After a week of qualifiers and two double elimination rounds, we are finally approaching the final stages of the main event, where four teams will stake their claim on a part of the $1500 prize pool. We have already bid adieu to two teams, Sultans of Swing and Running with Scizors. Left in the tournament are six teams, two in the upper bracket and four in the lower bracket.

Teams

froyotech

• Scout: clockwork
• Scout: ash
• Roamer: blaze
• Pocket: b4nny
• Demoman: duwatna
• Medic: shade

The world's proven top team continued their dominance by continuing their LAN streak with a victory at GXL last weekend. However, their performances online have been not as dominant, with a recent close loss to Ascent in an ESEA match plagued with client and server issues.

Ascent

• Scout: shrugger
• Scout: yomps
• Roamer: Ma3laa
• Pocket: rando
• Demoman: Bdonski
• Medic: phorofor

Ascent are ready, having dealt with the riffraff and reached their 'vs. Froyotech' position. A loss against TSU in an earlier ESEA game is certainly something to keep in mind, but they have yet to meet in this tournament. Worth noting is that Ascent has proven themselves much more of a contender when it comes to online play, with all of their maps won against froyotech being played online.

woodpig

• Scout: squid
• Scout: arcticjoe
• Roamer: milo
• Pocket: harbleu
• Demoman: dingo
• Medic: mason

The reinvention of last season's 5$ Club, woodpig found themselves with an invitation to the tournament as one of the Legends, but their performance in this ESEA season has been a mixed bag, especially against their first few opponents. Being such a wildcard, they may find themselves unable to clinch the necessary games to get into the final four and take a share of the prize pool.

Team SoloUber

• Scout: alec
• Scout: cyzer
• Roamer: grape
• Pocket: showstopper
• Demoman: xalox
• Medic: ninjanick

A phenomenal showing against Ascent just last week puts them in a similar situation as woodpig, but on the other side of the coin. They've proven they have the potential to beat teams in the echelon, and will no doubt be intent on rising up the rankings.

Getawhale Fanclub

• Scout: arekk
• Scout: Linkuser
• Roamer: aim
• Pocket: goldfish
• Demoman: Avast
• Medic: Nursey

The first place seed coming from the Qualifiers, Getawhale Fanclub have found themselves taking a forfeit win against Sultans of Swing (otherwise known as Kawaii 5-0) before getting ready to play woodpig. GF have an interesting history as of late. If they can beat woodpig, they'll replace them in the Final Four, being perhaps the only one of the Challengers to achieve that.

Unbridled Dreams

• Scout: Freestate
• Scout: corsa
• Roamer: tagg
• Pocket: alfa
• Demoman: Muma
• Medic: indust

Unbridled Dreams, known in ESEA as Strawberry Mangoes, have survived a challenge from upcoming contenders Running with Scizors (playing in ESEA Intermediate as Pizzagon eSports) to move into the top 6. As they once again face Invite opponents, they'll surely be hoping that their ESEA record is no indication of their ability to perform, as a recent loss against TSU themselves may prove to be a premonition for Unbridled Dreams.

Matchups

Upper Bracket Final: froyotech vs. Ascent

Benjamin Franklin once said, "three things are constant in life: death, taxes, and froyotech vs. Ascent." Matches between the two have gone both ways in the past, and both teams have been the top two teams since the demise of Classic Mixup. This will be yet another series to add to the history books. with extra practical significance due to the winner getting an advantage in the grand finals.

Lower Round of 6: woodpig vs. Getawhale Fanclub

Getawhale Fanclub and woodpig are very closely matched teams, with both battling very close together in the race for a playoff spot in ESEA. This match will be a preview with some significance attached, as a loss will mean elimination, and a victory will secure a payout at the very least. The two games between these teams in ESEA have been split, with Getawhale Fanclub taking a 5-0 victory early in the season, only to give a 5-3 victory to woodpig in a much more recent game.

Lower Round of 6: Team SoloUber vs. Unbridled Dreams

Team SoloUber is a long way from their 20b roots, but are still just as potent. Their opponent, Unbridled Dreams, are no slouches either, with the talent and experience to go far. This match will be critical showing for Unbridled Dreams, with a win giving them major confidence as they look to close out the Invite season strongly and make a run for the playoffs. With the result of this match also being the difference between elimination and a finish in the money, both teams will surely bring everything they can in order to take the victory.

Conclusion

froyotech and Ascent are in firm control of their own destiny, with the winner of their matchup proceeding directly to the grand finals with a best-of-three advantage in their favor. woodpig, Team SoloUber, Getawhale Fanclub, and Unbridled Dreams are all now only one series from elimination, but also only one series from finishing in the money.

These six teams will fight it out live this weekend, with both $1500 and pride at stake. Coverage will begin at 8:00 PM EDT on Saturday, where the two heavyweights of North America face off once again, followed by the match between two lower bracket survivors to figure out who will move into the top 3. On Sunday at 8:00 PM EDT, we will begin with the lower bracket final, followed immediately by the grand final to determine the new champions of North America. All of the action will be streamed live on teamfortresstv, so make sure to tune in for a primetime treat.