2021 Toronto Defiant season

Last updated
2021   Toronto Defiant season
Head coachKim "KDG" Dong-gun
OwnerChris Overholt
RegionWest
Results
Record9–7 (.563)
Place
May Melee Regional semifinals
June JoustDid not qualify
Summer ShowdownDid not qualify
Countdown Cup Regional finals
Season PlayoffsDid not qualify
Total Earnings$0

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.

Contents

Preceding offseason

Roster changes

Free agents
PositionHandleName2021 teamDate signedNotes
Damage AgilitiesBrady Girardi Los Angeles Valiant December 9 [1] Option declined
Tank BeastAdam DentonToronto DefiantNovember 6 [2] Option declined
Support KarivBak Young-seo Guangzhou Charge November 10 [3] Option declined
Support KruiseHarrison PondYoung and Beautiful (OWC)March 10 [4] –
Damage LogixAndreas BerghmansToronto DefiantOctober 23 [5] –
Damage MangachuLiam Campbell–––
Tank NevixAndreas Karlsson––Option declined
Tank NumlockedSebastian Barton––Option declined
Support RokyPark Joo-sung–––
Damage SurefourLane Roberts––Option declined
Damage ZykkThomas Hosono––Option declined
Legend
  Light green background indicates a player was re-signed by the Defiant.
  Light red background indicates a player departed from the Defiant.

The Defiant entered free agency with eleven free agents, seven of which became free agents due to the Defiant not exercising the option to retain the player for another year. [6]

Acquisitions

The Defiant's first offseason acquisition was Park "Aztac" Jeong-su, a rookie support player coming off of an Overwatch Contenders Korea championship on team WSG Phoenix while on a loan from Uprising Academy, who was signed on November 17, 2020. [7] Two days later, they signed An "Ansoonjae" Soon-jae, another rookie support player previously playing for Contenders team Element Mystic. [8] On November 21, Toronto signed Kim "Sado" Su-min, a veteran tank player coming off of a season with the Philadelphia Fusion in which he was a top-five main tank player in the league. [9] Two days later, the Defiant acquired damage player Jeong "Heesu" Hee-su from the Philadelphia Fusion. [10] The following day, they signed Choi "Michelle" Min-hyuk, a "consistently impressive" veteran tank player coming off a 2020 Grand Finals season with the Seoul Dynasty. [11] The Defiant made one acquisition in December; on December 11, they signed "Na1st" Lee Ho-sung, a rookie damage player specializing in projectile heroes coming from Contenders team T1. [12] The team's final acquisition was Mun "Lastro" Jung-won, a support player who had recently been released from the Los Angeles Valiant, signing on February 10, 2021. [13]

Departures

Nine of the Defiant's eleven free agents did not return, three of which signed with other teams, beginning with support player Bak "Kariv" Young-seo signing with the Guangzhou Charge on November 10, 2020. [3] On December 9, damage player Brady "Agilities" Girardi signed with the Los Angeles Valiant. [1] The team's final free agent to sign to another team was support player Harrison "Kruise" Pond, who signed with Overwatch Contenders team Young and Beautiful on March 10, 2021. [4] Four of the Defiant's free agents announced their retirements in the offseason: damage player Lane "Surefour" Roberts, [14] damage player Thomas "Zykk" Hosono, [15] tank player Sebastian "Numlocked" Barton, [16] and support player Park "Roky" Joo-sung. [17] Damage player Liam "Mangachu" Campbell and tank player Andreas "Nevix" Karlsson did not sign with a team in the 2020 offseason.

Regular season

The Defiant began their 2021 season on April 17, playing against Canadian rivals Vancouver Titans in the May Melee qualifiers. They won their opener 3–1. [18] Despite starting their following match against the Atlanta Reign with a 0–2 deficit, Toronto defeated the Reign 3–2 to close the week undefeated. [19]

On May 25, the Defiant announced that it had three positive COVID-19 cases within the organization, including damage player Andreas "Logix" Berghmans. Two days later, they signed Luka "Aspire" Rolovic, a damage player from Overwatch Contenders team American Tornado, on a 30-day contract. [20]

Final roster

2021 Toronto Defiant roster
PlayersCoaches
RoleNo.HandleNameNationality
Damage  22Logix Berghmans, Andreas  Belgium 
Damage  12Aspire Rolovic, Luka  United States 
Damage  10Heesu Jeong Hee-su South Korea 
Damage  18Na1st Lee Ho-sung South Korea 
Tank  9SADO Kim Su-min South Korea 
Tank  51Michelle Choi Min-hyuk South Korea 
Support  30ANSOONJAE An Soon-jae South Korea 
Support  77Lastro Mun Jung-won South Korea 
Support  10Aztac Park Jeong-su South Korea 
Head coach
  • Kim "KDG" Dong-gun
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Emojione BW 1F503.svg Substitute
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: June 21, 2021.

