Ever since the birth of the RLCS in 2016, players and teams alike from across the world have been vying to call themselves the best. Here now in 2022, despite the duopoly of the father figures in Europe and North America being tested in recent years, it is still these two regions that have locked out the podium positions at all major events to date. At the heart of that battle are a team that has recently restored North America to the top.
Well this just shows that G2 really is the best rocket league team in the world
— Moist💧 G2 Grizz1y (@Grizz1y_AJM) May 8, 2022
Rightfully sitting at the summit of the mountain following the RLCS Winter Major in Los Angeles are the team we’re here to talk about today – the G2 Rocket League roster. A storied history the organization has had to say the least since joining the esport in its first year, from the past cornerstones of Rizzo and Kronovi to the roster of JKnaps, Chicago, and Atomic we see them excelling with today.
The First Success
Now synonymous with the G2 Rocket League brand, the longest-standing member of this prime composition is the humble Canadian Jacob “JKnaps” Knapman. He came into the fray at the age of 16 for the North American sweethearts between Season 2 and Season 3 of RLCS. G2 had just come off a disappointing season. The first World Champion roster of Kronovi, Lachinio, and 0ver Zer0 failed to even make Playoffs in Season 2 League Play, a performance that rightfully heralded change. Having impressed as Selfless (then Momentum)’s substitute, JKnaps was in demand. Despite interest from other teams, he would line up alongside Kronovi and a Rizzo who had made the World Championship by takingScribbly 3 that season.
This would be the amongst the most iconic and longest standing rosters in Rocket League esports history, and from the very start, however, they certainly knew how to bring a rollercoaster of emotion, going 0-2 on the final week of Season 3 League Play to miss out on an automatic Worlds spot, then losing to Denial in Playoffs ultimately leading to them missing out entirely. Throughout their near 2 year tenure spanning four RLCS Seasons, the roster would have countless highs and lows.
Although they would never again fail to qualify for a World Championship, none would be higher than their victory at the ELEAGUE Cup in December 2017. With North America amid a 2 and a half year drought for an RLCS World Championship title this was a watershed moment with JKnaps dazzling, and making a heroic stop for a savior medal in the dying seconds of Game 7 to secure the Grand Finals win over the Gale Force Esports dynasty.
Recent Form
The roster of JKnaps, Chicago, and now Atomic would again be NA’s number 2 during the Winter Split, but there was certainly something more about them, and their win in the second regional of the split showed it. The latest G2 Rocket League roster rolled up to Spring Major in Los Angeles, the first Rocket League event with a crowd in over 2 years, and the rest is history.
G2 went unbeaten the entire event until the Grand Finals, where they were bracket reset by Europe’s Team Queso (now Moist Esports). They then beat them 4-2 in the second series to secure the momentous result and lion’s share of the $300,000 prize pool. Following the win, JKnaps said, “someone asked me in the hotel last night, what would I do if we lost another Grand Finals – I guess we’ll never know.” Who knows indeed just how strong they will become the Spring Major, as there’s only been one Regional so far in the split for North America, and G2 already won that.
The team will be eyeing to winning the Spring Split Championship this Spring. Running with the same team, there might be a few changes in starts by G2 Esports.
Also Read- Rocket League Championship Series: Spring Split Primer
