2021 Los Angeles Gladiators season

Last updated
2021   Los Angeles Gladiators season
Head coachDavid "dpei" Pei
General managerBrenda "bsuh" Suh
Owner Stan Kroenke
Josh Kroenke
RegionWest
Results
Record11–5 (.688)
Place
May MeleeDid not qualify
June Joust Regional finals
Summer Showdown Regional finals
Countdown Cup Champions
Season Playoffs Lower round 2
Total Earnings$250,000

The 2021 Los Angeles Gladiators season will be the fourth season of Los Angeles Gladiators's existence in the Overwatch League and their fourth season under head coach David "dpei" Pei.

Contents

Preceding offseason

Roster changes

The Gladiators entered free agency with six free agents, four of which became free agents due to the Gladiators not exercising the option to retain the player for another year. [1]

Acquisitions

The Gladiators' first offseason acquisition was Kim "MuZe" Young-hun, a rookie tank player that competed with Paris Eternal 's Overwatch Contenders academy team Eternal Academy the previous season, who was signed on November 8, 2020. [2] The next day, they signed Kim "Shu" Jin-seo, a support player that was a "strong presence at the flex support position" with the Guangzhou Charge for the previous two seasons. [3] The Gladiators bolstered their support position on November 12 with the signing of Grant "Moth" Espe, a support player coming off back-to-back Overwatch League championships with the San Francisco Shock and who is considered as one of the best main support players in the world. [4] The team's final acquisition of the offseason was Kim "Skewed" Min-seok, a rookie flex support player from Overwatch Contenders Korea team OZ Gaming who was signed on December 4. [5]

Departures

None of the Gladiators' free agents returned, two of which signed with other teams, beginning with tank player Son "OGE" Min-seok signing with the Florida Mayhem on December 11, 2020. [6] Tank player Roni "LHCloudy" Tiihonen signed with Overwatch Contenders team Revival on March 11. [7] Three of the Gladiators free agents announced their retirements in the offseason: damage player Jason "Jaru" White, [8] support player Benjamin "BigGoose" Isohanni, [9] and support player Jonas "Shaz" Suovaara. [8] Tank player Aaron "Bischu" Kim did not sign with a team in the offseason.

Regular season

May Melee

The Gladiators began their 2021 season on April 16, playing against the San Francisco Shock in the May Melee qualifiers. They lost their season opener against the Shock 1–3 despite taking an early lead after winning the first map. [10] They lost their next game against the Dallas Fuel 1–3, unable to adjust to the Fuel's off-meta team compositions throughout the match. [11]

Final roster

2021 Los Angeles Gladiators roster
PlayersCoaches
RoleNo.HandleNameNationality
Damage 20 birdring Kim Ji-hyeokSouth Korea
Damage 18kevsterPersson, KevinSweden
Damage 7MirroRTrịnh, Gia HuyVietnam
Tank 9MuZeKim Young-hunSouth Korea
Tank 16 SPACE Halpern, IndyUnited States
Support 64mothEspe, GrantUnited States
Support 1ShuKim Jin-seoSouth Korea
Support 66skewedKim Min-seokSouth Korea
Head coach
  • David "dpei" Pei
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Emojione BW 1F503.svg Substitute
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: December 4, 2020.

Standings

PosTeam
PldWLPtsPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 Dallas Fuel 16115170.68840263+14Advance to season playoffs
2 Los Angeles Gladiators 16115140.68841210+20
3 Atlanta Reign 16115130.68841210+20
4 San Francisco Shock 16124120.75043242+19Advance to play-ins
5 Houston Outlaws 16115110.68834243+10
6 Washington Justice 169790.56329262+3
7 Toronto Defiant 169790.563313100
8 Paris Eternal 168880.500323220
9 Boston Uprising 167970.43827311−4
10 Florida Mayhem 1651160.31326382−12
11 London Spitfire 1611510.06312471−35
12 Vancouver Titans 1611510.06310450−35
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential

Game log

Regular season

2021 game log
May Melee
Qualifier match 1April 16Los Angeles Gladiators1–3 San Francisco Shock Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Ilios 1
3 Eichenwalde 4
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
1 Lijang Tower 2
Qualifier match 2April 17 Dallas Fuel 3–1Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
3:00 pm PDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
4 Blizzard World 3
2 Dorado 3
2 Temple of Anubis 1
Qualifier match 3April 23Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 London Spitfire Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Busan 0
3 Havana 1
2 Volskaya Industries 1
Qualifier match 4April 24 Boston Uprising 0–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
1:30 pm PDT     Details
1 Oasis 2
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
1 Hanamura 2

June Joust
Qualifier match 1May 28Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 Vancouver Titans Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Ilios 0
3 Junkertown 2
3 Hanamura 2
Qualifier match 2May 29 Atlanta Reign 1–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
3:00 pm PDT     Details
1 Busan 2
3 Rialto 4
1 Volskaya Industries 0
2 Numbani 3
Qualifier match 3June 04 Boston Uprising 1–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
12:00 noon PDT     Details
2 Oasis 0
1 Temple of Anubis 2
1 Eichenwalde 2
1 Dorado 2
Qualifier match 4June 05 Paris Eternal 1–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
12:00 noon PDT     Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
3 Hanamura 2
0 Hollywood 3
2 Junkertown 3
Regional finalsJune 06 Dallas Fuel 3–1Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
2:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Oasis 1
3 Hanamura 2
0 Hollywood 1
3 Junkertown 2

Summer Showdown
Qualifier match 1June 25Los Angeles Gladiators3–2 San Francisco Shock Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Ilios 0
3 King's Row 4
1 Junkertown 2
2 Volskaya Industries 1
2 Lijiang Tower 0
Qualifier match 2June 27Los Angeles Gladiators2–3 Paris Eternal Online
12:00 noon PDT     Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Eichenwalde 1
2 Route 66 3
1 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Nepal 2
Qualifier match 3July 09Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 Toronto Defiant Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
5 Temple of Anubis 4
1 Eichenwalde 0
Qualifier match 4July 10 Washington Justice 3–2Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
3:00 pm PDT     Details
2 Nepal 1
2 Hanamura 1
3 Hollywood 4
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
2 Busan 1
Regional semifinalsJuly 11Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 Boston Uprising Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Ilios 0
2 Hanamura 0
4 King's Row 3
Regional finalsJuly 11Los Angeles Gladiators2–3 Atlanta Reign Online
4:50 pm PDT     Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Temple of Anubis 0
0 King's Row 1
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 0
1 Nepal 2

Countdown Cup
Qualifier match 1July 31 Atlanta Reign 3–2Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
1 Blizzard World 2
3 Route 66 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
2 Oasis 0
Qualifier match 2August 01Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 Washington Justice Online
3:00 pm PDT     Details
2 Busan 1
3 Numbani 2
2 Rialto 1
Qualifier match 3August 13 Florida Mayhem 1–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
3:00 pm PDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
0 Temple of Anubis 1
3 King's Row 2
2 Rialto 3
Qualifier match 4August 14Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 Houston Outlaws Online
1:30 pm PDT     Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Hanamura 0
2 Numbani 1
Regional finalsAugust 15 San Francisco Shock 2–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
5:15 pm PDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
2 Hanamura 1
3 Blizzard World 2
2 Havana 3
1 Oasis 2
Tournament first roundAugust 19Los Angeles Gladiators3–2 Chengdu Hunters Online
7:30 pm PDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
2 Temple of Anubis 1
3 King's Row 2
0 Route 66 1
2 Oasis 0
Upper finalsAugust 20Los Angeles Gladiators3–0 Atlanta Reign Online
6:00 pm PDT     Details
2 Oasis 0
4 Hanamura 2
3 King's Row 0
Grand finalsAugust 21 Chengdu Hunters 3–4Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
6:00 pm PDT     Details
2 Oasis 0
0 Temple of Anubis 1
2 Numbani 3
2 Route 66 3
2 Ilios 0
3 King's Row 2
1 Havana 2

2021 season schedule

Postseason

2021 playoff game log
Season Playoffs
Upper round 1September 21 Philadelphia Fusion 1–3Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
5:30 pm PDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
2 Temple of Anubis 1
2 King's Row 3
1 Havana 3
Upper round 2September 22Los Angeles Gladiators1–3 Shanghai Dragons Online
8:30 pm PDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
2 Hanamura 0
0 Numbani 1
0 Havana 1
Lower round 2September 23 Atlanta Reign 3–2Los Angeles GladiatorsOnline
4:00 pm PDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
3 Hanamura 2
5 King's Row 4
1 Dorado 2
2 Nepal 0

