2020 Houston Outlaws season

The 2020 Houston Outlaws season is the third season of the Houston Outlaws's existence in the Overwatch League (OWL). The Outlaws planned to host two homestand weekends at the Revention Music Center in Houston's downtown Theater District.[1] While their first homestand took place, all other homestand matches were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Houston Outlaws season
Head coachHarsha Bandi
General managerMatt Rodriguez
OwnerBeasley Media Group
Arena(s)Revention Music Center
ConferenceAtlantic
DivisionSouth
RegionNorth America
Results
Record6–15 (.286)
Place
May MeleeKnockouts
Summer ShowdownQuarterfinals
Countdown CupKnockouts
Season PlayoffsDid not qualify
Total Earnings$5,000

The Outlaws failed to make it past the quarterfinals in each of the three midseason tournaments of the season.[2][3][4] Houston ended the season with a 6–15 record and were eliminated from postseason contention on September 3 after a 1–3 to the Boston Uprising in the North America play-ins tournament.[5]

Preceding offseason

Sale of the franchise

On June 12, 2019, Immortals Gaming Club (IGC), the parent company of Immortals and the Los Angeles Valiant, acquired Infinite Esports, the parent company of Houston Outlaws and OpTic Gaming, marking the first major sale of any Overwatch League franchise.[6] By OWL rules, one company may not own more than one OWL franchise; while Riot Games and Activision Blizzard approved the sale, IGC operated Valiant and Outlaws as entirely separate entities, with oversight by OWL representatives, until they sold the Outlaws.[7]

On November 14, 2019, Beasley Broadcast Group announced the acquisition of the Houston Outlaws from Immortals Gaming Club. The purchase marked the company's third esports venture.[8]

Organizational changes

In September 2019, the Outlaws released both head coach Kim "TaiRong" Tae-yeong and assistant coach Kim "Hyunwoo" Hyun-woo – both who had been in their positions since the team's inception in 2017 – after Houston's disappointing 2019 campaign.[9] The following month, Houston signed Harsha Bandi, the former assistant coach of the Vancouver Titans and former analyst of the San Francisco Shock.[10] Following, the team signed former Montreal Rebellion coach Chris "Dream" Myrick to their coaching staff.[11]

Roster changes
Free agents
RolePlayerContract
status		Date signed2020 team
HandleName
DamageArhanWon-Hyeop JungFree agent––
SupportBaniChristopher BenellFree agent––
SupportBoinkDaniel PenceFree agentOctober 19Houston Outlaws[12]
Legend
  Re-signed/Retained by the Outlaws.
  Departed from the Outlaws.

The Outlaws enter the new season with three free agents, one player which they have the option to retain for another year, and six players under contract.[13] The OWL's deadline to exercise a team option is November 11, after which any players not retained will become a free agent. Free agency officially began on October 7.[14]

Acquisitions

The first signing for the 2020 season was on October 18, when the Outlaws signed DPS João Pedro "Hydration" Goes Telles, who had most recently played for the Los Angeles Gladiators.[15] Three days later, the team acquired DPS Jeffrey "blasé" Tsang from the Boston Uprising.[16] The following month, Houston picked up former Vancouver Titans flex support player Jung-geun "Rapel" Kim and former New York Excelsior flex tank Kim "MekO" Tae-hong.[17][18] The team added former Seoul Dynasty support player Lee "Jecse" Seong-soo on January 2.[19]

Departures

On October 17, the Outlaws announced that they would not re-sign free agent DPS Jung "Arhan" Won-hyeop, who had been with the team since its inception in 2017.[20] The following month, on November 9, the team announced that they would also not re-sign main support Chris "Bani" Bennell.[21] On December 7, flex DPS Jake "Jake" Lyon announced that was retiring from professional Overwatch competition.[22] A month later, on January 14, off-tank player Matt "Coolmatt" Iorio retired as a player and moved to an organizational role with the Outlaws.[23]

Roster
2020 Houston Outlaws roster
PlayersCoaches
Role No. Handle Name Nationality
Damage 6 Danteh Cruz, Dante United States
Damage 49 LiNkzr Masalin, Jiri Finland
Damage 22 blasé Tsang, Jeffrey United States
Tank 99 Hydration Goes Telles, João Pedro United States
Tank 17 Muma Wilmot, Austin United States
Tank 22 MekO Kim Tae-hong South Korea
Support 16 Rapel Kim Jun-keun South Korea
Support 13 Boink Pence, Daniel United States
Support 20 Jecse Lee Seung-soo South Korea
Head coach
  • Harsha Bandi
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: August 1, 2020.

