The final stage for the 2021 Call of Duty League begins on July 8 with the New York Subliners Home Series. The season is in the home stretch but there’s never been a more important stage for several of the league’s teams. With CDL Champs approaching, some squads are trying to surge their way into the top eight of the standings to make the bracket. Of course, this also means others are doing their best to avoid slipping too far from their current position.
This desire to make Champs and the best position possible should provide some great entertainment throughout Stage 5. The viewing experience starts with the New York Subliners Home Series, where three matches could offer the best entertainment overall.
1. Dallas Empire vs. LA Guerrillas
On paper, this match doesn’t seem too exciting. Dallas is coming off a terrific Stage 4 Major, where it nearly took down Atlanta FaZe in the finals. On the other hand, the Guerrillas are slowly dragging into Stage 5 after a dreadful performance last month. This match should be a sweep for the Empire.
However, it’s not the intrigue for an upset or entertaining maps that makes this match so enticing. Instead, it’s seeing how LA can actually compete against a top CDL roster. The team recently went 0-8 against their Academy team in scrimmages. While they’re sporting a new roster, it will be interesting to see whether they can come close to winning a map against Dallas.
2. New York Subliners vs. LA Thieves
This match is a more traditional “one to watch.” It features the New York Subliners, who see the return of Obaid “Asim” Asim, and the LA Thieves, who come into the series with another new roster. The team added Jonathan “John” Perez after Stage 4, making this their eighth new roster of the season.
The betting odds lean heavily toward New York in this matchup. LA is a complete unknown at this point, however, making the series more of a toss-up.
3. OpTic Chicago vs. New York Subliners
The final match of the home series sees two top teams go head-to-head. New York very well could have taken home the Stage 4 Major title if not for Asim missing the event. The roster should pick up right where they left off in Stage 5.
They’re pitted against OpTic Chicago, who are looking to prove something in Stage 5. They were blown out twice by Dallas at the previous Major and need to start performing well on a consistent basis to secure a decent spot for Champs. Finally, both teams need to win as many matches as possible for Group A seeding. The group is a gauntlet and every match counts. This should be a terrific way to end the home series.
