After having a marginal performance at Lethal Gamers pre-CPL LAN, Rival is starting to lose their title as BYOC champions of the world. A few good matches at CPL in route to victory, could gain them an even more prestigious title, as World Champion. However is Rival ready for the challenges at Winter CPL 2005? Jonny answers this question and more in a pre-CPL interview.


How do you think CPL will seed Rival?

3rd, as we have gotten 3rd place back 2 back 2 back.. I’d assume there should be no change

Do you feel that Rival is a top3 team at the event; i.e. Will your seeding reflect what you believe the team is capable of?

No, we're awful and are 35-62. Of course we're a top 3 team

This CPL is being dubbed the most competitive tournament of all time; top3 for any American team could be a long shot. Would you say you stand a solid chance of surpassing 3D and Complexity; the two American teams that have given you guys trouble?

This is a game called Counter Strike, any given minute you can get headshotted through a box and 2 walls. I will headshot warden and method when it comes to CPL, because that’s my turf

HaHaHa -- How does this team compare to the previous teams you've competed at CPL with

That’s really a good question; the past few teams I’ve placed 3rd with have been slightly different, but usually same core of players. I believe in any team i play for that we can place very well as long as practice is done correctly, its only a matter of time before everyone gets the feel for each other and are synchronized. I think this team is just as good if not better than the past.

Patyojon is playing for 2D at CPL; Why on Earth would a West Coast American player, a player that has had a few solid showings at the past CPL, play for a Canadian team, instead of his current team Rival

Unfortunately as of late, our practice schedule and his real life schedule are conflicting, therefore we decided to practice with the 5 most active; we felt it would only be right to let him play for a team at CPL.

What elements will you be missing from Patyojon at CPL (how will the team suffer); what are the advantages with matt out of the lineup?

He's a good player, but so are the other 5 players on the team, we practiced the most with 5 so we will be playing with that 5. no advantages, no disadvantages, its just how the cookie crumbled.

List your top 5 teams at CPL?

Rival, team, team, team, team
ty

Darkhorse team:

Aggression

Most likely to flop:

coL

You know I gotta ask why now...

Because jlake pays GotFrag to write good stuff about them

Surge hooks it up too, you didn’t know?

There's no way surge hooks it up

Favorite thing about the CPL in Dallas?

It's always fun getting away from home, I love the place to eat across from CPL Hyatt, unfortunately this will be the last one at the Hyatt. Least favorite would be the old women makeup convention that is usually going on at the same time as CPL event.

Give me a guarantee.

I guarantee a strong performance from Rival, and i will be eating steak every night.

Can't beat Texas' steak :]

Just want to give a shotout to our sponsors, thanks for taking us where we need and providing everything necessary to take CPL. Midway can I have my GotFrag prime back please, ty.