2019 Washington Justice season
The 2019 Washington Justice season was the first season of Washington Justice's existence in the Overwatch League as one of eight expansion franchises added for the 2019 season. The Justice struggled throughout the first three stages of the season, posting a 2–19 record in the first 21 games. However, the Justice flourished after the League's implementation of an enforced 2-2-2 role lock for Stage 4, as the team lost only one match in their final seven games to finish the season in 17th place with an 8–20 record.
2019 Washington Justice season | |
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Head coach | Kim Hyeong-seok |
General manager | Analynn Dang |
Owner | Mark Ein |
Results | |
Record | 8–20 (.286) |
Place | |
Stage 1 Playoffs | Did not qualify |
Stage 2 Playoffs | Did not qualify |
Stage 3 Playoffs | Did not qualify |
Season Playoffs | Did not qualify |
OWL All-Stars | 1
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Preceding offseason
On September 12, Washington announced the signing of former New York Excelsior coach Kim "WizardHyeong" Hyeong-seok as the team's head coach.[1] Eight days later, Washington signed Molly "AVALLA" Kim as an analyst; AVALLA is the first female coach to be signed in the history of the Overwatch League.[2] Justice announced its inaugural season starting roster between September and December, consisting of the following players:[3][4][5]
- Song "Janus" Junhwa,
- Kim "Sansam" Hyang-ki,
- Ethan "Stratus" Yankel,
- Corey "Corey" Nigra,
- Chon "Ado" Gi-hyeon,
- Moon "Gido" Gi-do,
- Riley "Fahzix" Taylor, and
- Cho "Hyeonu" Hyeon-woo.
Regular season
Stage 1
The Justice's first regular season match was against the New York Excelsior on February 16. Washington fell to a quick 0–2 deficit after losing on Ilios and King's Row, but the team was subsequently able to full-hold New York on the third map, Horizon Lunar Colony, en route to winning the map; however, the Justice lost on last map, Rialto, to lose the series 1–3.[6] The next week, the Justice first took on the 2018 champions London Spitfire. Washington came out strong, winning the first two maps to go up 2–0 going into halftime. They would not be able to close out the match, as Washington yielded the next three consecutive maps fall 2–3.[7]
The team's next match was against the Philadelphia Fusion on February 28. After winning the first map, Ilios, the Justice lost three maps in a row to fall in the series by a score of 1–3.[8] Two days later, the team took on the San Francisco Shock. Washington was dominated throughout the entirety of the match – even yielding the fastest completion time on Numbani in OWL history[9] – and was swept 0–4.[10] Washington faced the Seoul Dynasty a week later. An uncoordinated effort led the team to losing the first three maps, guaranteeing a match loss, but they were able to win the final map, Dorado, to lose the series 1–3.[11]
In the final week of Stage 1, the Justice first took on the Paris Eternal on March 16. Washington fell in the first map, Busan, and was able to force a tie on King's Row to enter halftime down 0–1. Washington struck back after halftime, winning Volskaya Industries, but they failed to stop Paris from completing Dorado on their attack and was unable to doing the same, leading to a 1–2 loss in the match.[12] Washington's final match of Stage 1 was against the Florida Mayhem a day later. Washington took the first two maps of the game, but Florida snagged the following two maps, forcing the match to a fifth tiebreaker map. Justice was able to take the final map, giving the franchise their first victory, and ending the stage with a 1–6 record.[13]
Stage 2
Following their final match of Stage 1, the Justice acquired support player Hong "ArK" Yeon-jun from New York Excelsior.[14]
The Justice opened Stage 2 with a match against the Toronto Defiant on April 5. Washington failed to get a single point on both Lijiang Tower and Hanamura to enter halftime down 0–2. A loss on Blizzard World solidified the loss; they picked up a win on Junkertown to lose the match by a 1–3 scoreline.[15] Two days later, Washington faced the Chengdu Hunters. In response to Chengdu's unconventional compositions, the Justice also veered away from the typical triple tank, triple support composition. The match saw an Overwatch League record 27-of-30 heroes played for more than a minute across the four maps. Washington was only able to find one map win in the series, as they fell by a score of 1–3.[16]
In week two, the Justice took on the undefeated New York Excelsior on April 11. Washington failed to find a map win in the series and were swept 0–4 for the second time of the season. Two days later, the team faced the Atlanta Reign. The Justice fell on Busan and full-held Atlanta on the second map, Paris, en route to tying the series 1–1 heading into halftime. Washington failed to win on Eichenwalde and, despite much stronger showing on Rialto, they could not secure win on the final map, leading to a 1–3 loss.[17]
On April 19, the Justice acquired acquired support Nikola "Sleepy" Andrews from the San Francisco Shock.[18] Just hours following the signing, Washington faced the Los Angeles Valiant, who also only had one win in the season. Surprisingly, Sleepy saw playtime in the match despite having only minimal practice with the team. Washington failed to secure a win, as they fell to the Valiant by a 1–3 scoreline.[19]
