2021 Shanghai Dragons season

Last updated
2021   Shanghai Dragons season
Overwatch League champions
East Region champions
Head coachMoon Byung-chul
General managerYang Van
Owner NetEase
RegionEast
Results
Record12–4 (.750)
Place
May Melee Grand finals
June Joust Champions
Summer Showdown Champions
Countdown CupDid not qualify
Season Playoffs Champions
Total Earnings$1,770,000

The 2021 Shanghai Dragons season was the fourth season of the Shanghai Dragons's existence in the Overwatch League and their second under head coach Moon Byung-chul.

Contents

Preceding offseason

Roster changes

Free agents
PositionHandleName2021 teamDate signedNotes
Damage DdingYang Jin-hyeok
Damage DiemBae Min-sungShanghai DragonsDecember 2 [1]
Damage DiyaLu Weida
Tank Geguri Kim Se-yeon
Support LuffyYang Sung-hyeon
Legend
  Light green background indicates a player was re-signed by the Dragons.
  Light red background indicates a player departed from the Dragons.

The Dragons entered free agency with five free agents. [2]

Acquisitions

The Dragons's first offseason acquisition was Koo "Fate" Pan-seung, a veteran tank player, who was acquired from the Florida Mayhem on November 11, 2020. [3] Six days later, the Dragons signed Jeong "Erster" Jun, a "generally adaptable" damage player who played with the Atlanta Reign in 2020. [4] Shanghai's final acquisition of the offseason was He "Molly" Chengzhi, a support formerly with the Chengdu Hunters who was signed on November 24. [5]

Departures

Four of the Dragons' five free agents did not return, none of which were signed with other teams, which included damage player Yang "Dding" Jin-hyeok, damage player Lu "Diya" Weida, tank player Kim "Geguri" Se-yeon, and support player Yang "Luffy" Sung-hyeon. Outside of their free agents, the Dragons' first departure was tank player Lee "Fearless" Eui-seok, who was transferred to the Dallas Fuel on November 7. [6] Twenty days later, on November 27, the Dragons released tank player Seo "Stand1" Ji-won. [7]

Regular season

The Dragons' first match of the 2021 season resulted in a win over the Guangzhou Charge in the May Melee qualifiers. [8] After defeating the Philadelphia Fusion in the Eastern regional knockouts, the Dragons entered the May Melee tournament, the first of four midseason double-elimination tournaments in the regular season, as the second-seeded Eastern team. [9] The team fell to the Dallas Fuel in the upper bracket finals, dropping them to the lower bracket of the tournament; the Dragons reached the finals of the tournament through the lower bracket, where they once again lost to the Fuel. [10]

Prior to the start of the June Joust qualifiers, damage player Joon "Erster" Jeong retired. [11] Looking to add depth to their roster, the Dragons signed damage player Lee "WhoRU" Seung-jun several days later. [12] The team won three of their four June Joust qualifying matches to advance them to the regional knockouts. [13] Several days before the knockouts began, the Dragons lost another player to retirement in damage player Bae "Diem" Min-seong; [14] once again looking for depth, the team signed damage player Chae "Develop" Rak-hoon shortly afterwards. [15] The Dragons advanced to the June Joust tournament after defeating the Seoul Dynasty in the regional knockouts. [13] The team lost their first match of the tournament, again to the Fuel; [16] however, after making it to the finals through the lower bracket, the Dragons defeated the Fuel to claim their first title of the 2021 season. [17]

The Dragons continued their success throughout the Summer Showdown, winning all four of their qualifying matches and advancing past the regional qualifiers. [18] Prior to the start of the Summer Showdown tournament, the team added former Dragons player Kim "Daemin" Dae-min as a coach. [19] The Dragons went undefeated in the tournament, and after defeating the Chengdu Hunters in the finals, they claimed their second consecutive midseason tournament title. [20]

In the final tournament cycle of the regular season, the Countdown Cup, the Dragons went 2–2 in the qualifiers, failing to advance to the regional knockouts for the first time in the season; Dragons' head coach Moon "Moon" Byung-chul stated that they were "resting" their players during the tournament cycle. [21] The team finished the regular season with 12 wins, 4 losses, 20 league points, and the top seed in the season playoffs. [22]

