This article is part of our Call of Duty series.
The return of Dream Team all started with a Redbull if you ask one of the team's slayers, Martin "Chino" Chino.
Down 2-0 in their Stage 1 relegation match against Cloud9 Eclipse, Dream Team appeared to be on the verge of collapse, cascading into the dreaded abyss filled with other teams extinguished from the Call of Duty World League.
"Sender, my teammate was sitting there and was like 'Anybody want a Redbull?' I had never had it before and I felt like I needed some type of energy to get started because we were all kind of quiet and not into it yet. I can honestly say Sender giving me the Redbull probably helped us out more than people think because I felt like I woke up and started playing the way I should be and just being alert."
Perhaps fueled by the energy drink or the fear of falling out of Stage 2, Chino and the rest of Dream Team were able to rally back, forcing a series-deciding Game 7 Search and Destroy to determine who would earn a spot in Stage 2.
"At that point, I felt confident we would win the series," Chino recalled.
While Dream Team would go on to secure the win, it wasn't without a scare as the team squandered a 4-0 match lead before ultimately claiming victory in the final round.
That series, in all its gritty glory, perfectly illustrated Dream Team's tumultuous Stage 1, which Chino would colorfully deem "awful". While the team showed moments of promise throughout the first stage, including ending their run on a three-game winning streak, they were routinely dismantled by some of the better competition in the CWL and struggled to gain much consistency when playing against the less-than-elite. After finding themselves tied for second-last in the standings (7-15), it seemed as if changes had to be made during the offseason for Dream Team to climb out of the CWL cellar.
Soon after, Michael "SpaceLy" Schmale was quickly introduced as a new member to the team during "Rostermania" in an effort to bring a fresh face to the team, but a bizarre circumstance in which Schmale asked off the roster shortly thereafter left Dream Team struggling to regroup. According to Chino, it was that moment that became a rallying point for the team that just weeks earlier seemed to on its last legs.
"We all met together shortly after the end of the season and decided our best chance of success was with each other. After that moment, we really started to gain trust in one another. We finally realized we were good enough to compete with anyone."
With their newfound sense of confidence, Dream Team blazed into Stage 2, securing a 5-1 record while earning major victories over powerhouses such as Rise Nation and FaZe Clan. Thanks in large part to the efforts of Chino (0.99 K/D ratio during first six games), and Diabolic (1.01 K/D ratio through same) Dream Team was near the top of the standings, and winning through rather unorthodox ways.
Unlike many of their CWL counterparts, Dream Team relies on the totality of the team to make in-game calls and decisions, often allowing the player who shows particular skill in a specific area to make the necessary adjustments.
"We don't have a true in-game leader" said Chino. "We listen to one another and defer at different times. Everyone makes calls throughout the match."
This is, in part, because the team understands their strengths and weaknesses. Despite the hot start, Dream Team didn't record a single 3-0 shutout through the first six games, often struggling to keep up with the opposition in slay-heavy games such as Hardpoint. Chino admits it's an area of weakness, but what the team lacks in offensive power, they more than make up for in ingenuity and positioning --- skills necessary to excel in Capture the Flag and Search and Destroy.
"I think we are one of the best teams in Capture the Flag. Everyone practices and scrims Hardpoint, but never takes the time to work on Capture the Flag. We put in the work in that mode as best we can, and we know we will have success."
Despite a recent dip in the standings, which Chino attributes to a poor allocation of practice time and a bevy of illnesses/distractions, Dream Team remains in the thick of the playoff race, residing with a 7-6 record. While the slide has unleashed a wave of criticism from pundits and casters alike, Chino and the rest of Dream Team remain steadfast in their confidence in one another. At MLG Anaheim this weekend, they intend to make their presence felt within the Call of Duty community.
"I believe we can beat anyone we go up against," said Chino. "I hope we face off against OpTic Gaming or Rise Nation, because I love the challenge. To be the best you have to beat the best."
Only time will tell if Dream Team is truly up to the challenge, but one thing is certain: they won't be needing an energy drink to fuel the fire this time around.
