The Toronto Ultra overcame an early deficit by rattling off three straight map wins to earn a 4-2 victory over OpTic Texas on Sunday in the grand final of the Call of Duty League’s Major III in Arlington, Texas.
After the Ultra took Breenbergh Hotel Hardpoint 250-152, Texas, which hosted the tournament, claimed Al Bagra Fortress Search & Destroy (6-3) and Breenbergh Hotel Control (3-2) for a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven final.
But it was all Toronto from there, as the Ultra won Zarqwa Hydroelectric Hardpoint 250-170, took Breenbergh Hotel Search & Destroy 6-5 and prevailed 3-2 on El Asilo Control to seal the victory and claim the first-place winnings of $200,000.
Thomas “Scrappy” Ernst of the United States led Toronto with 134 kills and a plus-1.33 kills-deaths ratio, while teammate Tobias “CleanX” Jonsson of Denmark finished with 121 kills. Ernst was named MVP of the tournament for his efforts.
Three of OpTic’s four players finished with negative K-D ratios. Canada’s Brandon “Dashy” Otell was the only one to eclipse the 1.00 mark, finishing with a plus-1.02 K-D thanks to 108 kills against 106 deaths. American Cuyler “Huke” Garland chipped in 102 kills, but finished with 115 deaths.
The Ultra secured their spot in the grand final by toppling the Atlanta FaZe 3-1 in the winners-bracket final. Atlanta opened the match with a 250-197 win on Breenbergh Hotel Hardpoint, but Toronto earned victories on El Asilo Search & Destroy (6-3), Breenbergh Hotel Control (3-1) and Mercado Las Almas Hardpoint (250-240) to advance.
With the loss, the FaZe were sent to the elimination-bracket final to face Texas, which cruised to a 3-1 win over the Boston Breach earlier Sunday. OpTic carried the momentum over from the triumph against Boston, splitting the first two maps with Atlanta before winning 3-1 on Breenbergh Hotel Control and 250-227 on Mercado Las Almas Hardpoint to reach the grand final.
Despite coming up just short, Texas had an impressive run at the CDL Major III, appearing in seven matches — the most of any of the 12 teams that participated in the event. The hosts had to win five contests in the elimination bracket to reach the grand final.
Call of Duty League Major III prize pool and points distribution
1. $200,000 + 65 CDL points — Toronto Ultra
2. $120,000 + 50 CDL points — OpTic Texas
3. $80,000 + 40 CDL points — Atlanta FaZe
4. $40,000 + 30 CDL points — Boston Breach
5-6. $20,000 + 20 CDL points — Las Vegas Legion, Seattle Surge
7-8. $10,000 + 10 CDL points — Florida Mutineers, Los Angeles Thieves
9-12. No money or CDL points — New York Subliners, London Royal Ravens, Minnesota Rokkr, Los Angeles Guerrillas
–Field Level Media
