Call of Duty League Enters Stage 3 Major

The Call of Duty League (CDL) Stage 3 group stage has ended on Monday, May 10, finalizing the seeding for the third Major of the season. CDL Stage 3 Major kicks off on Thursday, May 13, and runs until Sunday, May 16.

A Shakeup In The Standings

Anyone who has missed CDL Stage 3 Group Stage play is likely surprised with how the final standings turned out. Two CoD esports teams that dominated during CDL Stage 2 are not inside the top three and got replaced by two that finished Stage 2 last.

In Group A, Toronto Ultra secured the top seed with a 5-0 record, followed by Florida Mutineers and Dallas Empire. Behind the three are Minnesota RØKKR (2-3), Los Angeles Guerrillas (1-4), and Paris Legion (1-4).

Over in Group B, things got a bit wilder. New York Subliners edged out Atlanta FaZe with a better map differential to earn a direct bye into the quarter-finals.

Behind the two juggernauts finished Los Angeles Thieves (3-2), OpTic Chicago (2-3), and London Royal Ravens (2-3). Seattle Surge ended the group stage dead last without a single win and a 4-15 map differential.

Two big surprises of CDL Stage 3 group play were Florida Mutineers and the Los Angeles Thieves. Both the Mutineers and Thieves finished Stage 2 group play last with a 2-3 and 1-4 record, respectively, but are now entering the Major as the top-seeded teams in their respective groups.

This marks the first stage of the season where Florida Mutineers finished inside the top-three. They ended last in both of the previous group stages.

For Los Angeles Thieves, this marks the second stage in which they’ll enter the Major as the top-seeded teams. Much of that can be attributed to the signing of former Dallas Empire player Cuyler “Huke” Garland earlier this month.

All Eyes on Toronto Ultra

Toronto Ultra got off to a slow start of the 2021 CDL season. They finished fifth in CDL Stage 1 group play and crashed out of the Stage 1 Major in seventh-eighth.

Things started to look up for the Canadian esports franchise, who made it into Stage 2 Major as the third seed from Group A. Even though Ultra haven’t beaten any top-tier teams during the group stage, they saved the best for last.

In the CDL Stage 2 Major, Toronto Ultra demolished OpTic Chicago (3-1) before getting pushed in the lower bracket by Atlanta FaZe (1-3). Despite their painful loss, Toronto found serious traction in the loser’s bracket.

Toronto Ultra paved their way to the CDL Stage 2 Major grand finals with a near-perfect run in the lower bracket. There they bested LA Thieves (3-0), Minnesota RØKKR (3-1), and the reigning champions Dallas Empire (3-1) before claiming a 5-3 revenge win against FaZe in the finals.

The Toronto outfit looked just as potent during the CDL Stage 3 group play, finishing first in their group. Even more impressive – they dropped only one map out of 16 (15-1) played.

As the reigning Stage 2 Major champions and the most in-form team in the Call of Duty esports scene, Toronto Ultra look set to lift another title next weekend. They, however, still need to run through the gauntlet, starting on Friday, May 14, when they’ll face off the winner of Dallas Empire vs. Atlanta Faze.

Call of Duty League Stage 3 Major kicks off on Thursday, May 13

The CDL Stage 3 Major will begin on Thursday, with the opening two bouts in the lower bracket, followed by the first two upper bracket fixtures later in the day.

Odds for London Royal Ravens vs. Paris Legion match

Odds courtesy of BetOnline Sportsbook:

London Royal Ravens -189
Paris Legion +138
London Royal Ravens -1.5 +126
Paris Legion +1.5 -172
Over 4.50 Maps +148
Under 4.50 Maps -204

Neither of these teams looked good during CDL Stage 3 group play. However, there is no denying that London Royal Ravens showed more.

Unlike Paris Legion, who managed only one fluke win against Florida Mutineers, the Royal Ravens picked up two wins against Seattle Surge and New York Subliners. If the London side can continue with the same performances, they should win this match with ease.

Odds for Los Angeles Guerrillas vs. Seattle Surge match

Odds courtesy of BetOnline Sportsbook:

Los Angeles Guerrillas -204
Seattle Surge +148
Los Angeles Guerrillas -1.5 +119
Seattle Surge +1.5 -161
Over 4.50 Maps +148
Under 4.50 Maps -204

Unless Seattle Surge show some improvement, this match can only end one way. While the LA Guerrillas have had their struggles this season, they’re at least winning games and are rightfully the betting favorites for this match.

Odds for Atlanta FaZe vs. Dallas Empire match

Odds courtesy of BetOnline Sportsbook:

Atlanta Faze -370
Dallas Empire +245
Atlanta Faze -1.5 -137
Dallas Empire +1.5 +101
Over 4.50 Maps +176
Under 4.50 Maps -250

Atlanta FaZe historically perform well against Dallas Empire and have already beaten them twice this season. FaZe have looked a bit off this stage, however, so this match has the upset potential.

Odds for Florida Mutineers vs. Los Angeles Thieves match

Odds courtesy of BetOnline Sportsbook:

Florida Mutineers -123
Los Angeles Thieves -109
Florida Mutineers -1.5 +176
Los Angeles Thieves +1.5 -250
Over 4.50 Maps +148
Under 4.50 Maps -204

The high-flying Los Angeles Thieves are in for a tough test on Thursday when they take on the Florida Mutineers. They have yet to clash with the Florida side this season, but with Huke on the team, Thieves shouldn’t be too worried.