Transactions

Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2020 regular season:

Standings

2021 Overwatch League West standings
#TeamPTSWLPCTPMRMD
Playoffs
1 Dallas Fuel 17115.6881640–26–3 +14
2 Los Angeles Gladiators 14115.6881641–21–0 +20
3 Atlanta Reign 13115.6881641–21–0 +20
Play-ins
4 San Francisco Shock 12124.7501643–24–2 +19
5 Houston Outlaws 11115.6881634–24–3 +10
6 [lower-alpha 1] Washington Justice 997.5631629–26–2 +3
7 [lower-alpha 1] Toronto Defiant 997.5631631–31–0 ±0
8 Paris Eternal 888.5001632–32–2 ±0
9 Boston Uprising 779.4381627–31–1 -4
Did not qualify for postseason
10 Florida Mayhem 6511.3131626–38–2 -12
11 [lower-alpha 2] London Spitfire 1115.0631612–47–1 -35
12 [lower-alpha 2] Vancouver Titans 1115.0631610–45–0 -35
Tiebreakers
  1. 1 2 Washington placed ahead of Toronto based on map differential.
  2. 1 2 London placed ahead of Vancouver based on head-to-head record.

Game log

Regular season

2021 game log
May Melee
Qualifier match 1April 17Toronto Defiant3–1 Vancouver Titans Online
3:00 pm EDT     Details
2 Busan 1
3 Eichenwalde 2
1 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
2 Hanamura 1
Qualifier match 2April 18Toronto Defiant3–2 Atlanta Reign Online
6:00 pm EDT     Details
0 Nepal 2
2 Blizzard World 3
3 Dorado 2
2 Temple of Anubis 1
2 Busan 0
Qualifier match 3April 30Toronto Defiant0–3 Washington Justice Online
6:00 pm EDT     Details
0 Oasis 2
0 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Blizzard World 1
Qualifier match 4May 01 London Spitfire 1–3Toronto DefiantOnline
4:30 pm EDT     Details
1 Lijiang Tower 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
1 King's Row 2
2 Havana 3
Regional semifinalsMay 02Toronto Defiant0–3 Florida Mayhem Online
3:00 pm EDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
1 King's Row 2

June Joust
Qualifier match 1May 21 Paris Eternal 1–3Toronto DefiantOnline
3:00 pm EDT     Details
0 Busan 2
3 Eichenwalde 1
2 Dorado 3
1 Temple of Anubis 2
Qualifier match 2May 22Toronto Defiant0–3 Boston Uprising Online
6:00 pm EDT     Details
0 Ilios 2
2 Numbani 3
3 Rialto 4
Qualifier match 3May 29 San Francisco Shock 3–1Toronto DefiantOnline
4:30 pm EDT     Details
2 Oasis 0
1 Junkertown 2
2 Hanamura 1
3 Hollywood 1
Qualifier match 4May 30Toronto Defiant1–3 Houston Outlaws Online
3:00 pm EDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
0 Rialto 3
0 Volskaya Industries 2
0 Numbani 3

Summer Showdown
Qualifier match 1June 26 Florida Mayhem 2–3Toronto DefiantOnline
4:30 pm EDT     Details
1 Ilios 2
2 Hollywood 1
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
2 Hanamura 3
0 Lijiang Tower 2
Qualifier match 2June 27Toronto Defiant3–0 Vancouver Titans Online
6:00 pm EDT     Details
2 Oasis 1
3 Eichenwalde 0
2 Route 66 0
Qualifier match 3July 09 Los Angeles Gladiators 3–0Toronto DefiantOnline
4:30 pm EDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
5 Temple of Anubis 4
1 Eichenwalde 0
Qualifier match 4July 10Toronto Defiant1–3 Dallas Fuel Online
4:30 pm EDT     Details
0 Busan 2
1 Volskaya Industries 2
2 King's Row 1
1 Junkertown 3