Kim "Fleta" Byung-sun, Lee "Lip" Jae-won, and Kim "Izayaki" Min-chul were all MVP candidates for the 2021 regular season. [23] Additionally, Lee "Lip" Jae-won, Kang "Void" Jung-woo, Kim "Izayaki" Min-chul, and Lee "Leejaegon" Jae-gon were awarded Role Star commendations for damage, tank, support, and support, respectively. [24]

Playoffs

Shanghai selected the sixth-seeded San Francisco Shock as their opponent for the first round of the season playoffs; the Dragons swept the Shock, 3–0. [25] The team next defeated the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Gladiators by a score of 3–1. [26] Moving on to the upper bracket finals, the Dragons faced the second-seeded Dallas Fuel, marking the fifth time the two teams had played each other in a midseason or season playoff match in the 2021 season. Despite keeping the maps close, the Dragons came out with a 3–1 victory to advance the Grand Finals bracket. [27]

In the Grand Finals match, the Dragons swept the Reign by a score of 4–0 to win their first OWL championship. [28]

Final roster

2021 Shanghai Dragons roster
PlayersCoaches
RoleNo.HandleNameNationality
Damage 70LIPLee Jae-wonSouth Korea
Damage 1 Fleta Kim Byung-sunSouth Korea
Damage 23WhoRUSeung-jun LeeSouth Korea
Damage 3DevelopChae Rak-hoonSouth Korea
Tank 7FateKoo Pan-seungSouth Korea
Tank 57VoidKang Jun-wooSouth Korea
Support 2LeeJaeGonLee Jae-gonSouth Korea
Support 22IzayakiKim Min-chulSouth Korea
Support 66MollyHe ChengzhiChina
Head coach
  • Moon "Moon" Byung-chul

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Emojione BW 1F503.svg Substitute
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: June 10, 2021.

Transactions

Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2021 regular season:

Standings

PosTeamPldWLPtsPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 Shanghai Dragons 16124200.75038192+19Advance to season playoffs
2 Chengdu Hunters 16115150.68838222+16
3 Seoul Dynasty 16124120.75040220+18Advance to play-ins
4 Philadelphia Fusion 16106100.62537243+13
5 Hangzhou Spark 167970.43832310+1
6 New York Excelsior 167970.438293203
7 Guangzhou Charge 1651150.3132038418
8 Los Angeles Valiant 1601600.000248146
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 17 Guangzhou Charge 03Shanghai DragonsOnline 
5:00 pm CST     Details  
1 Lijang Tower 2
3 Blizzard World 3
0 Dorado 1
0 Temple of Anubis 2
Qualifier match 2April 18 Chengdu Hunters 30Shanghai DragonsOnline 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
2 Oasis 0
1 Eichenwalde 0
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
Qualifier match 3April 30Shanghai Dragons32 Hangzhou Spark Online 
8:00 pm CST     Details  
2 Nepal 0
2 Volskaya Industries 4
0 King's Row 3
1 Havana 0
2 Busan 0
Qualifier match 4May 01Shanghai Dragons30 New York Excelsior Online 
8:00 pm CST     Details  
2 Ilios 1
2 Temple of Anubis 1
3 Blizzard World 1
Regional finalsMay 02Shanghai Dragons32 Philadelphia Fusion Online 
5:00 pm CST     Details  
2 Nepal 1
2 Volskaya Industries 2
1 Eichenwalde 2
0 Havana 1
2 Ilios 1
5 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 4
Tournament first roundMay 07Shanghai Dragons32 Florida Mayhem Online 
10:00 am CST     Details  
2 Ilios 0
1 Hanamura 1
1 King's Row 2
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 0
0 Oasis 2
3 Dorado 2
Upper finalsMay 08 Dallas Fuel 32Shanghai DragonsOnline 
9:00 am CST     Details  
2 Ilios 0
2 Temple of Anubis 2
1 Blizzard World 2
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
0 Oasis 2
2 Dorado 0
Lower finalsMay 08Shanghai Dragons30 Florida Mayhem Online 
1:30 pm CST     Details  
2 Oasis 0
1 Hanamura 0
2 King's Row 1
Grand finalsMay 09Shanghai Dragons24 Dallas Fuel Online 
9:00 am CST     Details  
0 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Temple of Anubis 0
2 King's Row 3
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
2 Ilios 0
1 Blizzard World 2

