Upsets have appeared to have become the norm in Starcraft. Last year Geoff "iNcontroL" Robinson managed to upset the entire player pool in Orlando when he was not even expected to pass his group. Still though, nothing has changed, predictors will continue to take the safe route and pick the so-called "best".

Group A or the "Group of Death" included the predictors favorites, Greg "IdrA" Fields and Tyler "NonY" Wasieleski. The defending champion, Robinson, was selected to participate in the group as well. However, out of the two that would actually advance, one of them was not even considered to by to a large portion of the community - Eric "G5" Rothmuller.

"I didn't expect to be able to make it out of my group," Rothmuller said. "I am happy, but I am really sad...I felt horrible after I beat him [Fields] because I want to see him do good."

Fields, the American professional gamer captured had an early taste of victory in the stage match against Robinson, but that would be the only highlight of the day for Fields with Wasieleski next.

In a battle of mechanics and experience, Wasieleski the probable future pro-gamer was able to take down Fields, the pro-gamer of the present. A distraught Fields never appeared able to regain his composure.

Rothmuller, the heavy underdog, put on a protoss clinic, displaying phenomenal mechanics and a strong mental state. His play in the series could not have been any better. Still, while it was the local boy who was able to upset the pro, it was Wasieleski who was another level ahead.

Wasieleski did as he was expected, he won without dropping a single game. To him this result was expected, but to others passing this group without a loss was a nearly an impossible task.

With the two winners of Group A determined, we would have the opportunity to complete three matches in Group B before the doors at the event closed.

The WCG veteran, Dan "Artosis" Stemkoski finds himself falling behind early against David "Louder" Fells - the south regional second placer. The controversial David "Dino" Kent was able to secure a victory over the fastest player in the field, Bryce "Machine" Bates. Thankfully for Bates, he was able to escape elimination by following up with a win over Fells.

"I am disappointed that I lost to Dino," Bates said. "I will take any win that I can get here and I am just glad to be able to play with some of the best players in the United States."

Thus far Group B is looking to keep the streak of upsets going. At Oct. 4 at 11:00, what could safely be called the most exciting U.S. finals to date, will continue.


Galleries: Day 1a | Day 1b | Day 2a | Day 2b | Day 2c | Day 2d

Counter-Strike: Extreme Masters Day 2 CS Melee | Extreme Masters Day 1 CS Melee | WCG Day 1 CS Melee | Viewer's Guide | Cogu discusses all things MiBR | WCG USA, EM Prediction Contest | Ninespot reflects on Day 1 | x3o gives fnatic an early test | Five with punkvillE | Zonic on mTw's early exit | sfX on taking down MoB | savi0r: Looking forward to E4All | WCG CS Group Preview

StarCraft: WCG StarCraft Melee | WCG Day 1 SC Recap | Five with NonY | G5 talks about NonY and Day 2 | StarCraft in the U.S: Why care? | WCG Starcraft Preview

World of Warcraft: Extreme Masters Day 1 WoW Melee | Extreme Masters WoW Preview | Five with Sp0h