100 Thieves takes shocking win over The Guard; XSET and NRG follow with their own - NA Main Event Group A Recap

Written By Aashir Ahmed Writer
Last UpdatedMay 16, 2022 at 09:58PM
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After three days of intense battles, the inaugural weekend of VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event has come to an end. The event produced some interesting developments, which will be crucial in determining which team is worthy of a spot at VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Masters Copenhagen. A total of six matches took place, three per each group. The following article will feature a detailed recap of each matchup from Group A.

The Guard vs 100 Thieves

VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event
The Guard
The Guard
0
X
2
100 Thieves
100 Thieves
Group A, Best of 3 - May 13, 2022 - 8:00PM
The Guard5
Fracture
100 Thieves13
The Guard6
Bind
100 Thieves13
The GuardThe Guard
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Chamber
1.33
282
38/29/3
+9
1.31
59.2%
182.1
27%
63%
5
3
Brimstone
0.86
167
21/27/13
-6
0.78
75.9%
101.0
19%
50%
2
2
BreachSkye
0.85
192
23/27/7
-4
0.85
62.3%
117.7
30%
67%
2
1
Raze
0.82
191
21/30/11
-9
0.70
70.2%
124.9
11%
60%
9
6
Viper
0.25
83
9/32/5
-23
0.28
51.5%
63.0
18%
0%
0
7
100 Thieves100 Thieves
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
RazeSkye
1.37
284
38/23/8
+15
1.65
78.5%
182.1
20%
40%
4
6
SageViper
1.32
224
34/17/12
+17
2.00
89.0%
145.6
16%
50%
1
1
Brimstone
1.14
219
29/24/12
+5
1.21
78.5%
128.1
35%
63%
5
3
ChamberRaze
1.03
222
27/24/10
+3
1.13
70.5%
133.3
20%
54%
7
6
BreachSage
0.73
139
17/24/14
-7
0.71
78.5%
94.8
25%
50%
2
2

100 Thieves’s roster revamp seems to finally be paying off as they welcomed the Guard’s roster to Stage 2 with an overwhelming loss. The Guard, NA’s 1st seed in Stage 1, were given direct invitation to the tournament instead of having to overcome qualifying events. Considering their last head-to-head, the Guard were relatively confident going into the matchup, but the new 100 Thieves roster made them realize how different their experience would now be.

Proceedings began on Fracture, 100 Thieves’ map pick and they were successful in demonstrating their intent to win this matchup from the get go. One round after the other fell to the surprisingly aggressive strategies 100 thieves was deploying. They took eight consecutive rounds in the first half before The Guard was able to demonstrate resilience and take a couple of rounds back. However, 100 Thieves had already dealt enough damage to shake their foundation and The Guard couldn’t do much to turn the match around in either half; therefore, succumbing to a loss of that map with a 13-5 final score.

With The Guards new founded respect and 100 Thieves chance for redemption on the line, both teams started strong on Bind and took turns controlling the momentum such that the scoreboard read 6-6 by halftime. Being on equal footing gave both teams a plausible chance at turning the map in their favor. Nonetheless, considering that it was 100 Thieves attack phase in the second half meant that the fans would witness a repeat of their first map performance. This hypothetical scenario played out with such precision that 100 Thieves was able to take The Guard down on seven back-to-back rounds, closing out the map on a 13-6 score.

XSET vs Ghost Gaming

VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event
XSET
XSET
2
X
0
Ghost Gaming
Ghost Gaming
Group A, Best of 3 - May 14, 2022 - 11:00PM
XSET13
Haven
Ghost Gaming11
XSET13
Fracture
Ghost Gaming9
XSETXSET
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
SkyeSage
1.11
228
34/28/20
+6
1.21
73.9%
153.9
21%
20%
2
8
Breach
1.10
214
37/30/13
+7
1.23
80.3%
127.5
23%
55%
6
5
JettRaze
1.07
226
34/32/12
+2
1.06
82.8%
154.4
23%
67%
6
3
OmenBrimstone
1.01
198
30/26/20
+4
1.15
74.1%
131.1
19%
80%
4
1
Chamber
0.78
171
30/31/6
-1
0.97
63.3%
117.4
22%
27%
3
8
Ghost GamingGhost Gaming
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
KAY/ORaze
1.11
218
33/30/20
+3
1.10
71.4%
138.0
21%
53%
8
7
JettChamber
0.97
205
33/33/8
0
1.00
67.2%
129.7
31%
60%
9
6
OmenBrimstone
0.88
164
26/35/20
-9
0.74
73.5%
107.5
50%
50%
1
1
ChamberSage
0.86
184
29/35/7
-6
0.83
69.5%
128.9
27%
50%
5
5
Breach
0.78
160
26/32/9
-6
0.81
67.6%
107.3
26%
50%
2
2

Despite being relegated to the Lower Brackets in the Round of 16 of the 2nd qualifiers, they managed to keep their composure and take out four teams dropping only a single map against NYFU where they lost 13-11, not too far from forcing overtime either. XSET, on the other hand, received a direct invitation to the tournament from placing 4th in VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 1 - Main Event.

