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　　Counter Logic Gaming (5-5) vs Cloud 9 (8-2)

　　It may have taken three weeks, but Counter Logic Gaming was finally reunited with their starting jungler, Dexter, on Sunday. CLG had a decisive victory in their first match with the full roster over Evil Geniuses, with Dexter at the helm of the ship. He said “...I took the main responsibility of making calls, and the communication was really good, better than expected.” Despite the game starting off with Nien giving up two kills, a three man gank on mid lane gave LiNk a kill with Leblanc. It turned out that kill was the spark that LiNk needed. He proceeded to go on a rampage, picking up kills in the bot lane and ending the game with a score of 8/1/6.

　　Another highlight of CLG’s match was their team composition. Shyvana, Vi, Leblanc, Sivir and Thresh allowed them to engage and disengage on their own terms. Their composition really shined during a dragon fight at the 21:30 mark. Grouped as 5, Evil Geniuses activated Talisman of Ascension in an attempt to corner CLG into the dragon pit. But, Doublelift responded with “On The Hunt”, allowing his team to retreat to a safe position momentarily. Meanwhile, LiNk took Yellowpete down to half heath with a barrage of spells. This allowed Dexter to use “Assault and Battery” on Pobelter, locking him up before he could output any damage onto CLG’s squishy targets. This resulted in a 4-1 trade, and two mid lane turrets.

　　It’s Counter Logic Gaming’s toughest week so far this split, facing off against Cloud 9 and Team SoloMid. It’s finally time for the team to achieve their famed “potential”, as it’s the first time they’ve had a world class jungler since the Saintvicious era. In addition, the team has Montecristo behind the scenes as the teams coach, formulating their “big picture strategy.” CLG doesn't have any excuses anymore.

　　Exactly like the Season 3 Spring split, Cloud 9 only has two losses heading into Week five. Week 4 was Cloud 9’s easiest week so far, as they played the bottom two teams, XDG and Coast. As expected, Meteos and crew made quick work of both teams. After their match against XDG, Hai went on tosay: “...the only one that could carry is Kayle [Mancloud], so if we just focus our attention on the person that can carry and their jungler at the same time, they're not going to win.”

　　Meteos didn’t get the nickname “KDA Kid” for nothing -- his 30.0 KDA in Week 4 earned him Most Valuable Player. In both games, he applied early pressure with Lee Sin, allowing all of his lanes to transition into the midgame with a major advantage. After their victory over Coast, Meteos explained “...[this split] I think playing more aggressive and trying to force stuff gives you an upper hand when executed well. So, we’re having a little growing pains switching our style over to that. So, we’re not playing as well [as last split], but I think it’s still a step in the right direction and as we practice more and play more -- hopefully we’ll keep improving.” But, Meteos wasn’t the only one on Cloud 9 making plays. LemonNation controlled teamfights against XDG extremely well, landing hook after hook with Thresh. In the team’s game versus Coast, he was able to peel Dr. Mundo and Wukong off of the team's backline with Leona. All together in Week 4, LemonNation had a total score of 3/0/23.

　　It will be difficult to predict Cloud 9’s performance in Week 5. First, they face the revamped CLG roster, featuring the European jungler, Dexter. Next, they have a rematch with one of the only two teams able to take a win off of them, Dignitas. Both of these teams are known for being wildcards, and their performance can fluctuate rapidly. But, Cloud 9 can still prevail if they are able to execute their early game like they did in Week 4.

　　Evil Geniuses (3-7) vs Curse (4-6)

　　Week 4 was the first week where the Evil Geniuses went home without a single win. It goes without saying that EG’s performance so far has been less than ideal. So far, they have only been able to take games off of a temporary CLG roster, an ailing XDG and a confused Curse. Their strong individual performance and cohesive team play shown in the promotion tournament hasn’t reciprocated into the LCS.

　　In almost every Evil Geniuses loss, it’s in the most heartbreaking fashion. Their early game control is usually spot on. They can almost always secure first blood, and turn it into a dragon ot tower. But, when the team transitions into the mid game, they choke. Despite having an edge, they can’t seem to work as a streamlined unit in teamfights. After their loss to Team Solo Mid, Krepo went on to say: “...we’re improving, but we just let it slip again, happens a lot and it happens too much.” One of the teams strategies was running Soroka and Urgot in the bot lane. This had varied success, but teams now ban Soroka against EG, shutting down the strategy before it even has the chance to start.

　　As the halfway mark of the Spring Split approaches, Evil Geniuses will need to do something drastic if they want to save themselves from relegation. This could be the week to gain some momentum. A victory in their first match versus fifth place Curse isn’t far-fetched. Their second match versus Coast should go the way of EG, as Coast currently holds the last place spot.

　　Let’s be honest, just because a player “retires” doesn't mean they can’t come back and play again, right? Well, that’s exactly what Saintvicious did when he moved from the coach role to the support role. Saint justified the move bysaying “To be honest, Zekent was a really good player, had really good morale effects on the team and I think he’s a really smart person...he’s going to be taking over the coach position and doing that kind of stuff and I think he’s just better suited for that. He continued, saying: “Our team felt like we didn’t have a solid in-game shot caller..I think I’m just here for the shot calling strengths. I don’t think I’m the best support, I don’t think I ever will be, but I’ll do enough to get along and hopefully make the right calls.”