Transactions

Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2020 regular season:

  • On July 15, the Outlaws released tank Alexandre "Spree" Vanhomwegen.[24]
  • On August 1, support Shane "Rawkus" Flaherty retired.[25]

Standings
Pos Con Team Pld W BW L PCT MW ML MT MD Qualification
1 ATL Philadelphia Fusion 21 19 5 2 0.905 59 19 0 +40 Advance to playoffs
2 PAC San Francisco Shock 21 18 7 3 0.857 56 17 2 +39
3 ATL Paris Eternal 21 15 4 6 0.714 50 31 0 +19
4 ATL Florida Mayhem 21 14 3 7 0.667 48 30 0 +18
5 PAC Los Angeles Valiant 21 11 1 10 0.524 41 41 0 0
6 PAC Los Angeles Gladiators 21 11 0 10 0.524 43 39 5 +4 Advance to play-ins
7 ATL Atlanta Reign 21 10 0 11 0.476 43 35 0 +8
8 PAC Dallas Fuel 21 9 0 12 0.429 35 44 0 −9
9 ATL Toronto Defiant 21 7 1 14 0.333 32 48 0 −16
10 ATL Houston Outlaws 21 6 0 15 0.286 32 50 3 −18
11 PAC Vancouver Titans 21 6 0 15 0.286 23 48 0 −25
12 ATL Washington Justice 21 4 0 17 0.190 21 54 1 −33
13 ATL Boston Uprising 21 2 0 19 0.095 14 61 4 −47
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) Wins plus bonus wins 2) winning percentage (excluding bonus wins); 3) map differential; 4) head-to-head record; 5) head-to-head map differential

Game log

Regular season
2020 game log (Regular season record: 6–15)
February–April 4–7
1 February 15 Florida Mayhem 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Philadelphia, PA
3:00 pm CST     The Met Philadelphia
Hosted by the Philadelphia Fusion
2 Busan 0
1 Havana 0
3 Eichenwalde 2
2 February 16 Washington Justice 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Philadelphia, PA
3:00 pm CST     The Met Philadelphia
Hosted by the Philadelphia Fusion
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Junkertown 1
3 King's Row 2
3 February 22 Boston Uprising 3 – 2 Houston Outlaws Washington, DC
4:00 pm CST     The Anthem
Hosted by the Washington Justice
2 Ilios 0
2 Temple of Anubis 2
3 Dorado 1
3 Blizzard World 3
0 Oasis 2
1 Nepal 2
2 Lijiang Tower 0
4 February 23 New York Excelsior 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Washington, DC
2:00 pm CST     The Anthem
Hosted by the Washington Justice
2 Ilios 0
2 Hanamura 1
3 Havana 0
5 February 29 London Spitfire 3 – 2 Houston Outlaws Houston, TX
6:00 pm CST     Revention Music Center
Hosted by the Houston Outlaws
2 Busan 0
2 Blizzard World 1
1 Temple of Anubis 2
2 Junkertown 3
2 Ilios 1
6 March 01 Toronto Defiant 1 – 3 Houston Outlaws Houston, TX
6:00 pm CST     Revention Music Center
Hosted by the Houston Outlaws
2 Nepal 1
3 King's Row 4
0 Horizon Lunar Colony 1
1 Dorado 2
7 March 07 Paris Eternal 0 – 3 Houston Outlaws Washington, DC
4:00 pm CST     The Anthem
Hosted by the Washington Justice
1 Oasis 2
0 Havana 1
1 Eichenwalde 2
8 April 05 Houston Outlaws 1 – 3 Paris Eternal Online
8:00 pm UTC    
9 April 11 Houston Outlaws 3 – 1 Boston Uprising Online
10:00 pm UTC    
10 April 12 Houston Outlaws 3 – 2 Toronto Defiant Online
8:00 pm UTC    
11 April 26 Houston Outlaws 2 – 3 Dallas Fuel Online
10:00 pm UTC    

May Melee qualifiers: 1–3
12 May 02 Houston Outlaws 0 – 3 San Francisco Shock Online
11:00 pm UTC    
13 May 09 Houston Outlaws 0 – 3 Atlanta Reign Online
11:00 pm UTC    
14 May 16 Houston Outlaws 3 – 0 Vancouver Titans Online
7:00 pm UTC    

Summer Showdown qualifiers: 1–3
15 June 14 Houston Outlaws 0 – 3 Philadelphia Fusion Online
7:00 pm UTC    
16 June 20 Houston Outlaws 3 – 1 Los Angeles Gladiators Online
11:00 pm UTC    
17 June 27 Houston Outlaws 2 – 3 Florida Mayhem Online
7:00 pm UTC    

