Atlanta, GA

Mental block not why ‘Rambo,’ OpTic Texas is undefeated against Atlanta FaZe

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2022

Mental block not why ‘Rambo,’ OpTic Texas is undefeated against Atlanta FaZe

OpTic Texas and Atlanta FaZe is perhaps probably the most compelling matchup this season within the Name of Responsibility League, however the outcomes haven’t advised something apart from OpTic dominance.

Texas picked up its fourth win of the season in opposition to Atlanta with a 3-1 victory Sunday night. It’s really 5 wins when counting the Professional-Am. OpTic beat FaZe thrice with starter Indervir “iLLeY” Dhaliwal, surprised FaZe with Jordon “Normal” Normal and dealt with FaZe as soon as extra in Byron “Prolute” Vera’s third CDL match ever.

Vera mentioned OpTic is perhaps a psychological block for FaZe, and the CDL analyst desk favored that time period as effectively. However the remainder of OpTic Texas didn’t actually have a look at their 5-0 report in opposition to FaZe that approach.

At the very least head coach Ray “Rambo” Lussier didn’t.

“I’m probably not fearful about what they do or how they really feel concerning the state of affairs,” Lussier instructed The Dallas Morning Information on Sunday. “I’m simply fearful about what we do. The truth that we step as much as the event each time we play a few of our greatest CoD each time we play them, that’s what I’m enthusiastic about.”

Atlanta and Texas are the 2 greatest groups within the Name of Responsibility League. The proof will not be solely of their information however their consistency in opposition to the remainder of the league.

So why has OpTic had its footprint all around the head-to-head matchup? Brandon “Dashy” Otell credited a number of components. Texas gamers love grinding the sport collectively, he mentioned. They usually excel in all three sport modes.

OpTic entered Sunday’s match because the clear-cut higher group in search and destroy. FaZe gained Bocage search 6-4 anyway. In idea, that ought to’ve opened the sequence up for Atlanta.

It didn’t.

OpTic gained all three respawns, and Lussier mentioned the hardpoint maps may’ve been much more lopsided if Texas didn’t step by itself toes.

Prolute led OpTic with a 1.38 kill-death ratio in opposition to FaZe. Seth “Scump” Abner was the worst slayer on the group with a 1.20 kill-death ratio, and if he have been averaging that line he’d be a high MVP candidate.

Texas’ fundamentals are the very best within the CDL proper now. Name of Responsibility is a sport of positional warfare, Lussier mentioned. OpTic has managed to remain on the high by a pair roster adjustments due to their positioning and decision-making.

“You’re not going to kill top-tier gamers in a very good place,” Lussier mentioned. “No one is hidden from that, not even FaZe.”

OpTic’s success with Prolute is plain. They’ve a 9-1 map rely with two extra Stage III matches to go in opposition to the New York Subliners and Los Angeles Thieves subsequent weekend. Maintain enterprise and the highest seed at Main III is theirs.

Even with Vera filling in properly, OpTic can’t afford to decelerate. They need to proceed to be taught the sport and adapt for when Dhaliwal returns from nursing a thumb damage.

That alone has been motivation. OpTic doesn’t have a monkey on its again. It doesn’t have a group that beats it repeatedly.

“We’re clicking and I feel the largest factor is we don’t plan on changing into complacent anytime quickly,” Otell mentioned. “We’re at all times including new stuff so we aren’t falling off or changing into simpler to learn.”

To credit score OpTic’s success in opposition to FaZe as a psychological block is a bit disingenuous. Texas has simply performed higher.

Discover extra OpTic protection from The Dallas Morning Information right here.

Discover extra esports protection from The Dallas Morning Information right here.

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Atlanta, GA

4 passengers injured as hundreds evacuate Delta flight by emergency slide in Atlanta

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

4 passengers injured as hundreds evacuate Delta flight by emergency slide in Atlanta

Hundreds of passengers were forced to evacuate a Delta airlines flight by emergency slides in snowy conditions Friday after an aborted takeoff in Atlanta — leading to at least four injuries and one hospitalization, authorities said.

Roughly 200 people hurriedly deplaned Minneapolis-bound flight 2668 on the tarmac at Atlanta International Airport at 9:10 a.m. due to an engine problem, airline officials said.

Footage posted on social media shows frazzled travelers, including children, running with their luggage from a Boeing 757-300 plane in several inches of snow, according to atlantanewsfirst.com.

Hundreds of passengers were forced to evacuate the flight by emergency slides in the snow. X/KarlenePetitt

Four passengers reported minor injuries and one was taken to the hospital, while the others were treated at the scene, the airport said.

Details about the engine problems were not immediately clear.

Delta apologized to passengers for the nerve-wracking experience.

delta plane — Passengers deplaned by slide after the aborted takeoff. X/KarlenePetitt

“Delta’s flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight…after an indication of an engine issue,” Delta said in a statement.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”

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Atlanta, GA

Houston faces Atlanta on 3-game win streak

Published

14 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Houston Rockets (25-12, second in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (19-19, ninth in the Eastern Conference)

Atlanta; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Houston seeks to continue its three-game win streak with a victory over Atlanta.

The Hawks have gone 10-7 at home. Atlanta ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 17.5 fast break points per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 3.6.

The Rockets have gone 12-6 away from home. Houston averages 113.1 points and has outscored opponents by 6.0 points per game.

The Hawks’ 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.7 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Rockets give up. The Hawks average 113.1 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 119.8 the Hawks give up to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals for the Hawks.

Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and five assists for the Rockets.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 5-5, averaging 119.2 points, 41.2 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 11.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points per game.

Rockets: 7-3, averaging 113.7 points, 48.0 rebounds, 19.9 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points.

INJURIES: Hawks: Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: day to day (personal).

Rockets: Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Jabari Smith Jr.: out (hand).

——

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Atlanta, GA

MLS apologizes for falsely announcing Atlanta United transfer

Published

22 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

MLS apologizes for falsely announcing Atlanta United transfer

Major League Soccer apologized Thursday for publishing a story on its website that identified the wrong player as having transferred to one of its clubs, Atlanta United.

The league’s website, MLSSoccer.com, published a story Wednesday that falsely reported that Celtic FC and Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi had been acquired by Atlanta. The article was quickly removed.

“Major League Soccer’s website mistakenly posted an article that named the wrong player as having signed with an MLS club,” the league said in a statement to The Athletic. “The article was immediately removed and corrected. MLS extends its sincere apologies to the impacted parties.”

The false report is no longer available, and the link now directs to an error message.

The mistake appears linked to Atlanta’s transfer hint for another player, US-born Cayman Togashi, a former Japanese youth international who spent his entire professional career in Japan. Atlanta teased on social media the arrival of a Japanese player, fueling those rumors even more.

The club later announced it signed Togashi through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The 31-year-old signed on a free transfer from Sagan Tosu in Japan’s top flight.

Last month, the Daily Mail reported that Atlanta submitted a $12 million bid for Furuhashi. The club also recently named Ronny Delia, a former Celtic manager, as its head coach. Around the time of the false report by MLS, Furuhashi played in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Dundee United, coming on as a substitute for Adam Idah in the 62nd minute.

(Photo: Craig Foy / SNS Group via Getty Images)

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