When it comes to international competition, North American fans often find themselves disappointed. The excitement of seeing their favorite LCS team compete on the world stage usually ends in disappointment. However, Team Liquid has managed to build a program that North American fans can be proud of.
For years, Cloud9 was considered the savior of North America, consistently performing well at Worlds. But recently, no team has shown the level of consistency that Team Liquid has achieved.
A Refreshing Approach by Team Liquid LoL
Many doubted Team Liquid LoL after a disappointing 2023 season at the LoL World Championship. However, the team made crucial changes by promoting academy graduates Yeon and APA and bringing back Impact and UmTi.
Despite a slow start during the regular season, Team Liquid stepped up in the playoffs, securing a spot at the Mid-Season Invitational for the first time since 2019.
Promising International Performances
Following a strong playoff performance, Team Liquid faced skepticism about their international abilities. As the North American first seed, they needed to prove themselves against European teams, which they did by defeating Fnatic at the Mid-Season Invitational and the Esports World Cup.
While North America may not be ready to compete with top Eastern teams, Team Liquid has set a standard for North American first seeds by dominating European rivals.
Challenging T1 and the East
T1, the reigning world champions, have historically been a challenge for North American teams. At MSI, Team Liquid had a chance to defeat T1 but fell short. However, their strong preparation, solid macro game, and competitive performances against T1 show that North American teams are capable of competing on the international stage.
