Team Liquid proved they are the class of the American DotA 2 scene as they steamrolled rival Evil Geniuses in the final of the American DotA League.
After previously going undeated in the tournament, Evil Geniuses fell flat against a familiar foe in Team Liquid. Fluff and Co. had little trouble against a lackluster EG, convincingly taking the series 3-0 and winning the first edition of the American DotA League.
Game 1
Although the early game phase went back-and-forth with both teams trading kills, Team Liquid had the clear advantage by securing free farm on TC's Anti-Mage. They used that early momentum to transition into a great mid game, setting up favorable teamfights with Song of the Siren and taking all of EG's outer towers around the 30-minute mark. As they tried to reach high-ground, however, EG showed some resilience, winning a big teamfight in mid-lane thanks to a perfectly-executed 3 man Vacuum into a fully-channeled Unstable Concoction. EG turned around and pushed through mid lane, getting a tier-3 tower in the process before having to fall back to defend their bottom lane, which was under heavy pressure from the split-pushing AM. In the later teamfights, EG always tried to focus the AM with their arsenal of lockdowns (Hex, Abyssal Blade, Dragon Tail), but Liquid simply had too many defensive abilities to let that happen. In the end, Team Liquid's pushing power was too much for EG to handle. Fear even spent all his buyback money on a Butterfly and tried to push through mid in a last-ditch effort to no avail, forcing EG to call GG.
Game 2
Team Liquid carried positive momentum from Game 1 and started Game 2 on the right foot with an early first blood for TC's Dragon Knight. Their laning was superb as well with favorable matchups on all three lanes. This results in a 11-minute Boots of Travel on Bulba's Tinker and Mekansm on Korok's Outworld Devourer. With a 5k gold and experience advantage after 15 minutes, Liquid took the role of the agressor, forcing teamfights and taking towers without much resistance from EG. The turning point of the game came at the 20-minute mark, when EG lost their carry Anti-Mage in the jungle and another three while pushing bottom. The gap grew wider and wider as OD got an Orchid Malevolence and his teammate Tinker also had himself a Scythe of Vyse just 24 minutes in. The GGs came from EG shortly afterwards.
Game 3
Game 3 was a replay of Game 1 in a lot of aspects. Team Liquid got off to yet another flying start, taking a 4k gold and experience lead after ten minutes. EG fought back admirably in the mid game, winning a lot of teamfights courtesy of the deadly Disruption-Static Storm combo from their supports. Despite being down by at least 10k gold/experience the entire game, EG managed to keep the kill score even thanks to the killing potential of their lineup. It was not enough, however, as a poorly-executed fight around the Roshan pit resulted in a teamwipe in favor of Team Liquid, securing them Aegis and a few minutes later, the game.
When it's all said and done, Team Liquid comfortably took the series 3-0 and were crowned champion in the first season of the American DotA League.
The third-place decider between Denial Esports and Dignitas will be played tomorrow July 8th at 2 P.M. ET (9 P.M. CEST). Live streaming will be available courtesy of Maut and NYJohn at the American DotA League Twitch channel.
UPDATE: Denial Esports pulled off an upset against Team Dignitas, taking the series 3-1 and claiming third place of the American DotA League.
|
America Dota 2 League Prizes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Placing | Team | Prizes |
| 1st place | Team Liquid |
$5,000 |
|
2nd place | Evil Geniuses | $3,000 |
| 3rd place | Denial Esports | $2,000 |
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