Countdown Cup
Qualifier match 1August 06 London Spitfire 1–3Toronto DefiantOnline
3:00 pm EDT     Details
1 Ilios 2
1 Rialto 0
1 Temple of Anubis 2
2 Numbani 3
Qualifier match 2August 07Toronto Defiant3–0 Washington Justice Online
6:00 pm EDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 0
2 Havana 1
2 Hanamura 1
Qualifier match 3August 12 Paris Eternal 2–3Toronto DefiantOnline
3:00 pm EDT     Details
1 Oasis 2
2 Volskaya Industries 3
6 King's Row 5
3 Route 66 2
1 Nepal 2
Qualifier match 4August 14 San Francisco Shock 3–1Toronto DefiantOnline
6:00 pm EDT     Details
1 Busan 2
2 Hanamura 1
2 Numbani 0
Regional semifinalsAugust 15 Paris Eternal 2–3Toronto DefiantOnline
3:00 pm EDT     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
0 Volskaya Industries 1
1 Blizzard World 2
3 Rialto 2
1 Oasis 2
Regional finalsAugust 15Toronto Defiant1–3 Atlanta Reign Online
6:15 pm EDT     Details
1 Busan 2
3 Volskaya Industries 3
3 King's Row 5
1 Route 66 0
1 Oasis 2

2021 season schedule

Postseason

2021 playoff game log
West Play-ins
SemifinalsSeptember 4 Boston Uprising 0–3Toronto DefiantOnline
5:30 pm EDT     Details
1 Busan 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
1 King's Row 3
FinalsSeptember 5Toronto Defiant0–3 San Francisco Shock Online
3:00 pm EDT     Details
0 Oasis 2
1 Volskaya Industries 2
0 Numbani 3

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References

  1. 1 2 Czar, Michael (December 10, 2020). "Agilities returns to the Los Angeles Valiant". Daily Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ Richardson, Liz (November 6, 2020). "Toronto Defiant re-signs main tank Beast". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Howard, Brandon (November 12, 2020). "Guangzhou Charge Add KariV, Mandu". TheGamer. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Young and Beautiful [@YaB_OW] (March 10, 2021). "Here are the players that will be representing Young and Beautiful in EU Contenders this 2021 season" (Tweet). Retrieved March 10, 2021– via Twitter.
  5. ↑ McMahon, Mallory (October 23, 2020). "Toronto Defiant Sign Logix for 2021 Season". The Game Haus. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  6. ↑ "2021 Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  7. ↑ Richardson, Liz (November 17, 2020). "Toronto Defiant signs flex support Aztac". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ Michael, Cale (November 19, 2020). "Toronto Defiant signs ANSOONJAE". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Xavier (November 21, 2020). "Toronto Defiant signs former Fusion tank SADO". Dot Esports. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  10. ↑ Richardson, Liz (November 23, 2020). "Toronto Defiant acquires former Fusion DPS Heesu". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  11. ↑ Richardson, Cale (November 24, 2020). "Toronto Defiant signs off-tank Michelle". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  12. ↑ Czar, Michael (December 12, 2020). "Flex DPS Na1st signs to the Toronto Defiant". Daily Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  13. ↑ Field Level Media (February 10, 2020). "Defiant sign former Valiant support Lastro". Reuters. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  14. ↑ Michael, Cale (February 3, 2021). "Sentinels signs former Overwatch League pro Surefour as a content creator". Dot Esports. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ Michael, Cale (January 17, 2021). "ZYKK retires from Overwatch to pursue VALORANT". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  16. ↑ Field Level Media (January 21, 2021). "Numlocked announces retirement from OWL". Reuters. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  17. ↑ Joo-sung Park [@OW_RoKY] (November 9, 2020). "Player retirement and new challenge" (Tweet). Retrieved January 29, 2021– via Twitter.
  18. ↑ Field Level Media (April 17, 2021). "SP9RK1E leads Fuel past Gladiators in Overwatch Week 1". Reuters. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  19. ↑ Waltzer, Noah; Field Level Media (April 18, 2021). "Houston upsets San Francisco, improves to 2-0 in wild Sunday". Gwinnet Prep Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Richardson, Liz (May 27, 2021). "Toronto Defiant adds DPS Aspire on 30-day contract". Dot Esports. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  21. ↑ Toronto Defiant [@TorontoDefiant] (June 21, 2021). "We are saying goodbye to Adam as he retires from professional Overwatch" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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