GotFrag.com - The time has come for eight of the best teams in the United States to step up to the plate and prove that they are worthy of representing their country at the KODE5 Grand Finals this May in Russia.

Though the results for the three American teams at the EM III Grand Finals last week in Hanover were less than stellar, that is all in the past. The only thing that matters now is to win KODE5 USA this weekend, March 14th, and get another shot at the Europeans at the finals this Spring.

Inside this article, Gotfrag will take a look at each team in detail along with listing rosters, strengths, weaknesses, and what a rival team member thinks their opponents chances of winning are. Be prepared for what may be an all out war between the best teams the United States has to offer.

EG.usa

Danny "fRoD" Montaner
Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert
Corey "hanes" Hanes
Matt "Warden" Dickens
Tyler "Storm" Wood

Though they did come up short at the EM III Grand Finals, only securing a single victory over American rival x3o, it would still be safe to say that at the KODE5 US Finals, EG.usa would look to be one of the tournament favorites.

Their unmatched experience in major events against the best competition in the World throughout the years will give them an edge over less experienced teams looking to knock them off. They will also display some of the best teamwork at the event, making it hard for some of the weaker teams to pick them apart.

EG.usa enters the KODE5 US Finals sporting one of the strongest rosters in American CS; fRod's awp is still one of the best in the World and n0thing is no slouch with a rifle. Couple that with three other extremely skilled players who know each others play styles very well, and you are looking at a well balanced squad of strong players.

It would be a major shocker if they didn't at least finish in the top three.

Strengths: Experience along with top level skill. EG.usa are the least likely team to get flustered in a tense situation.

Weaknesses: Overconfidence. EG will come into this tournament fired up, expecting to win the event. If they get too cocky however, there are several good teams waiting to jump on any visible flaw.

Striker from Pandemic gives his thoughts on EG.usa:

"What a lot of people overlook is that this EG is not the same coL that was dominant over the past years. They have two new players as well as Warden taking over as the ingame leader. That being said, i feel that is their weak point right now. On the contrary, they are all well experienced and skilled. That is a good strength to have. They just need more time to build team chemistry."

x3o

Andrew "dRew" Timmerman
Dan "mehLer" Mehler
Ryan "Ninespot" Bell
David "saviOr" Park
Jeff "hero" Mettetal

They were the team to beat from the United States at EM III, yet they came out sloppy in group play and ended up finishing the event with an 0-5 record. They even took a loss in the much anticipated LAN showdown against rival EG.usa.

Now x3o looks to rebound from a disappointing showing in Hanover by trying to prove that they truly are the best team in the United States.

While they do have the skill and teamwork to make themselves a huge threat at KODE5, it is hard to say how badly their spirits were damaged from the showing at EM III. Getting completely shutout then having to take the long plane ride home had to have given them some time to let the reality of what had happened sink in.

Still, x3o is a highly professional team, and to think a loss at a single event would be enough to completely destroy them is just crazy. Look for them to bounce back strong at the KODE5 US Finals and make a run at the title.

Strengths: A unique play style, plenty of skill, and plenty of positive experience against the teams they will be facing.

Weaknesses: Lack of Confidence. How much did the fall at EM III really hurt them? Right now it's hard to say.

iDemise - sinysteR takes a look at x3o's chances at KODE5 :

"I think x3o's chances are high being that they have the experience to win over the American teams. They have competed against the best the USA has to offer and have been victorious. But coming off there poor performance at EM, I think they received a serious reality check and aren't gonna take any of the teams attending lightly. I'm personally excited to see how they fair against the newly formed source comeback kids. I give them top 3 here at this event right below GG and iDemise... he he."



Page One: EG.usa and x3o
Page Two: Gravitas Gaming and compLexity
Page Three: Frag Dominant and Texas All-Stars
Page Four: Pandemic and eMazing Gaming