Countdown Cup qualifiers: 0–4
18 July 17 Houston Outlaws 2 – 3 Dallas Fuel Online
9:00 pm UTC    
19 July 26 Houston Outlaws 1 – 3 Washington Justice Online
11:00 pm UTC    
20 July 31 Houston Outlaws 2 – 3 Los Angeles Valiant Online
9:00 pm UTC    
21 August 01 Houston Outlaws 0 – 3 San Francisco Shock Online
11:00 pm UTC    

Midseason tournaments
2020 midseason tournaments game log
May Melee: 0–1
Knockouts May 22 Houston Outlaws 1 – 3 Dallas Fuel Online
7:30 pm UTC    

Summer: 1–1
Knockouts July 03 Houston Outlaws 3 – 1 Florida Mayhem Online
9:00 pm UTC    
Quarterfinals July 05 Houston Outlaws 0 – 3 Philadelphia Fusion Online
1:00 am UTC    

Countdown Cup: 0–1
Knockouts August 07 Houston Outlaws 0 – 3 Los Angeles Valiant Online
9:00 pm UTC    

Bonus wins awarded: 0

Postseason
2020 playoff game log
North America Play-ins: 0–1
Round 1 September 03 Houston Outlaws 1 – 3 Boston Uprising Online
7:00 pm UTC    

References
  1. Mathews, Chris (August 21, 2019). "Major Houston esports team reveals dates, venue for first-ever home matches in 2020". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  2. Collins, Sean (May 22, 2020). "Decay leads Dallas Fuel to record-setting performance in 3-1 win over Houston Outlaws in May Melee". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  3. Field Level Media. "Defiant upset Reign, reach OWL Summer Showdown semis". Reuters. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  4. Richardson, Liz (August 7, 2020). "Fuel to the fire: Overwatch League Countdown Cup Knockout round results". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  5. Richardson, Liz (September 3, 2020). "Houston Outlaws, Vancouver Titans eliminated from Overwatch League playoffs". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  6. Goslin, Austen (June 12, 2019). "Immortals Gaming acquires Infinite Esports parent company of OpTic Gaming and Houston Outlaws". Polygon. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  7. Hayward, Andrew (June 12, 2019). "Immortals GC Acquires OpTic Gaming and Houston Outlaws Parent, Infinite Esports & Entertainment". The Esports Observer. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  8. Hitt, Kevin (November 15, 2019). "Beasley Broadcast Group Acquires Houston Outlaws From Immortals Gaming Club". The Esports Observer. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  9. Richardson, Liz (September 20, 2019). "Houston Outlaws release head coach and assistant coach". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  10. Richardson, Liz (October 16, 2019). "Houston Outlaws acquire Harsha as head coach". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  11. Scott, Rainee (October 25, 2019). "Outlaws Sign Chris "Dream" Myrick to Coaching Staff". The Game Haus. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  12. Houston Outlaws [@Outlaws] (October 19, 2019). "That's right, DJ Daniel is coming home to Houston" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. Morello, Matt (July 30, 2019). "2020 Team Needs and Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  14. Richardson, Liz (October 4, 2019). "Overwatch League reveals player contract status for entire league". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  15. Samples, Rachel (October 18, 2019). "Houston Outlaws sign Hydration ahead of the 2020 Overwatch League season". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  16. "Boston Uprising trade Jeffrey "blasé" Tsang to Houston Outlaws". GamingLyfe. October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  17. Field Level Media (November 16, 2019). "Outlaws, looking to climb OWL standings, sign 'Rapel'". Gwinett Prep Sports. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  18. Scott, Rainee (November 17, 2019). "Outlaws Sign Tae-hong "MekO" Kim". The Game Haus. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  19. Richardson, Liz (January 2, 2020). "Houston Outlaws sign Jecse". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  20. Lyons, Ben (October 18, 2019). "Houston Outlaws part with Arhan". Gamereactor. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  21. Scott, Rainee (November 8, 2019). "Houston Outlaws Release Chris "Bani" Benell". The Game Haus. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  22. "Houston Outlaws' DPS Jake retires". ESPN. Reuters. December 7, 2019. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  23. Richardson, Liz (January 14, 2020). "Coolmatt retires from pro Overwatch". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  24. Richardson, Liz (July 15, 2020). "Off-tank Spree parts ways with Houston Outlaws". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  25. Howard, Brandon (August 3, 2020). "Houston Outlaws' Rawkus Retires From The Overwatch League". TheGamer. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
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