Jan 10
Running the Rift: 2022 Open Qualifier Series — Taco Gaming
Taco Gaming, one of a few free agent teams that are looking to make an impact in the spring 2022 Proving Grounds split. Overall, this team has some name brand talent and is considered to be a “dark horse” to qualify.
Their roster is as follows
Cozy || Trixter || Doxa || Links || Gweiss || Matty
This roster from top to bottom is not new to the proving grounds circuit, with all of the players (minus Trixter) competing in 2021. With notable names like Doxa & Cozy it is easy to see how this roster was ranked in the top 16 and expected to qualify.
The biggest question mark in my opinion around this roster will be how Links & Gweiss will matchup against other top tier botlanes coupled with how Trixter will play at a Proving Grounds tournament.
In our interview on our first podcast episode I had the pleasure to interview Taco, he had went through the challenges of forming and running a free agent roster.
“What was your biggest challenge when putting together this roster?”
T: Originally I tried to find an organization that would take me on as a manager… I had no good deals because I wanted to make sure that my players were paid and I personally wanted minor compensation for the work I was putting in. I was allowed to sit in on other team’s combines and with their permission I was able to watch the games. As a free agent team, I can’t promise pay, at the time I couldn’t promise a coach. It was just me, it took a lot to get the first members to join the roster.
“Who is your dark horse roster or what other roster configuration in amateur do you think was well done?”
T: Radiance, you have a weird topside. Porsche (formerly TC Porsche), Bluster who had a brief stint on EG.P last split has no amateur experience, Crimson (formerly MySwordCrimson) who is entering his first amateur split, I think he is slept on, with Raheen who is one of the best amateur ADC’s and lightpulse who is a promising support. I think there are players that are slept on, mainly Saico and Pseudo (SuperNova’s botlane) who play really well together.
“What is your teams goal for the 2022 PG season?”
T: We expect nothing less than to qualify for Proving Grounds, our team has the talent and the dedication to qualify… We are also focused on improving, every player has aspects that they have to work on. Whether that means playing more champions, having better roam timers, playing weakside better… I wouldn’t be surprised if some teams boom after this qualifier.
“What was your biggest surprise when putting together this roster?”
T: Honestly the overall sense that the players have belief in me, it’s very flattering, a lot of the positions I’ve held they do not come with a lot of praise. That’s not to say I want credit for a team doing well, that’s for the players. Whether it was their last chance to play amateur, I feel flattered that they chose me.
“Your first opponent is Dare Red, they have a strong mid-jungle duo in Leemo and Enigma, what do you believe is your ‘key’ to shutting them down?”
T: I’m going to be honest, I didn’t even know they were our first opponent, I’m more focused on the teams that are higher seeded that we will meet later in the tournament and making sure we are ready to play them.
In terms of evaluating this roster from an external analyst’s perspective. To play against Taco Gaming you need to be able to see if your mid laner can match up against Doxa, the meta may not cater to Doxa’s champion pool with Zoe, Orianna and Lucian not being as strong as they were in previous seasons.
What some may think as a weaker part of their roster, I personally see as a strength, Links is an incredibly strong “weakside” ADC that proved last year he could play well without his support in lane and not give the enemy botlane a large advantage going into the mid game.
Predicted Finish:
Best Case — top 10
Worst Case — 16–18
I believe that Taco gaming will end up with a top 12 placing, a lot of their placing will come down to how well Trixter can play, if he is able to play effectively towards his solo lanes and consistently get them leads, then Taco Gaming will have no problems qualifying.
To get updates on Taco & Taco Gaming, their links can be found here:
https://twitter.com/LoLMattaco
https://twitter.com/Tacogaminglol
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