together we'll make this season the Uprising's best yet.
Yours in Gaming,
AARON “PRE” HECKMAN
General Manager
Boston Uprising
@PRE_owl
A Message From Our Boston Breach GM
MEET DENZ
There are no fans in esports like Boston Breach supporters. Your passion and your loyalty bring out the best in us and raise our standards.
This season, we're going to make you prouder than ever to wear our colors. Your support is paramount. Your energy is electric. I couldn’t be more excited as we undertake this new chapter together.
We reshaped our roster in the offseason, and our new players are hungry to prove a point. For the fans. For themselves. To the competition. Our players and coaches have been working day in and day out to reap the results we all want. After a month with the newest Call of Duty game, we're confident the right building blocks are in place for a great season.
This season is going to be a period, not a comma, in the lexicon of Boston esports. You'll get to know our stars and staff behind the scenes in ways we've never showcased before. Expect more watch parties at our training facility just steps from Gillette Stadium.
We'll also be hosting the biggest esports event to hit The Hub in a decade, and we'll be doing it all in the shadow of the Green Monster.
But first things first. We can’t wait to see your support this weekend. We need it aplenty against two of the league's heavyweights.
Let's get #IntoTheBreach and LET'S F$%@ING GO!!!
Yours in Gaming,
Denholm "Denz" Taylor
General Manager
Boston Breach
Weekend Recap: Breach Own CDL Openers, OXG Rise in ALGS Standings
The Boston Breach took the Opening Weekend of Call of Duty League season by storm, demolishing both of their opponents!
The Major 1 campaign started with 2021-22 season runner-up Atlanta FaZe. After falling in a close Map 1, the Breach won the next three maps to close out the series, 3-1. MVP caliber performances from Main AR Anthony “Methodz” Zinni who dropped an outstanding 1.75 k/d in Map 3 and Flex Joe “Owakening” Conley, who dropped a ridiculous 1.31 k/d across the entire series!
The Breach faced a tall task in their other match of Opening Weekend, a battle against Seattle Surge featuring CDL 2022 Rookie of the Year Amer “Pred” Zulbeari. Continuing his form from the previous match, Owakening came to play, denying three Seattle Surge players entry to the final hardpoint, to win Map 1 for Breach.
Seattle took Map 3 to start a comeback rally after coming up short-handed in Map 2, only for Owakening to stop them in their tracks. He smashed them with 30 kills, resulting in a 1.76 k/d to take Map 4 comfortably and close out the series 3-1.
Elsewhere, Matchday 6 of the 22-23 Apex Legends Global Series saw OXG fight to an 11th place finish (out of 20) on the day, allowing them to climb up to 21st (out of 30) in the season standings.
CALL OF DUTY MAJOR II: BOSTON
Boston’s biggest esports event in nearly a decade hits Fenway this February! Here’s where you can get tickets and exclusive VIP access.
History will be made this February.
YOu coming?
This isn’t just the biggest esports event to hit The Hub in nearly a decade. It’s a period, not a comma, in the lexicon of Boston esports. A competition like no other. One that cements Boston’s place as a cornerstone of North America’s fastest-growing sporting market.
Thousands of fans have already booked their ticket for this February, when the Boston Breach host Call of Duty League’s second Major of the season at Boston’s newest state-of-the-art concert venue, MGM Music Hall at Fenway. It’s time for you to grab your squad and show why this is the City of Champions.
There’s nothing like a live esports event, let alone one in the shadow of America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. VIP access starts at $225, with single-day general admission starting at just $30.
When: Feb. 2-5, 2023
Where: MGM Music Hall at Fenway
2 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA