Banner image: Ubisoft / João F. @itsmeERROR
So close but yet so far. Such a line perfectly defines Team oNe — now known as LOS — in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege since its arrival on the esports scene.
In April 2023, LOS was one round away from qualifying for the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta, as Ninjas in Pyjamas won the Brazil League 2023 Stage 1 LCQ by 8-6, 5-7, and 8-7.
It was not the first time the Brazilians suffered such a loss. Throughout 2019, the Brazilians missed out on the Six Raleigh Major and the Six Invitational 2020 by only one and two maps, respectively, as they reached both qualifiers' finals but couldn't win the decisive match. Those results created a gatekeeper fame around the organization, as the team had the potential to become a Brazilian powerhouse in Siege but would inevitably always lose against the Goliats of Team Liquid, FaZe Clan, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and MIBR.
In 2021, the organization's best roster, which included names such as Lorenzo "Lagonis" Volpi or Karl "Alem4o" Zarth, qualified for two Six Invitationals and two Six Majors, winning the Six Mexico Major in the process. Unfortunately, when the squad broke apart and Lagonis built the new Team oNe era, the Brazilians' misfortune was back. In Jul. 2022, Team oNe was one point away from sneaking into the Six Berlin Major. Meanwhile, in Oct. 2022, the Brazilians missed out on the Six Jönköping Major after finishing last in a four-team tie in 15 points for second place.
Overall, despite finishing as the third-best team in Brazil, the roster could only qualify for the Six Charlotte Major, which was heavily influenced by the region's visa issues. Back then, the Brazilians were sent home by the eventual champions, DarkZero Esports. Curiously enough, one year and six months later, both rosters are meeting again at an international quarterfinal match.
"That match has a special place in my heart. A big feeling of a rematch, mainly because we are in a place where they will be the fan-favorites. It will be a great match with a big feeling of revenge," amitted Leonardo "d4sh" Lopes in a written interview with SiegeGG.
For LOS, this will be the team's most important match of the season. The Brazilians aren't only competing to reach Atlanta's Top 4 but also to qualify for the Six Invitational 2024, which will take place in Brazil.
"It adds more pressure," admitted the Brazilian player. "Playing an Invitational in Brazil is a dream for us. If you add the fact that we are in the quarterfinals of a Major and we will play in front of all of the fans, it inevitably has an impact. However, in a way, feeds from it. It was like this in the LCQ and it will be like this in the final stage of the Major," he added.
LOS headed to the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta with 220 SI Points — 85 SI Points less than Six Karma. Back then, many people expected the Brazilians to automatically qualify for the Six Invitational 2024 if the team reached Phase 3. However, Bleed Esports and Team BDS' performances have put the orange roster between a rock and a hard place.
In Atlanta, the Brazilians topped the standings of their Phase 1 group after defeating Talon Esports and Bleed Esports. In Phase 2, LOS began with a harsh 2-7 defeat against DPlus, the South Koreans' only victory in the competition.
According to Dash, the players were "nervous" despite starting from the "strongest side on the map." Moreover, the Brazilian admitted the team's approach wasn't good. "We learned a lot from that match, the mistakes will not be made in Phase 3, we lost when we had the opportunity to, which had a good effect on our team."
Following the team's initial defeat, the orange roster won against SCARZ, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Geekay Esports, results that sent LOS to the quarterfinals on Day 4 of Phase 2.
Moreover, LOS qualification for the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta will be Gabriel "cameram4n" Hespanhol's first Six Major appearance for the orange roster in front of an international audience. It will be the first time he has done so since his last match for FaZe Clan at the Six Jönköping Major.
"He's very important. He's a very sharp person when it comes to giving his thoughts, he's a very open person. He's a great leader, he conveys calm and breaths knowledge of the game. It's a huge pleasure for me, I have always been a fan," Dash admitted.
LOS and DarkZero Esports will meet in the third match of the day, which will take place at 5:30 PM local time (11:30 PM CET).
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