KCP Chronicles: Rematch Against Familiar Foe Ends Pioneers SSA Open Two Run with Second Place Finish

KCP Chronicles: Rematch Against Familiar Foe Ends Pioneers SSA Open Two Run with Second Place Finish

Written by Trey Donovan

This past weekend saw the continuation of the Rocket League season as regions continue to find out who will be going to the first major of the year in Boston. It would be the second Open series of the season, and Sub-Saharan Africa crowned a different Open champion as the Kansas City Pioneers fell to Five Fears in the Grand Finals.

Before the Grand Finals, the Pioneers sliced through the competition with little resistance, starting with their first set against New Dogs Old Tricks. The team of LuiisP, Sweaty, and 2Die4 made quick work of New Dogs Old Tricks, starting with back-to-back 6-1’s to start the second Open. LuiisP came out firing, scoring all eight of his goals in the series in those two games, followed by a two-goal game from Sweaty to close the series via the sweep. It was a dominant opening for a Pioneers team that looked to repeat as SSA Champions.

Next up, they faced Astronic Esports, and the offense showed out for the Pioneers off the bat. The first game saw both Sweaty and LuiisP have two-goal games while 2Die4 tacked another one on to end game one at 5-1. Game two would be the 2Die4 show as he had a hat trick to lead the Pioneers to a 4-2 win and a 2-0 series lead. The final game saw the Pioneers encounter their first bit of resistance as Astronic took it to overtime in game three. While it was closer, the duo of 2Die4 and Sweaty was too much overcome as both had two-goal games to move past Astronic and out of the best-of-three series.

Entering bracket play, the Pioneers drew the Brocrocros as their first matchup in the bracket. The series was a one-sided affair for the first three games of the series as the Pioneers scored nine goals and only allowed one goal going into game four. Game four played out almost exactly like the series against Astronic, as it went to overtime, but as was the trend with this series, the Pioneers got a two-goal game from 2Die4. Every game in this series had a two-goal game from a Pioneer with 2Die4 and LuiisP trading games with said accomplishment.

The series win against Brocrocros set up a rematch against Astronic Esports in the semifinals, but this time it would be closer than the Pioneers expected. The start of the series was similar to the first matchup as 2Die4 alone won the game via a hat trick, 3-0, and Sweaty powered the Pioneers in game two with a two-goal game. Games three and four are when the resistance started for the Pioneers. Astronic coasted to a 3-1 game three victory, then game four was the most competitive game so far for the Pioneers, but they fell 4-3 as Astronic tied the series.

Then LuiisP got tired of facing Astronic as he scored four goals in game five to give the Pioneers the series lead back. That game five performance became the spark to end the series in six as the Pioneers got back to a balanced attack that saw LuiisP and 2Die4, again, have two-goal games to close the series 4-2.

This set up a rematch of SSA Open One as the Pioneers faced off against Five Fears to decide the SSA champion of Open Two. The Pioneers started fast with a 3-1 win in game one as everyone got on the board to start the series. Game two was much more aligned with how the series would play out, as it was a tightly contested affair decided by one goal, as Five Fears won game two in overtime and shut out the Pioneers 1-0. Game three went the way of Five Fears as the low-scoring games continued with a 2-1 finish.

Game four was a big game for either side as it could’ve put the Pioneers' backs against the wall or given them life in the series. Needing to win game four, the Pioneers got an effort similar to game one, where everyone had a goal, and they played well defensively to take it 3-1 and tie up the series. Game five was the most tightly contested game, which saw both teams combine for 30 saves and 38 shots. The Pioneers were on the backfoot with 19 saves, but the Five Fears attack proved too much in overtime with a 2-1 victory and 3-2 series score.

Game five was the final nail in the coffin for the Pioneers as Five Fears closed the series with a 1-0 win in game six. These two teams continue to be evenly matched as both scored eight goals in the series with similar save numbers. Five Fears gets more shots on average, and that is the only major difference.

To add to the similarities, Blast.tv’s ratings have all six players in the top seven, with the Pioneers trio holding spots two, three, and five, whereas Five Fears trio ranks fourth, sixth, and seventh.

With Five Fears winning Open Two, they become tied with the Pioneers for first in SSA. Congrats to them and to the Pioneers squad of LuiisP, Sweaty, and 2Die4. Both teams have a short time to recoup before Open Three begins Jan. 24. Good luck to the Pioneers crew! Final note: BUY THE KCP BUNDLE (In the Finals and Rocket League). #KCPWIN