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With the Overwatch League playoffs starting this Thursday (AEST), we’re looking at all six playoffs teams. Now, we’re looking at the team in the orange and black, the Philadelphia Fusion.
The Fusion were one of the dark horses to make it into the Overwatch League playoffs – making it with by far the lowest map differential to make the cut.
The Philadelphia Fusion are a bit of a surprise to see make the playoffs as, while generally performing well, we didn’t see them make a title match since Stage 2, where they defeated fellow finalists London only to lose to current favourites New York Excelsior.
Aside from their Stage 2 taste of playoffs, the Fusion make it into the postseason thanks to an impressive 24-16 record. That equals the London Spitfire, who they also defeated the last three times they were pit against each other this season.
Consistency is key for the Fusion and, while they don’t have the most wins out of the teams in the playoffs, they do have some of the more predictable trends – typically winning just over half their matches for each stage.
Unfortunately for Philly, these usually don’t include wins against the other finalists aside from their recent encounters with Spitfire and a few outliers here and there.
They can, however, boast wins in the last four matches they played in Stage 4 of the Overwatch League, which included victories over the Houston Outlaws, Seoul Dynasty, San Francisco Shock, and of course, the Spitfire.
This streak of wins is part due to their handy performance with Josue “EQO” Corona and taking on the Brigitte meta with their renowned and consistently solid tank play.
If they can continue to play like we’ve seen in their most recent matches they may have a shot at these playoffs – but they are by far one of the least likely in the bracket.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, I’m really not so sure they can. They may be very well versed in kicking the London Spitfire around but there’s no guarantee we will even see that matchup happening.
First off, Philly have to take on the Boston Uprising, who they have a tradition of trading wins with.
Comparing the maps included in the pool there’s no clear advantage to either side, but I’d have to say favour falls slightly to the Uprising.
Boston will almost certainly take Junkertown, Eichenwalde, and Volskaya Industries if they’re thrown, whereas Philadelphia shows a clear advantage on Lijiang Tower, Hanamura, and the tiebreaker map Nepal.
Things being this even means a tiebreaker is likely, so long as the maps don’t go fully in Boston’s favour. Nepal is a lucky pick for Philly.
The Fusion also beat Uprising 3-1 in their last matchup so victory, while not assured, is reasonably likely.
If they can manage that, they’ll then have to face off against either the LA Valiant or New York Excelsior depending on who else progresses.
Both of these teams defeated Philadelphia in their last matchups and have been incredibly strong in the recent season.
All in all it doesn’t seem all that likely we will see the Fusion come out on top but, as it would be a massive upset, they are sure to have the fans on their side.
Literally the whole team.
Philadelphia are the clear underdogs here, with only a +13 map differential – more than 10 behind the second lowest team in the finals, the LA Gladiators.
They’re sixth on the ladder and only barely scraped it in over the Houston Outlaws and Seoul Dynasty, who were nipping at their heels on wins.
If the Fusion can win it it’s going to be because of a whole team effort which they are not unknown for.
They have an incredibly solid tank lineup with Joona “Fragi” Laine, Hong-jun “HOTBA” Choi, and Sum-min “SADO” Kim and DPS players known for securing clutch kills in Jae-hyeok “Carpe” Lee and EQO.
They also have Alberto “Neptuno” González Molinillo, one of the most aggressive supports in the league – and when everyone is working together this team can secure wins.
Whether or not they can do it in the grand finals is another issue completely, but an upset win like this will need everyone on board.