June Joust
Qualifier match 1May 22Shanghai Dragons30 Chengdu Hunters Online 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
2 Oasis 0
2 Hollywood 1
6 Junkertown 5
Qualifier match 2May 23Shanghai Dragons03 Hangzhou Spark Online 
5:00 pm CST     Details  
1 Nepal 2
3 Numbani 4
0 Rialto 1
Qualifier match 3May 29Shanghai Dragons30 Los Angeles Valiant Online 
5:00 pm CST     Details  
2 Busan 0
3 Rialto 1
1 Volskaya Industries 1
1 Numbani 0
Qualifier match 4May 30 Seoul Dynasty 13Shanghai DragonsOnline 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
1 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Dorado 2
3 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Eichenwalde 3
Regional finalsJune 06 Seoul Dynasty 03Shanghai Dragons Hangzhou, CN 
6:30 pm CST     Details Future Sci-Tech City 
0 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Hollywood 2
Tournament first roundJune 11 Dallas Fuel 30Shanghai DragonsOnline 
10:30 am CST     Details  
2 Busan 0
2 Volskaya Industries 1
3 Numbani 2
Lower round 1June 12 New York Excelsior 03Shanghai DragonsOnline 
10:45 am CST     Details  
0 Busan 2
0 Temple of Anubis 2
2 Numbani 3
Lower finalsJune 12Shanghai Dragons30 Atlanta Reign Online 
12:00 noon CST     Details  
2 Lijiang Tower 1
3 Hanamura 2
4 Numbani 3
Grand finalsJune 13Shanghai Dragons43 Dallas Fuel Online 
9:00 am CST     Details  
0 Lijiang Tower 2
0 Volskaya Industries 2
2 Numbani 1
3 Rialto 4
2 Busan 1
3 Eichenwalde 2
2 Junkertown 1

Summer Showdown
Qualifier match 1July 03 Seoul Dynasty 03Shanghai DragonsOnline 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
0 Busan 2
0 Route 66 1
1 Temple of Anubis 2
Qualifier match 2July 04 Philadelphia Fusion 03Shanghai DragonsOnline 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
1 Lijiang Tower 2
2 Junkertown 3
1 Volskaya Industries 2
Qualifier match 3July 09 Los Angeles Valiant 03Shanghai Dragons Shanghai, CN 
8:00 pm CST     Details Jing'An Sports Center 
1 Nepal 2
0 Volskaya Industries 1
2 King's Row 3
Qualifier match 4July 10 Hangzhou Spark 13Shanghai Dragons Shanghai, CN 
8:00 pm CST     Details Jing'An Sports Center 
0 Ilios 2
1 Hanamura 2
2 Hollywood 1
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
Regional finalsJuly 11 New York Excelsior 03Shanghai Dragons Shanghai, CN 
5:12 pm CST     Details Jing'An Sports Center 
0 Ilios 2
2 Volskaya Industries 3
4 King's Row 5
Tournament first roundJuly 16 Atlanta Reign 03Shanghai DragonsOnline 
11:00 am CST     Details  
0 Nepal 2
1 Hanamura 2
0 King's Row 3
Upper finalsJuly 17 Chengdu Hunters 23Shanghai DragonsOnline 
9:00 am CST     Details  
1 Ilios 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
4 Eichenwalde 3
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
0 Busan 2
Grand finalsJuly 18 Chengdu Hunters 14Shanghai DragonsOnline 
9:00 am CST     Details  
2 Ilios 0
1 Temple of Anubis 2
1 Eichenwalde 3
2 Route 66 3
0 Nepal 2

Countdown Cup
Qualifier match 1July 31 Philadelphia Fusion 30Shanghai DragonsOnline 
8:00 pm CST     Details  
2 Busan 0
1 Numbani 0
2 Rialto 1
Qualifier match 2August 01Shanghai Dragons23 New York Excelsior Online 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
1 Ilios 2
3 King's Row 2
1 Havana 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
1 Lijiang Tower 2
Qualifier match 3August 07 Seoul Dynasty 23Shanghai DragonsOnline 
6:30 pm CST     Details  
2 Nepal 0
2 Route 66 3
2 Temple of Anubis 0
1 Blizzard World 2
0 Busan 2
Qualifier match 4August 08Shanghai Dragons31 Guangzhou Charge Online 
8:00 pm CST     Details  
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Havana 0
0 Hanamura 1
4 Numbani 3

