Crowned champions: Dallas Empire obliterate Atlanta FaZe to claim 2020 Call of Duty League title - The Dallas Morning News

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Consider the Empire built.

And it was constructed in a truly dominant fashion.

Dallas is home to the best Call of Duty team in the world after the Dallas Empire captured the inaugural Call of Duty League championship Sunday afternoon in a 5-1 win over Atlanta FaZe.

The Empire, headlined by league MVP Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro, picked up two wins over championship weekend, both against top-seeded Atlanta.

Sunday’s match was expected to be an all-timer in competitive Call of Duty. Instead, Dallas rode its Saturday momentum to an unquestioned victory.

The first five maps Sunday were identical to what Dallas and Atlanta played in the winner’s championship a day before. Dallas entered with a 1-0 advantage and jumped out to an astounding 4-0 led, shocking FaZe and much of the Call of Duty world.

Atlanta avoided the sweep thanks to a Hardpoint win, but Dallas closed things out during Search and Destroy, earning $1.5 million in the process.

We are WORLD CHAMPIONS @DallasEmpire!

-Only organization to win 2 World Championships
-5 out of 8 World Champs Grand Finals appearances
-#1 organization in Call of Duty prize money won

It doesn't feel real, but this has been MY LIFE for the last 14 years. Tears are flowing.

— Mike Rufail (@hastr0) August 30, 2020

It was a momentous occasion for the league and the Empire players as James “Clayster” Eubanks and Ian “Crimsix” Porter became three-time world champions, tying them with former Seattle Surge star Damon “Karma” Barlow for the most ever.

Eubanks made it a second ring in as many years, while Crimsix added on to his crown of winningest player in Call of Duty esports history with 35 major wins.

It was also a moment of first for the Empire. Dallas head coach Ray “Rambo” Lussier left the professional Call of Duty scene in 2014 after an upsetting second-place finish in the championship match.

His return in 2020 was a redemption arc of sorts, as Lussier was able to accomplish what he couldn’t as a player -- winning a world title.

It was also a first for Empire stars Indervir “iLLeY” Dhaliwal and Cuyler “Huke” Garland. Dhaliwal made his esports debut with the Empire. The 19-year-old remains the youngest player in the CDL, and was able to prove his staying power.

CDL CHAMPS 2020 @DallasEmpire #CrownedVictorious
Going from one of the most difficult points in my life at the start of the year, to today. I couldn’t ask for the end result to be any better. I didn’t care about my legacy, prize money, or the game. I was pissed off for greatness.

— Empire C6 (@Crimsix) August 30, 2020

Garland, who was critical in the team’s construction having recruited Dhaliwal and Cuevas-Castro, hadn’t won an event prior to 2020. He won three regular season home series with the Empire in eight tries, and capped off his monster season with a ring.

It wasn’t perfect, but the playoffs were also a win for the CDL. Players getting disconnected from matches made for a sour start to the playoffs, but connection stabilized and the CDL saw some of the most intense matches in the esports history, including the Empire’s Saturday win over Atlanta.

The league proved it could function in an online format in its inaugural season. Despite hiccups with server connections, the CDL was able to finish the season after having to cancel live events due to COVID-19.

The Empire and CDL will move into 2021 with a new title and new expectations. Whether the league continues online play at the start of the new year or attempts a bubble is still uncertain.

But the Empire is quite sure of themselves. Their quest for being an empire won’t stop with 2020.

The next stop for the Empire is a dynasty.

More to come.

Find more Empire stories from The Dallas Morning News here.

On Twitter: @seanzcollins

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Crowned champions: Dallas Empire obliterate Atlanta FaZe to claim 2020 Call of Duty League title - The Dallas Morning News
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