Atlanta FaZe coach Crowder slams Dallas Empire “onliner” criticism
Dallas Empire / MLGAtlanta FaZe’s head coach James ‘Crowder’ Crowder has slammed critics of CDL Chicago grand final opponent Dallas Empire, defending them from fans calling the team “onliners.”
Due to the outbreak of the ongoing health crisis, the Call of Duty League has had to shift to an online format, abandoning the LAN events that were supposed to be spread throughout the year.
Of course, moving online brings a new host of issues for the league and teams in it, but one of the most common seems to be how fans weigh online wins against LAN wins. After criticism of Dallas Empire as an “online” team, Crowder has explained why this is such a bad take.
ActivisionDallas Empire beat Atlanta FaZe 3-1 in the grand final of CDL Chicago, becoming only the second team to beat Atlanta after Minnesota ROKKR and also taking down Chicago Huntsmen in their semi-final matchup.
Crowder tweeted out after the series finished that Dallas exhibited “incredible play and teamwork” and called them the “best team in the game,” which is high praise considering it’s something more often said about Atlanta themselves.
Despite this, someone came back and called Dallas the “best online team” – which Crowder didn’t take kindly to, saying it’s “such a sh**ty take” and to “give credit when it’s due.”
Such a shitty take. They won an event on LAN already. Give credit when it’s due.
— FaZe Crowder (@JamesCrowder) April 27, 2020
Although Crowder was happy to heap praise on Dallas for their continued top performances and placements, some Atlanta fans didn’t agree with what he was saying.
Twitter user ImDepend told the coach that “you guys have smoked them on LAN” and added that, despite beating two of the top teams, he doesn’t believe they can be the best team in the game “just because of one online tournament win.”
Chris you guys have smoked them on LAN, they beat two of the best teams in the game online, i mean yea they won but i still dont think their the best in the game just because of 1 online tournament win.
— Depend (@ImDependYT) April 27, 2020
Whether or not Dallas Empire are the best team in the game will continue to be a subjective issue until more events are held, but for now, Crowder’s voice is one that is definitely worth listening to when it comes to Call of Duty.
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Fans won’t have to wait too long to see more CoD action, with CDL Florida taking place May 8-10, though Dallas won’t be in attendance to defend their crown – they’ll have to wait until CDL Minnesota on June 6-8.