2021 season schedule

Postseason

2021 playoff game log
Season Playoffs
Upper round 1September 22 San Francisco Shock 03Shanghai DragonsOnline 
10:00 am CST     Details  
1 Ilios 2
0 Hanamura 1
2 King's Row 3
Upper round 2September 23 Los Angeles Gladiators 13Shanghai DragonsOnline 
1:30 pm CST     Details  
0 Ilios 2
2 Hanamura 0
0 Numbani 1
0 Havana 1
Upper finalSeptember 23 Dallas Fuel 13Shanghai DragonsOnline 
10:30 am CST     Details  
0 Ilios 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
2 Numbani 3
1 Dorado 3
Grand FinalsSeptember 25 Atlanta Reign 04Shanghai DragonsOnline 
9:00 am CST     Details  
0 Ilios 2
2 Hanamura 3
5 King's Row 6
2 Havana 3

References

  1. Czar, Michael (December 2, 2020). "Diem returns to the Shanghai Dragons". Daily Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  2. "2021 Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  3. Richardson, Liz (November 11, 2020). "Shanghai Dragons acquires main tank Fate". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  4. O'Dwyer, Samuel (November 18, 2020). "Shanghai Dragons add Erster". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  5. Shanghai Dragons [@ShanghaiDragons] (November 24, 2020). "Welcome to the party! Our newest pickup Molly is here!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2021 via Twitter.
  6. Howard, Brandon (November 9, 2020). "Dallas Fuel Sign Fearless From Shanghai Dragons". TheGamer. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  7. Shanghai Dragons [@ShanghaiDragons] (November 27, 2020). "After friendly negotiations, Stand1 has been released from his contract and is now a free agent" (Tweet). Retrieved January 29, 2021 via Twitter.
  8. Field Level Media (April 17, 2021). "Philadelphia Fusion open strong in Week 1 of Overwatch League". Gwinnett Prep Sports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  9. Richardson, Liz (May 3, 2021). "Here are the Overwatch League May Melee teams". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  10. Richardson, Liz (May 8, 2021). "Dallas Fuel win Overwatch League May Melee". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  11. 1 2 O'Dwyer, Samuel (May 21, 2021). "Erster retires from competitive Overwatch". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Czarnowski, Michael (May 25, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons sign highly-touted prospect WhoRU". Upcomer. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  13. 1 2 Richardson, Liz (June 7, 2021). "Here are the Overwatch League June Joust teams". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  14. 1 2 O'Dwyer, Samuel (June 3, 2021). "Diem retires from Overwatch". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  15. 1 2 Czarnowski, Michael (June 10, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons sign Develop to replace recent departures". Upcomer. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  16. Collins, Sean (June 10, 2021). "Dallas Fuel tank player 'Hanbin': Shanghai Dragons 'not prepared' as Fuel continue dominance in June Joust". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  17. Richardson, Liz (June 12, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons win Overwatch League June Joust". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  18. Richardson, Liz (July 12, 2021). "Here are the Overwatch League Summer Showdown teams". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  19. Czarnowski, Michael (July 14, 2021). "Daemin returns to the Shanghai Dragons as coach". Upcomer. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  20. Richardson, Liz (July 17, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons win the Overwatch League Summer Showdown". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  21. Qu, Bonnie (September 20, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons are the team to beat in Overwatch League playoffs". Upcomer. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  22. "Overwatch League 2021 Standings". Overwatch League. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  23. Garcia, Ethan (August 13, 2021). "Fleta, Sp9rk1e among MVP candidates for 2021 Overwatch League season". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  24. Richardson, Liz (September 24, 2021). "Overwatch League reveals 2021 Role Stars". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  25. "Overwatch League playoffs recap: Day 1". Upcomer. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  26. "Overwatch League 2021 playoffs recap: Day 2". Upcomer. September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  27. Collins, Sean (September 24, 2021). "After semifinal loss to Shanghai, Dallas Fuel will eventually have to slay Dragons to win OWL title". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  28. Richardson, Liz (September 25, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons win the 2021 Overwatch League championship". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 26, 2021.