The first Stage 3 qualifier had it’s conclusion over the weekend, with plenty of unexpected moments and some of the craziest play of the entire US Nationals. Alongside that, the final Stage 3 began on Saturday, and with it one of the last chances for teams to qualify for the US Nationals live event.
Qualifier Finals
This weeks qualifier finals started with one of the most chaotic series to date in the US Nationals, taking place between Obey Alliance and Strength for the spot at the Eastern Conference finals. Headed to the first map of the series, Oregon, Obey Alliance started out strong with Adam almost claiming an ace for Obey, falling just short at four kills in the first round. Strength bounced back into the next rounds despite the strong start from Obey, with YardySosa from Strength picking up an ace and allowing Strength to gain a narrow lead headed into the second half of the map. With good attack play out of Obey being equally matched by aggressive play from Strength on the defense, the first game of the series headed into overtime. Despite more aggressive play out of Strength in OT, Obey managed to win the final rounds and the map in a close 7-6 scoreline.
On the second map of Consulate, their aggressive playstyle once again rewarded Strength with early rounds and a 3-0 lead to start off the map. However, despite the relentless aggression from Strength, Obey Alliance found their footing and the answer to the constant barrage of the Strength roster, bringing the map to another overtime and eventually claiming the win. With this victory, Obey Alliance has secured yet another Conference finals appearance.
In the Western qualifier, mousesports were set to face Flawless for a chance at the Western Conference finals, however due to an unexpected player emergency from Flawless leading to a forfeit, mouz moved forward to the Conference finals uncontested.
Online Qualifier #2
The second and final Stage 3 qualifier began this Saturday, giving teams a final opportunity to qualify before the final Wild Card qualifier. In the Eastern conference, MembersOnly managed to make their way through the top of the bracket and secure a place in the finals next week. In the lower side of the bracket, Nomads returned once more, but were unable to make it past one of the strongest NA Challenger League teams in Elephant Gang, who will go on to face MembersOnly.
In the Western conference, Flawless return to another qualifier finals after the unfortunate forfeit in the first Stage 3 qualifier. In the lower side of the bracket, Strength returned to face SiNisterGG, having come just short of a spot at the Conference finals the day before. After a win against SiNisterGG, Strength fell to HypeR Esports, who go on to face Flawless in next week's qualifier finals.
With the first teams in the Conference finals confirmed, and the teams lined up for the final Stage 3 qualifier, the action is heating up as teams try to avoid the last chance Wild Card qualifier. The US Nationals returns with the second Stage 3 qualifier finals October 12, live on the official Rainbow Six Twitch channel.