After a week off from play, the Justice took on the Shanghai Dragons on May 3. Washington fell on Paris and Blizzard World to enter halftime down 0–2. Following, the Justice were able to full-hold the Dragons on Blizzard World to claim the map win but, subsequently, fell on Watchpoint: Gibraltar to lose the series 1–3.[20] Their final match of Stage 2 was against the Boston Uprising two days later. Boston jumped out to a quick 2–0 lead heading into halftime, but Washington came back following, winning three maps in a row to win the match 3–2 and claim their only win in Stage 2.[21] Again, the Justice would end the stage with a 1–6 record, bringing their overall record to 2–12.[22]
Stage 3
Washington's first match of Stage 3 was against the Dallas Fuel on June 9. While the Justice fell convincingly in map one, Oasis, the team was able to force a draw on map two, Volskaya Industries, to head into halftime down 0–1. Washington failed to stop Dallas from completing their attack on Eichenwalde, leading to a map loss, and was full-held on Havana to ultimately lose the match 0–3.[23]
The following week, the Justice faced the Hangzhou Spark on June 15. After loss and a tie in the first two maps, Washington was handed one of the most dominant map losses in the history of the Overwatch League on Hollywood, as the team only secured two eliminations in the entire map.[24] The team went on to lose 0–3 against the Spark. The following day, Washington took on the Los Angeles Gladiators. The Justice failed to secure a single map in the match, extending that streak to twelve maps, as they were swept 0–4.[25]
In their only match of week three, Washington took on the London Spitfire. After winning the first map, Nepal, Washington and London tied on Paris. Up 1–0 in the match, the Justice could not turn the lead into a victory, as they dropped both maps three and four take a 1–2 loss.[26] The Justice had only one match in week four, as well, against the Houston Outlaws on June 28. After losing the first map and tying on the second, the Justice lost the final two to lose the match by a 0–3 scoreline.[27]
For the final week of Stage 3, Washington headed to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta to play at the "Atlanta Reign Homestand Weekend". Their first match at the homestand was against the Philadelphia Fusion on July 6. Both teams mirrored each other's composition throughout the match, but the Justice were unable to come out on top, as the game ended with a 1–3 loss for Washington.[28] The following day, the team took on the Guangzhou Charge. The stage ended on a low note for they Justice, as they were swept 0–4 by the Charge to give Washington a winless Stage 3 record.[28]
Stage 4
Prior to the start of Stage 4, which would include the implementation of an enforced 2-2-2 role lock by the League, the Justice signed tanks Elliot "ELLIVOTE" Vaneryd and Lukas "LullSiSH" Wiklund from the Dallas Fuel's academy team Team Envy.[29]
The Justice's first match of Stage 4 was against the Toronto Defiant on July 26; Washington came out of the match with a 3–1 victory.[30] The following week, Washington took on the Florida Mayhem on August 1. The Mayhem jumped out to a quick 2–0 lead, but the Justice rallied back and took the following three maps to complete a reverse sweep and win the match 3–2.[31] The win gave the Justice their first ever winning streak. Three days later, the team took on the league-leading Vancouver Titans. In a major upset, the Justice handed the Titans their first ever 0–4 loss and only their second loss in the entire regular season. DPS Corey "Corey" Nigra led the Justice throughout the match and broke the Overwatch League record for critical hit accuracy on Hanzo.[32]
Looking to continue their dominance in the new 2-2-2 meta, Washington next took on the Boston Uprising on August 9. Fueled by the continued stellar play from DPS Corey, the red-hot Justice proved too much to handle, as they took down Boston by a score of 3–1.[33] Two days later, the team faced the Houston Outlaws. After the teams split the first four maps, the match went to a fifth tiebreaker map. The Justice came out on top and won the match 3–2 to continue their undefeated Stage 4 record.[34]
The following week, the Justice faced the Atlanta Reign, who was also undefeated in Stage 4, on August 16. Washington lost the first map, Busan, and came out with a tie on the second map, Hanamura, to enter halftime down 0–1. Washington struck back on Hollywood, full-holding Atlanta on their attack, to tie the series heading into Junkertown. The Justice failed to win map four and lost the series 1–2.[35] The team's final match of the regular season was against the Paris Eternal two days later. The Justice ended the 2019 season on a high note by defeating the Eternal by a score of 3–1.[36]
Final roster
2019 Washington Justice roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Latest roster transaction: August 12, 2019. |
Transactions
Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2019 regular season:
- On March 18, Justice acquired Hong "ArK Yeon-jun from New York Excelsior.[37]
- On April 19, Justice acquired Nikola "Sleepy" Andrews from San Francisco Shock.[18]
- On July 14, Justice signed Elliot "ELLIVOTE" Vaneryd and Lukas "LullSiSH" Wiklund.[29]
- On August 12, Justice released Riley "Fahzix" Taylor.[38]
Standings
Record by stage
Stage | Pld | W | L | Pct | MW | ML | MT | MD | Pos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7 | 1 | 6 | .143 | 9 | 20 | 1 | -11 | 18 |
2 | 7 | 1 | 6 | .143 | 8 | 21 | 0 | -13 | 18 |
3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | .000 | 2 | 22 | 4 | -20 | 19 |
4[lower-alpha 1] | 7 | 6 | 1 | .857 | 20 | 9 | 1 | +11 | 4 |
Overall | 28 | 8 | 20 | .286 | 39 | 72 | 6 | -33 | 17 |
Qualified for playoffs • Qualified for play-in tournament |
- No stage playoffs were held for Stage 4.
