2021 Houston Outlaws season

The 2021 Houston Outlaws season was the Houston Outlaws's fourth season in the Overwatch League (OWL). Harsha Bandi, who served as the team's head coach in the 2020 season, and Choi "Junkbuck" Jaewon served as the team's co-head coaches. The Outlaws underwent major roster changes in the offseason, with six of their eight players from 2020 leaving the team. The Outlaws failed to qualify for any of the four midseason tournaments. Houston finished the regular season with an 11–5 record and a fifth-place finish in the Western region. The Outlaws qualified for the West play-in tournament; however, they lost to the Washington Justice in the play-ins and did not qualify for the season playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

2021 Houston Outlaws season
Head coachHarsha Bandi
Choi "Junkbuck" Jaewon
General managerMatt Iorio
OwnerBeasley Media Group
RegionWest
Results
Record11–5 (.688)
Place
May MeleeRegional finals
June JoustRegional semifinals
Summer ShowdownDid not qualify
Countdown CupDid not qualify
Season PlayoffsDid not qualify
Total Earnings$0

Preceding offseason

Organizational changes

In October 2020, assistant coach Chris "Dream" Myrick left the organization.[1] Additionally, the Outlaws signed former San Francisco Shock assistant coach Jae "Junkbuck" Choi to be a co-head coach along with their current head coach Harsha Bandi and promoted Matt "coolmatt" Iorio as the organization's new general manager.[2]

Roster changes
Free agents
Position Handle Name 2021 team Date signed Notes
Damage Blasé Jeffrey Tsang London Spitfire December 26[3] Option declined
Support Boink Daniel Pence – – Option declined
Damage Danteh Dante Cruz Houston Outlaws October 27[4] –
Support Jecse Lee Seung-soo Dallas Fuel November 10[5] Option declined
Damage Linkzr Jiri Masalin Vancouver Titans December 1[6] Option declined
Tank Meko Kim Tae-hong – – Option declined
Tank Muma Austin Wilmot – – Option declined
Support Rapel Kim Jun-keun Dallas Fuel October 27[7] Option declined
Legend
  Light green background indicates a player was re-signed by the Outlaws.
  Light red background indicates a player departed from the Outlaws.

The Outlaws entered free agency with eight free agents, seven of which became free agents due to the Outlaws not exercising the option to retain the player for another year.[8]

Acquisitions

The Outlaws' first offseason acquisition was William "Crimzo" Hernandez, a support player coming off a season with the Dallas Fuel placing in the top three among all Overwatch League flex supports in healing, damage, and eliminations per 10 minutes, who was signed on November 24, 2020.[9] The next day, they signed Lee "Happy" Jung-woo, a damage player and sniper specialist who played with the Guangzhou Charge for two seasons.[10] Houston signed two rookie tank players on December 4, Shin "PIGGY" Min-jun and Cho "JJANGGU" Myung-heum, both of whom played for Talon Esports in Overwatch Contenders the previous season.[11] Three days later, they acquired damage player Kyle "KSF" Frandanisa from the Los Angeles Valiant.[12] The Outlaws' next acquisition was on December 11; the Outlaws signed support player Enrique "Joobi" Triana, who had been playing for Harrisburg University Storm. The signing marked the first time that a college player had been signed directly to an Overwatch League roster.[13] Houston's final signing of the offseason was on January 21, 2021, with the signing of damage player Jacob "Jake" Lyon, a former member of the Outlaws who retired to pursue a career in casting prior in the 2020 season.[14]

Departures

Seven of the Outlaws' eight free agents did not return, four of which signing with other teams, beginning with support player Kim "Rapel" Jun-keun signing with the Dallas Fuel on October 27, 2020.[7] On November 10, support player Lee "Jecse" Seung-soo also signed with the Fuel.[5] The team lost damage player Jiri "Linkzr" Masalin, who signed with the Vancouver Titans on December 1.[6] Several weeks later, on December 26, damage player Jeffrey "Blasé" Tsang signed with the London Spitfire.[3] Three of the Outlaws' free agents, tank player Kim "Meko" Tae-hong, tank player Austin "Muma" Wilmot, and support player Daniel "Boink" Pence did not sign with a team in the offseason.