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Gladiators</span> American professional esports team

The Los Angeles Gladiators are an American professional Overwatch esports team based in Los Angeles, California. The Gladiators compete in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West region. Founded in 2017, the Los Angeles Gladiators are one of twelve founding members of the OWL and are one of two professional Overwatch teams based in Los Angeles. The team is owned by Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, who also owns Gladiators Legion, an academy team for Los Angeles that competed in Overwatch Contenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Francisco Shock</span> American professional esports team

The San Francisco Shock are an American professional Overwatch esports team based in San Francisco, California. The Shock compete in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West region. Founded in 2017, the San Francisco Shock is one of the twelve founding members of the OWL and is one of three professional Overwatch teams in California. The team is owned by Andy Miller, co-owner of the Sacramento Kings and NRG Esports. The Shock have won three midseason tournament titles, qualified for three season playoffs, and won back-to-back OWL Grand Finals, making them one of the most accomplished franchises in OWL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta Reign</span> American professional esports team

Atlanta Reign was an American professional Overwatch esports team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The team competed in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West region. Founded in 2018 by Atlanta Esports Ventures, a joint venture between Cox Enterprises and Province, Inc., Atlanta Reign was established as one of the expansion teams for the OWL's 2019 season. They became the first esports team to officially represent the city of Atlanta. The team's ownership also extended to ATL Academy, a former academy team that competed in Overwatch Contenders, the developmental league for the Overwatch League.

The 2020 Dallas Fuel season was the third season of the Dallas Fuel's existence in the Overwatch League. The Fuel planned to host a league-high five homestand weekends in the 2020 season at Esports Stadium Arlington, Toyota Music Factory, the Allen Event Center, and two more undetermined locations. While the first homestand at Esports Stadium Arlington took place, all other homestands were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 Florida Mayhem season was the third season of the Florida Mayhem's existence in the Overwatch League and the team's first season under head coach Kim "KuKi" Dae-kuk. The Mayhem planned to host two homestand weekends in the 2020 season at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami and the Full Sail Live Venue at Full Sail University, but all homestand matches were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 Los Angeles Gladiators season was the third season of Los Angeles Gladiators's existence in the Overwatch League and their third season under head coach David "dpei" Pei. The Gladiators planned to host two homestand weekends in the 2020 season, but all homestand matches were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 Toronto Defiant season was the second season of Toronto Defiant's existence in the Overwatch League. The Defiant were scheduled to host two homestand weekends in the 2020 season at Roy Thomson Hall in the Toronto Entertainment District, but both were cancelled in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as the league transitioned to online play. The team ended the season with a 7 wins, 1 bonus win, and 14 losses. The Defiant and were knocked out of postseason contention by the Los Angeles Gladiators in the North American Play-ins bracket.

The 2020 Washington Justice season was the second season of Washington Justice's existence in the Overwatch League. The Justice planned to host a league-high five homestand weekends in the 2020 season; the first three would take place at The Anthem, while the second two would be at the Entertainment and Sports Arena. While the first two homestands at took place, all other homestand events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 Atlanta Reign season was the Atlanta Reign's third season in the Overwatch League and the team's third under head coach Brad "Sephy" Rajani. The team qualified for three of the four midseason tournaments but fell short of reaching the finals each time. For the third consecutive season, the team qualified for the season playoffs. The Reign appeared in the 2021 Grand Finals, the franchise's first Grand Finals appearance, but lost to the Shanghai Dragons, 0–4. Rookie damage player Oh "Pelican" Se-hyun was named the league's Rookie of the Year.

The 2021 Boston Uprising season was the Boston Uprising's fourth season in the Overwatch League and their first under head coach Kim "Lori" Seung-hyun. Boston failed to qualify for any of the four midseason tournaments and missed out on the season playoffs for the third consecutive season.

The 2021 Chengdu Hunters season was the third season of Chengdu Hunters's existence in the Overwatch League and the team's second season under head coach Wang "RUI" Xingrui, after he was the head coach of the team in 2019. The team qualified for three of the four midseason tournaments, reaching the finals twice, but failed to secure a title in any of them. For the first time in franchise history, the team qualified for the season playoffs. However, a loss to the San Francisco Shock in the lower bracket ended their playoff run. Damage player Huang "Leave" Xin won the season's Most Valuable Player award.

