Call of Duty League Power Rankings entering Stage 5

July 6, 2021

by Nerd Street

As the Call of Duty League heads into its fifth and final stage, the playoff picture is crystalizing. The Atlanta FaZe continue to stand apart from the pack with wins in three of four major tournaments, and there’s a pretty decisive division of tiers behind them.

Obviously, there’s still time for a team to rise and shake things up, but based on what we’ve seen through the first five months of the season, the power rankings are probably a good reflection of what you can expect to see down the stretch.

12. Los Angeles Guerrillas (Previous ranking: 10)

8-20 W-L record | 40-69 map record | 100 CDL points

Owners of the worst map win percentage in the CDL at 36.7%, LAG somehow have managed to win a match at three of four majors, accounting for half their points.

11. Paris Legion (Previous: 11)

7-17 W-L record | 34-57 map record | 90 CDL points

The Legion have committed a sin far worse than having a down season -- they’re also boring and provide little to critique beyond their obviously poor record.

10. London Royal Ravens (Previous: 8)

7-19 W-L record | 38-63 map record | 70 CDL points

Just as this space suggested might happen, the Ravens’ recent lineup changes (dropping Alex “Zaptius” Bonilla and benching Zach “Zed” Denyer for Alex “Alexx” Carpenter and Marcus “Afro” Reid) appear to have backfired. After going 4-4 in Stage 3 and making some noise in the major, the team went 1-5 and was one and done in the tournament last round.

9. Los Angeles Thieves (Previous: 6)

14-17 W-L record | 57-65 map record | 180 CDL points

After finishing Stage 4 on a five-game losing streak, you could easily make the case the Thieves should be lower here. Between the constant lineup changes and various assorted dramas -- mostly revolving around Cuyler “Huke” Garland -- the franchise appears to be in disarray.

8. Seattle Surge (Previous: 12)

7-20 W-L record | 41-67 map record | 70 CDL points

Following a 10-game losing streak, the Surge are once again showing signs of life, winning three of their last five matches. Did that mini run at Major IV hint they might fare better on LAN?

7. Florida Mutineers (Previous: 7)

14-16 W-L record | 57-58 map record | 170 CDL points

If there’s a team that could sneak up the top tier, this is it. The Mutineers are 8-7 over the last two stages since Colt “Havok” McLendon rejoined Travis “Neptune” McCloud, Joseph “Owakening” Conley and Cesar “Skyz” Bueno in the lineup.

6. Minnesota ROKKR (Previous: 9)

13-15 W-L record | 50-60 map record | 200 CDL points

Are we buying the ROKKR’s latest respectable showing in Stage 4? A 3-2 record in group play and a victory in the winner’s bracket at the major sounds fine, but they beat three of the worst teams in the league and a shorthanded NYSL squad.

5. OpTic Chicago (Previous: 4)

20-15 W-L record | 74-60 map record | 270 CDL points

Although only 40-50 points separates OpTic from NYSL, Ultra and Empire, they’re 4-10 against those teams plus FaZe this season, and 1-6 in the last two stages. They’re a distant fifth place.

4. New York Subliners (Previous: 3)

21-12 W-L record | 71-60 map record | 310 CDL points

Visa issues once again plagued what might be the second-best team in the CDL, causing Obaid “Asim” Asim to miss the last major. It will be very interesting to see what NYSL can do on LAN next time around when they’re at full strength.

3. Toronto Ultra (Previous: 2)

22-14 W-L record | 87-61 map record | 315 CDL points

Since their shocking win at Major II, Ultra have gone 12-5 and generally continue to look like one of the top teams in the league but are 0-3 against FaZe in three meetings in that span.

2. Dallas Empire (Previous: 5)

21-15 W-L record | 81-72 map record | 320 CDL points

Credit where credit is due, the Empire appeared to get their season back on track in a big way in Stage 4, eventually pushing FaZe to the limits in the grand final at Major IV. Their only other losses were at the hands of Ultra and NYSL, both of which they later avenged

1. Atlanta FaZe (Previous: 1)

20-4 W-L record | 105-43 map record | 465 CDL points

For the second time this season, FaZe made it through a stage undefeated, notching 3-0 shutouts in four of their eight matches. They remain the prohibitive favorites.