Buzz
Numerous LCS Fans Look towards Vietnamese League after C9 Officially Eliminated from Worlds 2023.
Ahead of the Cloud9 versus Fnatic match, the European representatives weren't favored, especially after their performance against GAM Esports despite FNC's win. Although FNC could've faced disappointment against VCS representatives due to GAM's mishaps and Humanoid's stellar performance, ultimately, Cloud9 was the team to exit the tournament after an entertaining BO3 series with FNC.
Following C9's defeat, preceding Golden Guardians' failure to qualify and Team Liquid's elimination by GAM, LCS is left with only one representative, the reigning Summer champions - NRG. There's some consolation for LCS as NRG currently holds a 2-1 win-loss record, meaning they still have a chance to advance if they lose one more match. However, the reality is clear: apart from minor regions and wildcards, LCS is the only Major region with just 1 representative left, equivalent to a minor region like VCS.
On the day C9 loses to FNC, LCS also sets a 'record' worth forgetting: the entire starting lineup of the LCS Summer Split's All-Pro Team 1 has been eliminated from Worlds 2023. This also marks the only Major region with this unwanted 'record'. The All-Pro Team 1 lineup from the previous LCS Summer Split includes Licorice (GG), Blaber (C9), Jojopyun (EG), Berserker (C9), and Huhi (GG).
Witnessing the dismal performance of the home region, some Western fans bitterly commented: 'Maybe we should join VCS now, they might still accept our merger.'
Certainly, nominally, NRG is still in the game. However, they currently hold a 2-1 record, while NRG's upcoming opponents could include names like FNC, Weibo Gaming, GAM/Dplus KIA, KT Rolster/LNG Esports, T1/Bilibili Gaming. And perhaps, except for GAM, any team from this list could potentially annihilate the North American representatives. But if GAM manages to surpass DK to face NRG, then NRG might be the ones feeling intimidated.
If NRG also gets eliminated, then LCS will have its second consecutive Worlds without any representation in the Quarterfinals. This is a scenario that certainly no North American LoL fan desires, but if they couldn't save themselves, returning home early is inevitable, especially when all teams have shown determination for that coveted spot in the next round.
