New York Subliners qualify for Champs with improbable run at Major IV

After being 40 points below qualifying for the Call of Duty League Champs tournament heading into CDL Major IV, the New York Subliners needed a miracle to make the Champs bracket.

The team needed some luck and to at least get a top-three placement to try and sneak their way into the top eight of the standings. After clutch wins over Minnesota and Florida, the Subliners entered Sunday at Major IV with a chance to qualify for Champs.

The LA Thieves stood in their way, but Ian “Crimsix” Porter would not be denied another appearance at Champs.

The Subliners managed to defeat the Thieves 3-1 to earn a grand finals appearance at their own major event. Of course, more importantly, they cracked the top eight of the standings. This means the Florida Mutineers will not be at Champs, even though they’re currently tied with New York in CDL Points. They lose the tiebreaker with NYSL due to the head-to-head series record in 2022.

An unexpected run at the last moment

"You never get a chance to do something like this…"

The @Subliners squad gives their reaction to making #CDLChamps in the @GameFuel Victory Spotlight!#StandClear | #CDL2022 pic.twitter.com/7ZPTz8Xfh8

— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) July 17, 2022

It’s one of the most improbable runs in COD history. New York was sitting in 11th place in the standings for a majority of the season and couldn’t even win a Hardpoint map at the beginning of the season.

However, through determination, clever roster pick-ups and massive improvements, NYSL get it done at Major IV.

Their transformation from the start of the season to now was on full display against the LA Thieves. New York won both Hardpoint maps, something that was impossible for them several months ago. Of course, the catalyst for their improvement in Hardpoint and as a team overall was the pick-up of Matthew “KiSMET” Tinsley. KiSMET put on a show for the New York crowd against the Thieves, dropping 37 and 41 kills in both Hardpoints.

While KiSMET was the MVP of the series with LA, it was a full team effort to make the Major IV grand finals and Champs. From Paul “PaulEhx” Avila’s consistent AR work to Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez’s slaying power with the MP40 to Crimsix’s veteran leadership, NYSL has the makings of a championship-caliber roster. They’ll have two chances to take home a victory in 2022, with the first coming later today in the Major IV finals.