League
2019 Overwatch League standings | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Team | Division | W | L | PCT | P | MR | MD | STK |
Division leaders | |||||||||
1 | Vancouver Titans | PAC | 25 | 3 | .893 | 28 | 89–28–0 | +61 | W1 |
2 | New York Excelsior | ATL | 22 | 6 | .786 | 28 | 78–38–3 | +40 | L1 |
Wild cards | |||||||||
3 | San Francisco Shock | PAC | 23 | 5 | .821 | 28 | 92–26–0 | +66 | W8 |
4 | Hangzhou Spark | PAC | 18 | 10 | .643 | 28 | 64–52–4 | +12 | W3 |
5 | Los Angeles Gladiators | PAC | 17 | 11 | .607 | 28 | 67–48–3 | +19 | W1 |
6[lower-alpha 1] | Atlanta Reign | ATL | 16 | 12 | .571 | 28 | 69–50–1 | +19 | W9 |
Play-in tournament | |||||||||
7[lower-alpha 1] | London Spitfire | ATL | 16 | 12 | .571 | 28 | 58–52–6 | +6 | L1 |
8[lower-alpha 2] | Seoul Dynasty | PAC | 15 | 13 | .536 | 28 | 64–50–3 | +14 | L1 |
9[lower-alpha 2] | Guangzhou Charge | PAC | 15 | 13 | .536 | 28 | 61–57–1 | +4 | W4 |
10[lower-alpha 2] | Philadelphia Fusion | ATL | 15 | 13 | .536 | 28 | 57–60–3 | -3 | W1 |
11[lower-alpha 3] | Shanghai Dragons | PAC | 13 | 15 | .464 | 28 | 51–61–3 | -10 | L5 |
12[lower-alpha 3] | Chengdu Hunters | PAC | 13 | 15 | .464 | 28 | 55–66–1 | -11 | W1 |
Did not qualify for playoffs | |||||||||
13 | Los Angeles Valiant | PAC | 12 | 16 | .429 | 28 | 56–61–4 | -5 | L2 |
14 | Paris Eternal | ATL | 11 | 17 | .393 | 28 | 46–67–3 | -21 | L1 |
15 | Dallas Fuel | PAC | 10 | 18 | .357 | 28 | 43–70–3 | -27 | L12 |
16 | Houston Outlaws | ATL | 9 | 19 | .321 | 28 | 47–69–3 | -22 | L5 |
17 | Toronto Defiant | ATL | 8 | 20 | .286 | 28 | 39–72–4 | -33 | L4 |
17 | Washington Justice | ATL | 8 | 20 | .286 | 28 | 39–72–6 | -33 | W1 |
19 | Boston Uprising | ATL | 8 | 20 | .286 | 28 | 41–78–2 | -37 | L8 |
20 | Florida Mayhem | ATL | 6 | 22 | .214 | 28 | 36–75–5 | -39 | W2 |
Tiebreakers | |||||||||
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Game log
2019 game log (Overall record: 8–20) |
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Stage 1 (1–6)
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Stage 2 (1–6)
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Stage 3 (0–7)
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Stage 4 (6–1)
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References
- Carpenter, Nicole (September 12, 2018). "Washington, D.C. Overwatch League team signs Janus, WizardHyeong". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- Carpenter, Nicole (September 20, 2018). "Washington, DC signs Overwatch League's first female coach". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- Carpenter, Nicole (September 12, 2018). "Washington, D.C. Overwatch League team signs Janus, WizardHyeong". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- Carpenter, Nicole (December 5, 2018). "Washington Justice signs three players to Overwatch League roster". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- "Overwatch: Washington Justice announce roster". ESPN. Reuters. December 6, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- Carpenter, Nicole (February 17, 2019). "Washington Justice shows spark of hope in tough opening loss to NYXL". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- August, Charlotte (February 22, 2019). "Overwatch League Stage 1 Week 2 Day 1". ESTNN. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- Yeak, Rachel (February 28, 2019). "Overwatch League Recap: Washington Justice vs. Philadelphia Fusion". The Game Haus. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- D., Rachel (March 6, 2019). "San Francisco Shock set new attacking speed record on Numbani". Win.gg. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Putney, Sam (March 2, 2019). "Overwatch League Recap: San Francisco Shock vs. Washington Justice". The Game Haus. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- August, Charlotte (March 11, 2019). "Overwatch League Stage 1 Week 4 Day 3 Recap". ESTNN. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Fossett, Wyatt (March 18, 2019). "Overwatch League Week 5 Recap: Vancouver Claims King of the Hill". Twin Galaxies. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- Fossett, Wyatt (March 17, 2019). "Washington Justice Earn First Win in the Overwatch League". Twin Galaxies. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- Richardson, Liz (March 18, 2019). "Washington Justice acquires ArK from NYXL". Dot Esports. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- Marr, Brian (April 6, 2019). "Overwatch League: Washington Justice vs Toronto Defiant". The Game Haus. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Carpenter, Nicole (April 10, 2019). "Chengdu Hunters and Washington Justice's Overwatch League match hits a record number of heroes". Heroes Never Die. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Golden, Garrett (April 14, 2019). "Overwatch League Recap: Atlanta Reign vs Washington Justice". The Game Haus. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Richardson, Liz (April 19, 2019). "Washington Justice acquire sleepy from San Francisco Shock". Dot Esports. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- Czar, Michael (April 20, 2019). "Overwatch League Recap: LA Valiant defeat new Washington Justice". Daily Esports. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Renie, Jakehttps://thegamehaus.com/esports/overwatch-shanghai-dragons-vs-washington-justice-5-4-pending/2019/05/04/ (May 4, 2019). "Overwatch: Shanghai Dragons vs Washington Justice". The Game Haus. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Richardson, Liz (May 6, 2019). "Washington Justice's Sleepy buys ice cream for his teammates after an Overwatch League win". Dot Esports. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- "Shock complete perfect OWL Stage 2, Spark reach playoffs". Gwinnett Prep Sports. Field Level Media. May 6, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- Scott, Rainee (June 9, 2019). "Overwatch League Recap: Washington Justice vs Dallas Fuel". The Game Haus. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Buchholtz, Matt (June 16, 2019). "Washington Justice Held to Two Eliminations vs Hangzhou Spark". Twin Galaxies. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Scott, Rainee (June 16, 2019). "Overwatch League Recap: Washington Justice vs. Los Angeles Gladiators". The Game Haus. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Fossett, Wyatt (22 June 2019). "Janus Saves Paris for Washington Justice With Winston Ult". Twin Galaxies. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
- Salaun, Theo (June 30, 2019). "Overwatch League 2019 Stage 3, Week 4: Surefour's Top Plays, Prize Money". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- Shelp, Malik (July 9, 2019). "Atlanta Reign's Homestand was as Good as the First". ESTNN. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
- Richardson, Liz (July 14, 2019). "Washington Justice acquire ELLIVOTE and LullSiSH". Dot Esports. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
- Cooney, Bill (July 27, 2019). "Overwatch pro Logix pulls off insane bait and switch by changing heroes". Dexerto. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- "Spitfire maintains perfect start to Stage 4". Gwinnett Prep Sports. Field Level Media. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- Richardson, Liz (August 5, 2019). "How role lock caused huge upsets in the Overwatch League". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Rand, Emily (August 10, 2019). "Justice unbeaten in 2-2-2 meta". ESPN. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- Arnold, Alex (August 16, 2019). "Washington Justice Preview: Stage 4, Week 4". The Game Haus. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
- Colombi, Gabrielle (August 17, 2019). "Overwatch League: trionfano ancora una volta Reign e Shock mentre i Gladiators si arrestano contro gli Spark" [Overwatch League: Reign and Shock once again triumph while the Gladiators stop the Spark]. Powned.it (in Italian). Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- Salaun, Theo (August 18, 2019). "Overwatch League 2019 Stage 4, Week 4: Hangzhou Spark's Top Plays, Prize Money". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- Czar, Michael (March 18, 2019). "Ark traded from the New York Excelsior to the Washington Justice". Daily Esports. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- Richardson, Liz (August 12, 2019). "Washington Justice drops Fahzix". Dot Esports. Retrieved August 13, 2019.