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We’re into the second phase of the Overwatch League playoffs and Philadelphia have earned the right to challenge the current front-runners New York after their victory against Boston.
The New York Excelsior are the favourites to take the finals with their incredible map differential and all-star Korean team but Philadelphia Fusion have proven themselves to be capable contenders in these playoffs.
Where: Blizzard Arena, Los Angeles
When: Game 1: 10am (AEST), Thursday, July 19, Game 2/3*: 9:00am/11:00am* (AEST), Saturday, July 22
How to Watch: Live on Twitch
* – if necessary
Stage 1, Week 3: Philadelphia 3-2 New York
Stage 2, Week 3: New York 3-1 Philadelphia
Stage 2, Week 5: Philadelphia 2-3 New York
Stage 3, Week 3: Philadelphia 2-3 New York
Stage 4, Week 1: New York 4-0 Philadelphia
Overall: New York 4, Philadelphia 1
It seems pretty clear from their meetings throughout the league which team holds the advantage here with New York getting the best of Philadelphia in all but their first ever match up. Week one may as well be ancient history as far as Overwatch is concerned with the meta having evolved considerably since then, so it’s hard to consider that tick in the Fusion’s column as holding much weight.
Every other time the teams have come up against each other the Excelsior has taken it all home but it hasn’t always been close.
The two teams met in the stage 2 finals where New York only managed to win by performing a reverse sweep to a tie-breaking 3–2 win. This was before the Excelsior had started bragging about biding their time and holding back plays and it was a finals match, so the Fusion’s victories early in the match on Route 66 and Lijiang Tower can be taken as sincerely won.
Their next series went down much the same way with Philadelphia taking the first two maps which were Temple of Anubis and Numbani only for New York to turn around and snatch another 3–2 win.
In their last match-up, it appeared that New York were done playing around, stealing a complete railroad 4–0 over the Philadelphia Fusion and being the most recent match-up of the two teams it’s easy to assume this may be how it all goes down again.
What’s worse for the Fusion is they won’t be seeing any of the maps they’ve had victory over New York on previously until Lijiang pops up in their second match-up. To put it bluntly, things don’t look good for Philadelphia – but that’s what we thought about their match with Boston as well and they proved us wrong.
Carpe and EQO show up.
Their dynamic double sniper duo of Jae-hyeok ‘Carpe’ Lee and Josue ‘EQO’ Corona has ferried this team to victory so far with their impressive play proving far too much for the competition. I don’t want to ever be in the position where I doubt these two superstars again because they have proven their worth to this team far and above.
Of course, Philadelphia will also need to keep a cool head as they’re up against the strongest team on paper that the league has to offer but they’ve proven they can do this, they are definitely worthy of their position in the playoffs especially when the whole team is playing to their best.
The only problem is The Fusion aren’t the only ones with some seriously impressive snipers so it’s also fair to say that…
Joona “Fragi” Laine, of the Philadelphia Fusion esports team, pumps up the crowd before an Overwatch League game. (Photo: Robert Paul/Blizzard Entertainment)
Pine and Libero show up more.
Do-hyeon ‘Pine’ Kim and Hae-Seong ‘Libero’ Kim are the answer to Carpe and EQO and who’s better on their heroes is very difficult to say. When these two get going they are a heavily destructive force and where Carpe is probably more flexible than Pine the same could be said of Libero to EQO.
Excelsior have the edge, there’s no denying it. You can’t look at numbers like that and results like these and not see that but they don’t always get lucky and if their snipers get shot down then they might not taste victory.
Obviously, you’d have to go with Excelsior but I’ve learned my lesson and am not so quick to count Philly out of the race. I still think Excelsior will win it but my heart kind of wants to see the playoff underdogs take it all the way.
On the other hand, I could only imagine how crushing it would be for New York to be working so hard and long with this impressive lead only to be beaten by a team with only a +13 differential to their +83. New York have earned this but are they really hungry enough compared to Philadelphia?
Ultimately if I had to pick a side I’ve got to go with my brain and choose NYXL but I can’t stomach the idea of them totally sweeping the Fusion after they’ve worked this hard. Consider this a pick heavily influenced by my fragile heart.
New York Excelsior 2, Philadelphia Fusion 1