Cloud9 and TSM Compete for Worlds 2020

In a thrilling best-of-five series, Team SoloMid performed a reverse sweep against Golden Guardians and secured the 3-2 win. The victory set up what may be the most highly anticipated series all year, TSM versus Cloud9 for the final spot at Worlds 2020.

The 2020 #LCS Summer Playoffs continue on Saturday with @TSM facing off against @Cloud9 followed by @TeamLiquidLoL going up against @FlyQuest on Sunday! Head over to https://t.co/G6oUIiVKPL now for the @budlight League Lounge! Thank you for watching and have a good night! pic.twitter.com/ZYyYdSm5qr

— LCS (@LCSOfficial) August 24, 2020

Cloud9 Versus TSM

TSM Claws Forward

The win against Golden Guardians was hard-fought. GG held the first two wins, and considering the level of TSM’s play in the first couple of rounds, it looked to be a clean 3-0 sweep once again. But Soren “Bjergsen” Bjerg refused to lose. His plays surged and seemed to inspire his teammates, which led to victory and the eventual three wins. His excellent performance granted him Player of the Series.

.@Bjergsen is the Player of the Series for the 2020 #LCS Summer Playoffs series between @TSM and @GoldenGuardians! #TSMWIN pic.twitter.com/JjJy2yQ1hq

— LCS (@LCSOfficial) August 24, 2020

However, the victory did not come without struggle. TSM started their playoff run in the middle of the bracket with their first match against Golden Guardians. Analysts predicted a close series but an overall TSM victory.

To fans’ surprise, Golden Guardians decimated TSM 3-0 and relegated them to the loser’s bracket. TSM’s confidence was at an all-time low. This team eventually claimed the 3-0 victory against Dignitas, the 8th seed, but the play was once again far from convincing. Although TSM earned the chance to claim their first Worlds spot in three years, the team holds many areas where it can improve.

Cloud9 Seek To Reclaim its Throne

Cloud9’s win against Evil Geniuses has alluded to former glory, but it is still unclear how they will perform during a match. They have yet to show the same dominance they displayed during the Spring Split. Fortunately for Cloud9, Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen has continued to perform at a consistently high level despite his own team’s struggles. His high-level plays earned him Player of the Series.

.@Zven is the Player of the Series for the 2020 #LCS Summer Playoffs series between @Cloud9 and @EvilGeniuses! #C9WIN pic.twitter.com/C7ACtQQmrM

— LCS (@LCSOfficial) August 22, 2020

Cloud9 started the playoffs as the second seed, but their competence was called into question after losing 1-3 to FlyQuest. Fans were shocked at this sudden drop in skill since C9 had the most dominant Split in LCS history last Spring. Robert “Blaber” Huang was heralded as the best jungler in North America. The rest of C9 were given similar informal accolades. But in the latter half of Summer, the team finished 4-5. Cloud9 will be looking to defeat TSM and fill the shoes they left behind in Spring.

Team Liquid’s Redemption

Team Liquid easily defeated Golden Guardians to secure its spot at Worlds in a clear 3-0 series. The semifinals match against FlyQuest is predicted to be a similar result. But this reliability was unexpected at the start of the Summer Split. TL had just come off its worst performance in years, placing in 9th. Its star ADC, Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, was eventually sent to TSM in favor of an Academy player, Edward “Tactical” Ra. It was unsure how this team would perform without the player that seemed to be a pillar in the team’s infrastructure, but now TL is looking to claim its fifth championship in three years.

Golden Guardians, Honorable Mention

Since entering the league, Golden Guardians held a shaky position in the LCS. In Season 8, they finished last place in both Spring and Summer Split. It wasn’t until this year that gears started to turn. The addition of Can “Closer” Çelik has transformed its play, earning him a spot on the 3rd LCS All-Pro roster. But it was during Playoffs that their bottom lane started to take the spotlight.

I’m sorry I ran it down gg

— Victor Huang (@VictorHuang) August 24, 2020

Victor “FBI” Huang and Choi “Huhi” Jae-hyun have been dominating in their roles. This is FBI’s first year in the LCS and Huhi had just role-swapped to support from the middle lane the previous year. After their losing series against TSM, Doublelift, the former best ADC in North America, praised FBI and Huhi during the post-game interview. He called them the best bottom lane in NA.

This is shaping to be one of the most exciting matches of the year. Whether or not TSM or Cloud9 will take the final spot for Worlds 2020  willdepend on one series.

Written by Devon Huge