It isn't looking so good for the LCS.
The Worlds 2022 group stage has been going on for the past four days and with the first round-robin already done, there are just four days of matches left for each group to determine the top eight finalists for the playoffs. And with Worlds 2022 being held in North America this year, this meant that fans of the LCS had the chance to witness their favourite teams going up against the best from around the world.
Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case thus far. Cloud9, 100 Thieves, and Evil Geniuses are currently dead last in their respective groups with a 0-3 scoreline. To put it into further perspective, the LEC also has three teams in the group stage (Rogue, G2 Esports, and Fnatic) that are currently placed higher than the LCS.
Rogue are first in Group C while G2 are third in Group B and Fnatic is second in Group A. Both Fnatic and G2 were also able to put the 'NA vs EU' rivalry to rest after key victories against the likes of C9 and EG. The only time NA ever came out on top in the rivalry was during the second elimination match of the Play-In Stage where EG sent MAD Lions home.
But as things stand, all three LCS teams have a slim chance of making it through to the playoffs. And this could very well be the fourth time in the past 12 years that the LCS doesn't make it to the next round. The only way that the LCS can qualify is to win their next three games in a row, which is very much easier said than done. But if history is any indication, C9 could be the only team to make it through.
The boys in blue have been to the playoffs in six of the 12 world championships, the most of any LCS team at the moment. However, they've never made it past the quarterfinals on five separate occasions. 2018 was C9 best year as that was the only time they made it to the semifinals. It's also worth noting that C9 is currently in this year's 'group of death' with the likes of EDward Gaming, T1, and Fnatic to deal with. Having already lost against all three once, it'll take a gargantuan effort for C9 to pull through with three straight victories.
As for 100T, this is only their third-ever appearance at Worlds with the last two ending in the group stage as well. They have been rather sluggish in the group stage, losing to debutants CTBC Flying Oyster in their opening match before failing to make any real impression against Gen.G Esports and Royal Never Give Up.
Lastly, there's EG. All credit to them; while they are currently last, they have managed to put on quite a show for the LCS fans in Madison Square Garden. In both their matches against DWG.KIA and JD Gaming, EG had the advantage and the momentum but just couldn't see the game out to the end. They did also get stomped by G2 in the NA vs EU rivalry, further fueling the narrative that the LEC has easily surpassed the LCS.
There is still plenty of time for these three teams to regroup and reset for the next set of round-robin matches in hopes of achieving the unthinkable. C9 does have the hardest time as they will have to play Fnatic, EDG, and T1 once more in that order. EG will be playing G2 first before their following match against JD Gaming and ending it with DWG once again. As for 100T, they will play CFO to start the second round-robin before facing RNG and then Gen.G in a doubleheader matchup. Of course, their chances are slim as pointed out by LoL Esports Stats on Twitter with each LCS team given a 12.5 per cent chance of forcing a tiebreaker in their group.
Worlds 2022 starts with Group A tomorrow to determine who will be heading to the playoffs. Don't forget to catch all the action on Riot Games' official Twitch channel.