Regular season

The Outlaws began their 2021 season on April 16 in the May Melee qualifiers, playing against in-state rival Dallas Fuel in the May Melee qualifiers. After trading wins throughout the first four maps, the Outlaws won the match after taking map five.[15] They won their next game against the defending OWL champions San Francisco Shock in a six-map series, thanks in part to a game-winning Earthshatter, Reinhardt's ultimate ability, by Myung-heum "Jjanggu" Cho to close out the series.[16] The following week, the Outlaws faced the Paris Eternal and London Spitfire; Houston defeated both teams to finish the qualifiers with a 4–0 record.[17] With a first-round bye, the team advanced to the finals of the regional knockouts.[18] Facing the Fuel in the regional finals, the Outlaws were swept 0–3, ending their May Melee run.[19]

Lacking depth in tank players, the Outlaws signed Song "Dreamer" Sanglok, a tank player who had played for the Los Angeles Valiant in the 2020 season, prior to the beginning of the June Joust qualifiers.[20] In the following tournament cycle, the June Joust, the Outlaws finished with a 3–1 record in the qualifiers and the advanced to the regional knockouts. For the third time in the season, and the second in a regional knockout, Houston faced the Fuel in the semifinals of the regional knockouts; they were swept 0–3 and eliminated from contention.[21]

Prior to the beginning of the Summer Showdown, the third tournament cycle of the season, the Outlaws released veteran damage player João Pedro "Hydration" Goes Telles.[22] Houston failed to advance to the regional knockouts of the Summer Showdown after losing to the Fuel in the final qualifying match of the tournament cycle.[23] The Outlaws found similar results in the final tournament cycle, the Countdown Cup, as they were unable to make it past the qualifiers.[24]

With an 11–5 regular season record and 11 league points, the Outlaws finished the season in fifth place in the West region standings,[25] qualifying them to advance directly to the finals of the West region play-in tournament.[26] Houston faced the Washington Justice in the finals. In the first-to-three series, the match was tied 2–2 after four maps; however, the Outlaws lost the final map and were eliminated from postseason contention.[27]

Final roster
2021 Houston Outlaws roster
PlayersCoaches
Role No. Handle Name Nationality
Damage 20 Happy Lee Jung-woo South Korea
Damage 6 Danteh Cruz, Dante United States
Damage 27 KSF Frandanisa, Kyle United States
Damage 76 Jake Lyon, Jacob United States
Tank 33 JJANGGU Cho Myung-heum South Korea
Tank 17 PIGGY Shin Min-jun South Korea
Tank 1 Dreamer Song Sanglok South Korea
Support 4 Joobi Triana, Enrique United States
Support 7 Crimzo Hernandez, William Canada
Head coach
  • Harsha "Harsha" Bandi
  • Jae "Junkbuck" Choi
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Roster

Transactions

Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2021 regular season:

  • On May 19, the Outlaws signed tank player Song "Dreamer" Sanglok.[20]
  • On June 28, the Outlaws released damage player João Pedro "Hydration" Goes Telles.[22]

Standings
Pos Team Pld W L Pts PCT MW ML MT MD Qualification
1 Dallas Fuel 16 11 5 17 0.688 40 26 3 +14 Advance to season playoffs
2 Los Angeles Gladiators 16 11 5 14 0.688 41 21 0 +20
3 Atlanta Reign 16 11 5 13 0.688 41 21 0 +20
4 San Francisco Shock 16 12 4 12 0.750 43 24 2 +19 Advance to play-ins
5 Houston Outlaws 16 11 5 11 0.688 34 24 3 +10
6 Washington Justice 16 9 7 9 0.563 29 26 2 +3
7 Toronto Defiant 16 9 7 9 0.563 31 31 0 0
8 Paris Eternal 16 8 8 8 0.500 32 32 2 0
9 Boston Uprising 16 7 9 7 0.438 27 31 1 −4
10 Florida Mayhem 16 5 11 6 0.313 26 38 2 −12
11 London Spitfire 16 1 15 1 0.063 12 47 1 −35
12 Vancouver Titans 16 1 15 1 0.063 10 45 0 −35
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential

Game log

Regular season
2021 game log
May Melee
Qualifier match 1 April 16 Houston Outlaws 3 – 2 Dallas Fuel Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 1
2 King's Row 3
3 Havana 2
3 Volskaya Industries 4
2 Ilios 0
Qualifier match 2 April 18 Houston Outlaws 3 – 2 San Francisco Shock Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Blizzard World 3
1 Dorado 0
3 Temple of Anubis 4
0 Oasis 2
1 Havana 0
Qualifier match 3 April 24 Houston Outlaws 3 – 1 Paris Eternal Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Nepal 0
4 Havana 5
3 Volskaya Industries 2
4 King's Row 3
Qualifier match 4 April 25 Houston Outlaws 3 – 0 London Spitfire Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
2 Hanamura 1
Regional finals May 02 Dallas Fuel 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Online
6:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
3 Volskaya Industries 2
4 Blizzard World 3

