With the US Nationals finals in Las Vegas approaching fast, teams played for one last opportunity to qualify for a US Nationals LAN spot through the Wild Card Qualifiers last week, with two teams securing the last tickets to Las Vegas.
Eastern Wild Card Qualifier
The Eastern Wild Card qualifier saw mousesports and Strength make it once more to the finals, headed towards a highly anticipated rematch between the teams. With mousesports having attempted to qualify for the US Nationals finals in all four stages, but falling short each time, pressure was high on the Pro League team to live up to expectations and secure this final opportunity to the event. Headed onto the first map of the series, Oregon, Strength started the map with a confident first round win, however mouseports found their footing shortly after and secured a narrow 3-2 lead at the side swap. Despite the effort from Strength, mousesports were able to hold the lead and eventually win the map 6-4.
With momentum on the side of mousesports headed into the second map of the series, Border, Strength looked unable to break the defence by mousesports, only finding a single round and leading to a 4-1 lead for mousesports at the halfway point. With another round for mousesports on the attack, Strength were left with the difficult task of needing the next 4 rounds in a row to secure overtime and stay in the series. While Strength were able to find at least one more round, the attack from mousesports proved too difficult to halt as they won the map 6-2, and secured the final opportunity to represent the Eastern teams headed to Vegas.
Western Wild Card Qualifier
In the Western Wild Card finals, Evil Geniuses (with ⅗ of their Pro League roster present) made an attempt at qualification as they faced Digital Dynasty with the hopes of making it to Vegas. Starting on Club House, close rounds between Digital Dynasty and Evil Geniuses showcased the strength of both teams, with early round leads by Digital Dynasty being denied by strong outplay from Evil Geniuses leading to a slight 3-2 lead headed into the second half. As the teams changed sides, rounds came close once more for both sides, with Evil Geniuses finding the advantage and eventual lead. With strong potential play out of Digital Dynasty denied, Evil Geniuses won the first map 6-3 and headed onto Coastline with the hope to secure a 2-0 series victory.
A strong showing from Digital Dynasty on the first map showed potential, however the win and momentum from Evil Geniuses soon proved too strong headed onto Coastline. Once more, strong defensive play from Evil Geniuses secured early rounds and brought the scoreline to a 4-1 lead to Evil Geniuses, with a standout performance from Evil Geniuses nvK in the fifth round as he secured four total kills in the round to close the first half. Headed onto attack, Evil Geniuses made quick work of securing the first round and putting them onto map and series point. With a steep lead to play against, Digital Dynasty were able to showcase strong play and secure the coming rounds, however Evil Geniuses would eventually take the last round needed and win the series with a 6-3 win on Coastline.
All teams are now confirmed for the US Nationals in Las Vegas with the end of the Wild Card qualifiers, with Evil Geniuses securing the final Western spot and mousesports finally securing the Eastern spot. All the teams will now be getting ready and making their way to Las Vegas to play for their shot at the US Nationals finals to become Team USA.
Tickets are still available to catch the US Nationals live in action in Las Vegas at the Rio Hotel here or you can watch the US Nationals finals live December 15, on the official Rainbow Six Twitch channel.