In this matchup, both teams started on Haven and while neither team had complete control over the momentum, XSET managed to maintain the lead till the end. Winning the pistol rounds in both halves was vital in their success since Ghost Gaming was able to retaliate in the second half with almost seven consecutive rounds to force overtime. Nonetheless, Brendan "BcJ" Jensen’s contributions in round 24 as well as through the entire map played a crucial role in their win.

Now it was Fracture’s turn to host the battle between these teams and Ghost Gaming couldn’t wait to capitalize on this opportunity since it was their map pick. As the match started, their roster effortlessly took the first 5 rounds propelling them to an early lead. But before they could deal further damage to XSET’s position in the matchup, they lost control over the momentum and XSET managed to hold their offense one round after the other till halftime. Ghost Gaming was once again in an unfavorable position, but they were unable to make any substantial effort to mitigate the situation and were forced to surrender the map with a 9-13 score losing their initial game of the event.

NRG Esports vs TSM FTX

VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event
NRG
NRG
2
X
0
TSM
TSM
Group A, Best of 3 - May 15, 2022 - 8:00PM
NRG15
Breeze
TSM13
NRG13
Ascent
TSM10
NRGNRG
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
SkyeKAY/O
1.30
258
45/33/19
+12
1.36
82.8%
159.8
22%
75%
6
2
OmenRaze
1.18
243
42/34/16
+8
1.24
72.7%
169.0
21%
62%
8
5
Chamber
1.13
225
44/33/4
+11
1.33
71.9%
151.4
35%
63%
10
6
SovaFade
0.91
176
32/28/18
+4
1.14
74.8%
119.5
19%
27%
3
8
ViperOmen
0.72
126
21/28/20
-7
0.75
71.3%
77.0
25%
0%
0
3
TSMTSM
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Fade
0.90
175
30/37/25
-7
0.81
71.9%
120.7
31%
25%
1
3
JettRaze
0.88
197
34/37/6
-3
0.92
59.4%
132.2
28%
50%
7
7
Sova
0.88
195
31/32/14
-1
0.97
69.1%
139.4
22%
33%
2
4
Chamber
0.85
182
32/40/10
-8
0.80
68.3%
113.5
22%
50%
11
11
ViperAstra
0.78
167
29/38/10
-9
0.76
62.6%
105.2
34%
60%
3
2

NRG with the return of Ethan "Ethan" Arnold has been looking stronger than ever. Their team managed to earn qualify the qualification spot after a unparalleled run in the Upper Brackets without dropping a single map, even against the likes of Version1 and Pittsburgh Knights. Similarly, the addition of revamped TSM roster consisting of Johann "seven" Hernandez and Anthony "gMd" Guimond has also reinstated their hopes of winning the event.

Despite NRG taking the pistol round and potentially setting themselves up for an easy run through the first half, TSM were able to diffuse their hopes early on and add four rounds beside their logo on the scoreboard. NRG foresaw the danger of letting TSM’s control of the momentum continue and decided to act by tying them up to 6-6 by the end of the half. The same narrative mirrored over in the second half, except that NRG was the dominant team earlier and TSM had to exert effort to force Overtime. Both teams survived the first overtime by taking respective rounds playing defense, but NRG was able to edge TSM and close out in the second overtime mainly in part due to Ethan "Ethan" Arnold.

The loss should’ve served as a wakeup call to TSM, who had a better chance to comeback in the matchup especially since it was time for their map pick. After the first couple of rounds on Ascent fell to NRG it seemed that the matchup would not last very long. However, the LG roster still kept their hopes of winning intact and put up four rounds of their own by halftime behind NRG’s 8. TSM desperately tried to take the lead, but NRG constantly proved they were the better team and reached a score 13 just as the TSM roster saw a double-digit score. The outcome of this matchup wasn’t pleasant for TSM, but this matchup was one of six they’ll play over the upcoming weeks, so they still have time to make an impact in the tournament.

As a dedicated Behavioral Neuroscience student, I have immersed myself in the world of esports writing for the past five years. My journey began with a deep-seated fascination for the inherent dynamics of esports, coupled with a burning passion for professional writing. From humble beginnings crafting small blogs dedicated to League of Legends, I gradually expanded my horizons to cover diverse realms, including CSGO and Minecraft guides, and staying on top of Fortnite updates.

Throughout this adventure, my evolving interests ultimately converged on the captivating world of VALORANT of esports and embracing this challenge wholeheartedly, I've strived to provide comprehensive coverage at the highest level, delving into the intricate nuances of the game.

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