/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/WZXZ56COP5CHJKN3SYVLCQZCVA.jpg)
The Dallas Fuel are a team of uncertainties. Even when the Fuel were at full strength during the 2020 season, they had an inconsistent product. They would play top teams close, then fumble against weaker opponents.
Results, along with in-house disagreements and a need for new direction, led to the departure of two coaches and a star player, leaving the keys with interim head coach Kim “Yong” Yong-Jin.
He has the Fuel for the final stretch of the season, and Dallas has a manageable schedule with matchups this weekend against the Los Angeles Gladiators and Vancouver Titans.
Here’s a preview, prediction and player to watch as the Fuel conclude their first full week under Kim:
Streaming schedule
Friday:
4 p.m. CT -- Los Angeles Gladiators @ Dallas Fuel
Saturday:
4 p.m. CT -- Vancouver Titans @ Dallas Fuel
Notable:
Dallas has played both of its weekend opponents once this season, and failed to take a map in either. It’s important to note that the Fuel’s 3-0 loss to the Titans on June 20 was DPS player Stefan “Onigod” Fiskerstrand’s first match with the team. The Fuel sat their former superstar, and now Washington Justice player, Jang “Decay” Gui-un for the first time all season against the Titans.
What’s at stake?
Fans will almost certainly have low expectations for the Fuel through the remainder of the season. If Dallas were to win both matches this weekend it would be a solid start for Dallas, but an inevitable rebuild looms in the offseason. What’s really at stake is the future culture of the Dallas Fuel.
Kim can get Dallas on the right track with organization and expectations from players and the coaching staff. He doesn’t have much time to work with before the playoffs, but any form of consistency would be a step forward, especially with a win or two.
Three keys
Control Space: Dallas is going to get highlight plays from its damage line. Kim “DoHa” Dongha and Fiskerstrand have played well given the circumstances recently, so the Fuel need other players to step up.
Against the Gladiators, that likely means the tank line. Indy “Space” Halpern and former Fuel player Son “OGE” Minseok are quality tank players, but aren’t so overpowering that the Fuel’s Lucas “NotE” Meissner and Noh “Gamsu” Youngjin can’t command a match.
The Gladiators have struggled with consistency this season almost as much as the Fuel. Clean, team gameplay could be enough to be competitive.
Is he hacking?: For the Fuel, the answer could be “yes.” DoHa is one of the best Sombra players in the world, and with Genji out of the hero pool rotation -- along with Tracer, Zarya and Brigitte -- the Fuel may need Doha’s hacks to be on point.
Tracer was also a common pick for Onigod, so the entire DPS line could see a shift. A Reaper and Mei composition could be in story for the Fuel, but Sombra could be their best bet at playing to their strengths. Onigod should be fine to play hitscan heroes like Widowmaker and Ashe, so the matches against the Gladiators and Titans could come down to DoHa’s value.
Regain: Overwatch League caster Andrew “ZP” Rush may have said it best in a phone interview with The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday. Losing to Los Angeles wouldn’t mean the end of times, but falling to Vancouver again would be a bad look.
The Titans, even since their win over the Fuel earlier this season, have consistently been one of the worst teams in the league.
That’s a match the Fuel need to win. So if Dallas can’t beat Los Angeles, it needs to quickly regain its composure.
Player to Watch
Onigod: Fiskerstrand has it tough playing online matches from Norway. Kim said the Fuel have found difficulty in putting together some strategies because Fiskerstrand is often pinging way higher than the other players competing. Support player William “Crimzo” Hernandez is also playing from Canada, so the Fuel are all over the place.
If Fiskerstrand can overcome the uncontrollables for two hours, the Fuel could have a quality weekend.
Final prediction
Gladiators over Fuel, 3-1.
Fuel over Titans, 3-1.
"fuel" - Google News
August 14, 2020 at 01:01AM
https://ift.tt/2PM0Gtg
Preview, prediction and player to watch: How the Dallas Fuel can turn final hero bans to their advantage - The Dallas Morning News
"fuel" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WjmVcZ
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Preview, prediction and player to watch: How the Dallas Fuel can turn final hero bans to their advantage - The Dallas Morning News"
Post a Comment