The 2021 Dallas Fuel season was the Dallas Fuel's fourth season in the Overwatch League and the team's first under head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won. The team qualified for three of the four midseason tournaments throughout the regular season and won the franchise's first Overwatch League title after defeating the Shanghai Dragons in the May Melee finals. Finishing the regular season atop the West region, the Fuel reached the season playoffs for the first time in the franchise's history; however, they were defeated by the Atlanta Reign in the lower bracket finals. Head coach Yun "RUSH" Hee-won won the league's Coach of the Year award, damage player Kim "Sp9rk1e" Yeong-han was awarded the league's Dennis Hawelka Award, and four players were awarded Role Star commendations, tied for the most players in the league.

The 2021 Florida Mayhem season was the Florida Mayhem's fourth season in the Overwatch League and the team's second season under head coach Kim "KuKi" Dae-kuk. After starting the regular season with a promising 4–1 record, as well as a midseason tournament appearance, the Mayhem went 1–10 in their final 11 games. The team failed to qualify for any other midseason tournaments and did not qualify for the season playoffs.

The 2021 Guangzhou Charge season was the third season of Guangzhou Charge's existence in the Overwatch League and was their first season under head coach Lee "Arachne" Ji-won. After a poor start to the season, the Charge released head coach Lee "Arachne" Ji-won on May 6 and signed Sung-woo "Sungwoo" Hong as their new head coach on June 17. They finished the season with a 5–11 record and did not qualify any postseason matches for the first time in franchise history.

The 2021 Houston Outlaws season was the Houston Outlaws's fourth season in the Overwatch League (OWL). Harsha Bandi, who served as the team's head coach in the 2020 season, and Choi "Junkbuck" Jaewon served as the team's co-head coaches. The Outlaws underwent major roster changes in the offseason, with six of their eight players from 2020 leaving the team. The Outlaws failed to qualify for any of the four midseason tournaments. Houston finished the regular season with an 11–5 record and a fifth-place finish in the Western region. The Outlaws qualified for the West play-in tournament; however, they lost to the Washington Justice in the play-ins and did not qualify for the season playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

The 2021 Paris Eternal season will be the third season of Paris Eternal's existence in the Overwatch League and their first under head coach Zouheir "GetAmazed" Baba.

The 2021 San Francisco Shock season was the fourth season of the San Francisco Shock's existence in the Overwatch League and their third under head coach Park "Crusty" Dae-hee. The team entered the season as the defending back-to-back Overwatch League champions after winning the 2019 and 2020 Grand Finals.

The 2021 Toronto Defiant season will be the third season of Toronto Defiant's existence in the Overwatch League and the team's first under head coach Kim "KDG" Dong-gun.

References

  1. ↑ "2021 Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ Michael, Cale (November 8, 2020). "Los Angeles Gladiators acquires Muze from Eternal Academy". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  3. ↑ Howard, Brandon (November 11, 2020). "Los Angeles Gladiators Sign Shu". TheGamer. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  4. ↑ Howard, Brandon (November 13, 2020). "Los Angeles Gladiators Sign Two-time Champion Moth". TheGamer. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  5. ↑ Richardson, Liz (December 4, 2020). "Los Angeles Gladiators adds flex support skewed". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ Field Level Media (December 11, 2020). "Florida Mayhem sign OGE, SLIME, Checkmate". Reuters. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ Revival [@TheRevivalGG] (March 11, 2021). "Introducing our roster competing in @owpathtopro Contenders Trials" (Tweet). Retrieved March 11, 2021– via Twitter.
  8. 1 2 "Overwatch League free agency 2021 -- signings, rosters and schedules". ESPN. November 10, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  9. ↑ Gwilliam, Michael (October 7, 2020). "Overwatch pro BigG00se retires as Gladiators release multiple players". Dexerto. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. ↑ Field Level Media. "Shock, Outlaws win Overwatch League openers". Reuters. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  11. ↑ Collins, Sean (April 17, 2021). "'Sp9rk1e,' Dallas Fuel could become 'headache' for opponents after decisive 3-1 win over Gladiators". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
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