LA Valiant’s Custa Comments on His Place in the Australian Overwatch World Cup Team
LA Valiant’s Scott ‘Custa’ Kennedy has commented on his position in the Australian Overwatch World Cup team.
During a recent stream, Custa clarified his involvement with the Australian national team as the competing nations build their squads for the 2018 World Cup.
Most teams are currently holding tryouts as they decide on the players that will make up the national rosters, with squads having to be confirmed by July 5.
Custa states that he intends to play with the team if they’re interested in choosing him, but he won’t be involved in tryouts or practice until after the Overwatch League ends, due to the connection issues between the US and Australia, and the difference in patch between the Overwatch League and the live servers.
As a result, it seems likely that Custa’s spot in the squad will be determined largely on reputation alone, as the Overwatch League will finish after the roster deadline. The LA Valiant currently sits in second place in the league, looking likely to take the number one spot in the Pacific Division and book a trip to the playoff semi-finals.
The Overwatch League playoffs will begin on July 11, although the Valiant are likely to skip the first round. The grand finals will take place on July 27-28 in the Barclays Centre in New York.
Despite being the only Australian player to have made it into the inaugural season of the Overwatch League, Custa has never represented his country at the World Cup. The Australia line-ups that competed in 2016 and 2017 were built around existing chemistry in Australian teams, primarily Blank Esports, while Custa competed in North American squads prior to the OWL.
Team Australia will compete in the Thailand group stage of this year’s World Cup. If they finish in the top two of their group, they will advance to the eight-team playoffs at Blizzcon in November.