Dallas Empire are champions of the Chicago Home Series on April 26, taking down Atlanta FaZe 3-1 in the Grand Final to become the first-ever team to win multiple tournaments this Call of Duty League season.
Having been denied a chance to win their own tournament earlier in April, Dallas Empire didn’t have to wait long for a chance at redemption and their second Home Series championship of the season.
What’s perhaps made this one even sweeter is the fact that they went through the CDL’s cream of the crop to achieve it, beating both Chicago Huntsmen and Atlanta FaZe in the playoff bracket.
In fact, their road to victory was almost as perfect as can be; a flawless 4-0 record with every win coming either via a 3-0 or 3-1 scoreline, including the Grand Final vs the vaunted FaZe.
On top of the Call of Duty League for the second time, some are already saying that Dallas has supplanted Atlanta as the best team in the CDL, and it would be hard to argue against that right now.
Their championship effort earned the team an important 50 CDL Points, pushing them to the top of the 2020 standings. FaZe, who were also looking for their second tournament victory this season, gained 30 points, and the top-four was rounded off by Huntsmen and Surge, who earned 20 points apiece.
CDL Chicago Home Series final placements
| Placement | Team | CDL Points | Roster |
| 1 | Dallas Empire | 50 | Crimsix, Clayster, Huke, Shotzzy, iLLeY |
| 2 | Atlanta FaZe | 30 | Simp, Priestahh, aBeZy, Cellium, Majormaniak |
| 3/4 | Seattle Surge | 20 | Karma, Octane, Apathy, Pandur, Slacked |
| 3/4 | Chicago Huntsmen | 20 | Scump, FormaL, Arcitys, Envoy, Gunless |
| 5/6 | New York Subliners | 10 | ZooMaa, Attach, Accuracy, Temp, Mack |
| 5/6 | Los Angeles Guerrillas | 10 | Blazt, AquA, Decemate, Spart, Vivid |
| 7/8 | OpTic Gaming LA | 0 | Dashy, TJHaLy, JKap, Kuavo, SlasheR |
| 7/8 | London Royal Ravens | 0 | Wuskin, Dylan, skrapz, Jurd, Seany |
CDL Chicago Grand Final recap & highlights
The powerhouse Grand Final series between Empire and FaZe kicked off on Gun Runner Hardpoint, a back-and-forth affair that ultimately went the way of Dallas, 250-222, thanks to some expert positioning on the last hill.
https://twitter.com/CODLeague/status/1254560556297707521
Map two on St. Petrograd turned out to be one of the most exhilarating Search and Destroy matches of the season so far. Both teams traded shots all the way to round 11, and a massive clutch from young superstar Simp helped FaZe win the map 6-5 and tie up the series at one game apiece.
[#CDL2020 Chicago | Final]
ROUND 11 CLUTCH!@SimpXO wins the St Petrograd S&D 6-5 for @ATLFaZe, who are now tied with @DallasEmpire 1-1!
Next up, Hackney Yard Domination.
📺 Watch live – https://t.co/8dJZ9b8oMu pic.twitter.com/pbGtwN0mBt
— Dexerto Esports (@DexertoEsports) April 27, 2020
The Hackey Yard Domination was the first game of the series that wasn’t a neck-and-neck affair. Dallas took the initiative right from the getgo and didn’t allow Atlanta to ever really get any sort of footing for a rally. The final score, 171-146, gave Empire the 2-1 edge heading into map four.
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https://twitter.com/CODLeague/status/1254571753491369990
Game four, Hardpoint on St. Petrograd, turned out to be the final map of the series, as once again, Empire got off to a lightning-quick start and didn’t afford their vaunted opponents even the remotest chance at a comeback.
The final scoreline, 250-200, sealed the series and tournament victory for Dallas and perhaps handed them the mantle of the best team in the CDL right now.
🚨 BREAKING – @DallasEmpire are your #CDL2020 Chicago Home Series champions!
Congrats to @Clayster, @Crimsix, @iLLeYYY, @Huke, @Shotzzy, and coach @ramboray!#BuildAnEmpire pic.twitter.com/BBX1lOFhED
— Dexerto Esports (@DexertoEsports) April 27, 2020
CDL Chicago brackets & scores
Group A
Group B
Playoffs
Friday, April 24 – Day one recap & highlights
| Round | Match |
| Group A R1 | London Royal Ravens 0-3 Atlanta FaZe |
| Group B R1 | Seattle Surge 3-0 Los Angeles Guerrillas |
| Group B R1 | Dallas Empire 3-1 OpTic Gaming LA |
| Group A R1 | Chicago Huntsmen 2-3 New York Subliners |
Saturday, April 25 – Day two recap & highlights
| Round | Match |
| Group B WR2 | Seattle Surge 1-3 Dallas Empire |
| Group A WR2 | Atlanta FaZe 3-2 New York Subliners |
| Group B LR1 | Los Angeles Guerrillas 3-1 OpTic Gaming LA |
| Group A LR1 | London Royal Ravens 1-3 Chicago Huntsmen |
| Group B LR2 | Seattle Surge 3-1 Los Angeles Guerrillas |
| Group A LR2 | New York Subliners 1-3 Chicago Huntsmen |
Sunday, April 26
| Round | Match |
| Semifinal 1 | Dallas Empire 3-0 Chicago Huntsmen |
| Semifinal 2 | Atlanta FaZe3-1 Seattle Surge |
| Grand Final | Atlanta FaZe 1-3 Dallas Empire |
Event coverage & recaps
- Crimsix explains why he didn’t talk trash after Empire dominate Huntsmen
- OpTic’s SlasheR slams “unacceptable” Modern Warfare servers
- CDL Chicago Day 2 recap & highlights
- Another OpTic dude sparks roster change speculation
- CDL Chicago Day 1 recap & highlights
- Power Rankings ahead of CDL Chicago
- 6 players to watch during CDL Chicago
With the Chicago Home Series now wrapped up, the league’s attention will flip to the Florida Mutineer’s event, which will be the team’s first tournament since winning CDL Dallas.
The teams that will be participating in addition to Florida are: Atlanta FaZe, London Royal Ravens, Minnesota ROKKR, New York Subliners, OpTic Gaming Los Angeles, Paris Legion, and Toronto Ultra.
For more details, make sure to check out our Call of Duty League 2020 season hub, which includes the updated CDL standings, full event schedule, and more.