It has been a long time coming for x3o, not just the team, but the organization. To really understand the importance of them winning the Dust-Off championships, we'll need to go on a little history lesson, back to the beginning glory days of the x3o organization.

Growing Pains: The Road of x3o

Virgina is for fraggers

Many of you remember the first x3o teams which featured strong local VA talent - more specifically, the x3o lineup which was formerly known as viGor. That team simply dominated the east coast, and more importantly, the team that was comprised of EG's current core members.

Over a year and a half ago, x3o released over half of that lineup in favor of the core lineup of the Green Berets. At the time, the organization thought that lineup would be able to take advantage of the international opportunities which were now possible with some of the top teams leaving for the CGS. Unfortunately, they were not able to put things together quickly enough, and the organization and even some of the players' patience with the team began to wear thin. That lineup made a two player roster switch and gave it one more go. But after being dominated by eMg at the WCG US Open, the management of x3o had enough.


The 2007 Florida foley

With several strong players available on the market, x3o removed all of the current players, aside from the only two remaining from the original viGor lineup, rockyte and NineSpot. They added cbz, da bears, and sunman, all of whom were local to the center. Three weeks later and the team was down in Florida at the WCG US Finals trying to become team USA. While they entered the event with the mindset of winning, they knew that with only a few weeks of preparation it was going to be tough. They made it to the bracket stage despite rocky group play, and lost in the first round. A few days later the team announced they had officially moved to CS: Source.

It took a few months, but x3o decided to once again try their hand at CS. This time, they went for a team who had some time under their belts atop the North American scene and some international experience, turmoil. The organization was confident that they now had a team who would be able to overcome eMg, who at this point was showing their control over North America.

America's runner ups

As if the name had a curse, the new x3o lineup began to struggle against eMg. Whether eMg had really evolved into superstars, or x3o was taking them lightly was unclear. But after missing out on all of the international events where only one US team could qualify since they made the switch to x3o, gave proof that it was probably the former.

Finding Their Stride: The X3O Series Finals

Same story, different day

Entering this event, x3o was a clear cut underdog when compared to EG.usa and MoB. EG was simply dominating at x3o, where they won three of four preliminary events, including the first event over team x3o. MoB was also on a roll after winning the last preliminary event along with some impressive results on LAN. It was clear that x3o was going to need to give their all in order to pull it out here.

Since they received an invite to the double elimination bracket on Sunday, the team did not arrive until Saturday. The four Californians flew in, and were planning on meeting mehLer at the center that day. However, he experienced car trouble, and after spending half the day in Delaware, he was finally picked up by che of EG and sfX of 50 cal. I thought that starting the event off like that would have some negative consequences.

Facing off against a PoV squad who had simply tore through their group and dominated D4L 16-2 in their opening round, x3o had no time to ease into things. After losing the pistol round, things looked like they could easily run out of control. I had said before this that x3o was a team that when down, would sit by quietly, hoping one of their players would do something amazing to help them bring their spirits back into the game. This event was way different. They snapped back, with shouts of aggression from goodfornothing and ben roaring them into a 16-7 victory despite losing both pistol rounds.

Trial By Fire: The Upper Bracket Gauntlet

With the top four teams maintaining their seeds, x3o was set to face EG in the semifinals. Starting on defense on Inferno, x3o wasted no time grabbing up the beginning rounds and feeding off the momentum. Even during the rounds they dropped to EG, x3o remained positive and confident that they would be able to take out their rivals. Just when it looked like EG was going to mount a comeback in the second half, x3o stepped up and finished them off.

In the upper bracket finals, they faced off against 50cal, a team who despite receiving massive amounts of criticism for their second seed, held it against the test of MoB. Riding the momentum from their big win over the Californian favorites, 50 cal became a big challenge for x3o. Despite jumping out to a big lead after winning 9 of their offensive rounds, x3o began to struggle once they switched sides. Remarkably, 50 cal was able to completely reverse the match, and put some serious pressure on x3o to win in regulation. X3o showed once again that they would not accept losing to anyone. They showed just how far they have come as a team, overcoming the pressure which in previous events could have caused them to crumble, and taking out 50 cal in 30 rounds.

History attempts to repeat itself

While goodfornothing said the team was looking forward to playing MoB in the championship finals, I think the x3o organization loved the thought of the possibility of settling the score with EG.usa once and for all. After EG was able to battle their way through the lower bracket, the stage was set for an epic final. In his video interview, goodfornothing also said that winning best of three's against EG had been difficult for the team. With one win already in the books, x3o had some much wanted insurance this time around. They would need it.

X3o started off strong, winning 9 rounds on their defensive side of nuke working pretty standard stuff. Then, as they always seem to do, EG took over on defense. Their upper hold was too much for x3o's delayed upper tactics, and x3o was unable to make the picks they needed in order for the strat to work. EG began to run away with the match. When x3o started putting together a few rounds, it was too little, too late and EG won the 30th round to force a final map.

Redemption

De_Dust2 was loaded up, with x3o on offense. Knowing how EG plays d2 helped x3o out tremendously. They were able to wait and pick off pushers, then exploit the site they felt was weaker. Ben had a great half, and helped x3o end the half with 11 rounds. Second half started off with some fireworks. x3o was in a 3v1 with n0thing of EG. N0thing had red hp, and was able to glock headshot all three remaining CT's. With the eco's in hand, EG looked poised to run away with the match, and the tourney. x3o knew the first gun round would be crucial. They needed to win it in order to stop the bleeding, and keep EG from building any more momentum. Impulsive stepped up - acing EG in a matter of seconds. That round seemed to set the tone for the rest of the match. x3o kept EG to only two additional rounds before winning out.

With that win, x3o ends a nearly year long streak of placing second to EG at national events. Perhaps winning this event will give them the confidence boost they need heading into ESWC. At any rate, the race for top dog in North America has just become even closer.



GotFrag's Full Coverage of x3o Dust-Off Championship Final