　　With Supportvicious calling the shots, Team Curse was able to go 1-1 in Week 4. In their first match, they were able to put an end to Dignitas’ five game win streak. Quas had a strong performance with Gragas in the top lane, ending the game with a score of 6/1/3. In the bot lane, Saintvicious’ Alistar was able to set up some kills peel very well in teamfights.

　　But, Curse wasn’t able to overcome the North American powerhouse, Team Solo Mid. Voyboy’s Kayle was no match for Bjergsen’s Nidalee.

　　If everything goes according to plan, Curse should go 2-0 this week. Up first, they play a unorganized Evil Geniuses. Following that, they face off against the second to last place XDG.

　　Coast (2-8) vs XDG (3-7)

　　LCS veterans Team Coast have fallen to the bottom of the standings with a score of 2-8. Before this split, Coast looked like they could put up a solid performance this go around. Their challenger scene dominance showed the team working cohesively, as they eventually went on to win the North American Challenger League. But, the addition of Alex Penn as an analyst and WizFujiiN to AD didn’t give them the push the needed to remain relevant in the LCS. They haven’t been able to win a game in three weeks, and are currently on a six game loss streak.

　　Coast is having a particularly difficult time in the bot lane. WizFujiiN and Daydreamin both hold the lowest KDA of any player in their respective roles. NintendudeX also has the lowest KDA of any other jungler, at 1.15.

　　Coast may have a chance to turn some games in their favor this week. They play two teams a stones throw away from them in the standings, Coast and XDG.

　　During the preseason, XDG made a controversial roster swap. Many considered xmithie to be one of the strongest junglers in North America, but he was swapped to AD after Battle of the Atlantic. Zuna was swapped from AD to the jungle.

　　In their first match of the season versus Evil Geniuses, XDG made it look like the roster swap was brilliant. Zuna went bezerk on Olaf controlling the pace of the game throughout. But, they haven’t has a game like that since. The roster swap has changed what used to be a top three team in North America, to a team fighting to get out of second to last place. Even mancloud, who was considered to be a top tier North American mid laner has been lacking in performance lately. Xmithie attributed his weak play to the meta shift, stating: “...it’s just the meta shift right now. None of his champions are in the spotlight. I think he just needs to be comfortable on more of the meta champions right now. Because, mostly his Riven and Zed got nerfed and he needs to focus on more AP champions because he likes going AD melee all the time. Usually I’m there to back him up before. I think shifting our playstyle right now is going to be better in the long run.”

　　XDG will have an interesting week. They will need to prove themselves versus Coast in order to avoid falling into last place. A win over Curse in their next match could put them right back into the mix.

　　Team Solo Mid (9-1) vs Dignitas (6-4)

　　The addition of Bjergsen was exactly what Team Solo Mid needed to move into the coveted first place spot in North America. His first two weeks in the NA LCS, Bjergsen earned Most Valuable Player. He also holds the highest mid lane KDA by a wide margin, at 6.61.

　　Currently on an eight game win streak, there is no denying that TSM is the strongest team in the NA LCS right now. Three of their players hold the highest KDA in their respective role. After a TSM win Dyrus commented on the team not having a primary shot caller: “Right now I can’t tell but it seems pretty decent with all of us talking. We’re still trying to figure that out. Regi [Reginald] told that to us. We need someone who has the “End [final] say.” Because, in closer games or more pressure games when we go against higher teams like C9 or a European team or any other Asian team that’s going to be playing at a higher level...talking all together isn’t going to cut it. We’re going to need those split second decisions. So, were still figuring that out but I think it’s one of the things on our priority list.”

　　Team Solo Mid will have to stay focused to continue their dominance this week. Their first match is against Team Dignitas, who is chomping at their heels to break into the top two. Their next match is versus CLG and their revamped lineup.

　　Dignitas’ five game win streak came to an end in the last match of Week 4 versus XDG. Despite having a week off during Week 3, Dignitas was still able to come back swinging -- going 2-1 at the end of the week. DIgnitas’ jungler, Crumbzz, commented: “...this is not the time where you want to take a break. ..we had to spend just two days watching LCS. We couldn’t scrim because every team is playing. Then, the day after is a break because every team is having a break. So, that’s three days break...because we are on a winning streak and you don’t want to stop there. I’m really glad we were able to continue it even after such a long break...I was pretty nervous going into this game but we just got our stride back again and it feels like we didn’t take a break anymore.”

　　Unexpectedly, the KiwiPie bot lane has stepped up to the plate. Despite having the most deaths of any LCS player last split, KiwiKid moved from top lane to support. Together with Imaqtpie, they have been making a name for themselves. Kiwipie holds the third highest KKDA of any support, and Imaqtpie isn’t far off in fourth. In the mid lane, Scarra has the second highest KDA of any mid laner at 4.12.

　　Dignitas will need to pick themselves up after their loss to XDG. They face the top two teams this week, TSM and Cloud 9. But, don’t count them out just yet. DIG is one of only two teams able to take a game over Cloud 9.

　　Catch all the Week 5 matches when they kickoff at 12 PM EST on lolesports.com.

　　Image Credit: Riot Games