Counter Logic Gaming beats TSM for first time since 2016

Counter Logic Gaming has finally broken its losing streak against Team SoloMid.

During week five of the 2019 LCS Summer Split, CLG put an end to its three-year losing streak against the team, 1,176 days after the run began. The victory came in large part thanks to excellent performances from jungler Raymond “Wiggily” Griffin and mid laner Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage.

The rivalry between CLG and TSM is an old one, dating back to the early days of the LCS where the two teams were frequently contenders for titles. The last time CLG defeated TSM was on the NA LCS Spring 2016 Final in Las Vegas, Nevada. CLG took the title through a hardfought best of five and earned a pass to that year’s Mid-Season Invitational.

At MSI, CLG made it all the way to the final where they faced SK Telecom T1. Spring 2016 was the last time CLG conquered a domestic title.

The following year, TSM took over as North America’s top team by winning the Summer 2016 championship and back to back titles in 2017. At the same time, CLG began to decline once the franchising era of the LCS came around. The only player to remain under contract with the organization from its 2016 heyday is Trevor “Stixxay” Hayes.

CLG wound up in a profound decline from there, with 2018 being a trying year for the team and players. The team missed playoffs in both splits and was considered low tier heading to 2019.

The mediocre results forced the organization to shake things up. Weldon “Weldon” Green assumed the head coach position and top laner Kim “Ruin” Hyeong-min reinforced the roster.

Through the season, CLG has shown a massive improvement with the squad actively looking to be early adapters to the game’s shifting meta.

The switch in style helped them climb the standings and stay at the top. The win over TSM advanced CLG into a three-way tie for first place alongside Team Liquid and Cloud9. The team is looking like a strong contender for playoffs in summer.