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Koreans live the American Dream in WCS America

If ever there was a time for Terrans, it’s now. The World Championship Series America boasts three absolutely world-class Terran players: Bomber, TaeJa and Polt. While the Protoss have already secured themselves a spot in the semifinals, hopes are high for Terrans to make not only a semifinals but possibly also finals (TvT, no less!) appearance. We caught up with James “Kaelaris” Carrol to walk us through the quarter finals:

“WCS America is shaping up to be extremely interesting. My eyes currently are fixed on the three Terran powerhouses that currently rule the roost across the pond. This, for me, is not only the tournament where a Protoss is unlikely to win, but we could also very easily have a TvT final, perhaps even with Polt taking it for a third time in a row. That’s just how good these Terrans look right now. What a feat it would be - as well as a spectacle to witness - if Polt, who I would consider the favorite of the tournament, were to take his triple WCS America crowd by force.”
 

Indeed, Polt, coming off his WCS America 2013 Season 2 and 3 victory, is looking like he could make it three in a row. His Ro16 performance on the weekend saw him sail through to the quarter finals undefeated, not dropping a single map to either Bomber or XiGua. Can Captain America be stopped?

“The only opportunity for Revival to exploit Polt’s new TvZ is a very soft timing where the addition of the extra fast barracks leaves Polt’s front door more vulnerable (in neither of his games did he have a front bunker or any depots until after his third CC and barracks), but how much can a man gamble on lings getting past Polt’s reaper without him realizing what’s happening?”
- Nathan “Nathanias” Fabrikant
 

The Zergs are represented by Sick Nerd Baller HyuN and Intel Extreme Masters Katowice Ro16 contender Revival. Let’s not forget that, despite losing to Jjakji in his opening series of the tournament 3-2, he played an amazing set of games. With an early 2-0 advantage over the Terran, Revival looked ready to take the series until the mYinsanity player changed up his game. Having been kicked down into Challenger League by the likes of Polt in Season 3 of the 2013 WCS America, Revival is sure to use every opportunity to prove himself worthy of the Premier League again.

 

The Intel Extreme Masters World Championship brought with it some sad news: TaeJa announced his upcoming retirement from the professional StarCraft II scene after having been knocked out by eventual Protoss champion sOs. The Terran, despite having a long list of first place finishes, has yet to add a WCS America title to them. As this could well be his last shot, the cheerful Korean will no doubt be keen to give it everything he has. He goes up against HyuN in the quarter finals, possibly meeting his first Protoss (in the form of Alicia) in the semifinals for a shot at Intel Extreme Masters revenge.

“Realistically speaking, HyuN needs to get an advantage somehow in the early game. If history says anything, though, Taeja should remain unbreakable in the early game and HyuN will be the one trying to keep up instead as the Terran macro monster gets rolling. There’s a reason Taeja won five tournaments last year!”
- Nathan “Nathanias” Fabrikant
 

Meanwhile the Protoss are in a bit of a self-defeating situation. While a PvP final is definitely on the cards, a PvP in the quarter finals matchup between Oz and Arthur means that Protoss will have to kick each other out in order to advance. While Oz hangs around the 50% mark for PvP win-rate, Arthur looks the more likely victor with a track record of 59%. That having been said, teamless Protoss player Arthur has until now only been competing regularly in minor tournaments. Can he make it when it matters?
 
Below you can find a full schedule of the WCS Ro8 action. For a full WCS schedule and information concerning ticket sales, click here. The competition will continue on Saturday and Sunday with the semifinals and finals. Don't forget that WCS Europe is on this week too! 

Join us for all the action over on Twitch.

Thursday 10th April 2014

  • 20:00 - 21:30 CEST - MC vs. StarDust (WCS Europe)
  • 21:30 - 23:00 CEST - jjakji vs. VortiX (WCS Europe)
  • 23:00 - 00:30 CEST - Alicia vs. Bomber (WCS America)
  • 00:30 - 02:00 CEST - TaeJa vs. HyuN (WCS America)

Friday 11th April 2014

  • 20:00 - 21:30 CEST - MMA vs. Snute (WCS Europe)
  • 21:30 - 23:00 CEST - Welmu vs. san (WCS Europe)
  • 23:00 - 00:30 CEST - Polt vs. Revival (WCS America)
  • 00:30 - 02:00 CEST - Oz vs. Arthur (WCS America)
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