June Joust
Qualifier match 1 May 22 Houston Outlaws 1 – 3 Atlanta Reign Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Ilios 0
1 Hollywood 3
2 Junkertown 3
0 Hanamura 2
Qualifier match 2 May 23 Florida Mayhem 1 – 3 Houston Outlaws Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
0 Eichenwalde 3
3 Dorado 4
0 Temple of Anubis 1
Qualifier match 3 May 29 Houston Outlaws 3 – 0 London Spitfire Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Oasis 0
3 Dorado 2
3 Temple of Anubis 2
Qualifier match 4 May 30 Toronto Defiant 1 – 3 Houston Outlaws Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
0 Rialto 3
0 Volskaya Industries 2
0 Numbani 3
Regional semifinals June 06 Dallas Fuel 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Busan 0
2 Hanamura 1
3 Eichenwalde 2

Summer Showdown
Qualifier match 1 July 03 Houston Outlaws 3 – 1 San Francisco Shock Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
1 Busan 2
6 Junkertown 5
1 Volskaya Industries 0
2 King's Row 1
Qualifier match 2 July 04 Vancouver Titans 0 – 3 Houston Outlaws Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
0 Nepal 2
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
1 Hanamura 2
Qualifier match 3 July 08 Boston Uprising 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Ilios 0
2 Temple of Anubis 1
2 Eichenwalde 1
Qualifier match 4 July 09 Dallas Fuel 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Online
5:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Hanamura 2
2 Hollywood 1
2 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1

Countdown Cup
Qualifier match 1 July 30 Houston Outlaws 3 – 0 Washington Justice Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Ilios 0
3 Blizzard World 2
2 Route 66 1
Qualifier match 2 August 01 Atlanta Reign 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Online
2:00 pm CDT    Details
2 Nepal 1
3 King's Row 2
2 Rialto 1
Qualifier match 3 August 12 Florida Mayhem 1 – 3 Houston Outlaws Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
0 Busan 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
3 Blizzard World 3
2 Route 66 3
0 Ilios 2
Qualifier match 4 August 14 Los Angeles Gladiators 3 – 0 Houston Outlaws Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Hanamura 0
2 Numbani 1

2021 season schedule

Postseason
2021 playoff game log
West Play-ins
Finals September 5 Washington Justice 3 – 2 Houston Outlaws Online
3:30 pm CDT    Details
1 Oasis 2
2 Temple of Anubis 1
2 Eichenwalde 3
5 Dorado 4
2 Busan 1

References
  1. Richardson, Liz (October 14, 2020). "Houston Outlaws DPS Blasé exploring offers in OWL free agency". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  2. Michael, Cale (October 19, 2020). "Houston Outlaws promote coolmatt to general manager position". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  3. Michael, Cale (December 26, 2020). "London Spitfire signs blasé ahead of 2021 Overwatch League season". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  4. Miceli, Max (October 27, 2020). "Houston Outlaws renews deal with Danteh". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  5. Michael, Cale (November 10, 2020). "Dallas Fuel signs Jecse to pair with multiple former teammates". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  6. "Titans add three veterans for 2021". Reuters. Field Level Media. December 2, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  7. Howard, Brandon (October 29, 2020). "Fielder Joins A Strong Dallas Fuel Roster". TheGamer. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  8. "2021 Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  9. Johnson, Xavier (November 24, 2020). "Crimzo joins the Houston Outlaws". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  10. Richardson, Liz (November 25, 2020). "Happy joins the Houston Outlaws". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  11. Richardson, Liz (December 4, 2020). "Houston Outlaws signs tank line PIGGY and JJANGGU". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  12. "Outlaws bolster roster with former Valiant DPS KSF". Reuters. Field Level Media. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  13. Michael, Cale (December 11, 2020). "Houston Outlaws signs Harrisburg University's Joobi". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  14. Richardson, Liz (January 21, 2021). "Jake returns to the Houston Outlaws". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  15. "Shock, Outlaws win Overwatch League openers". Reuters. Field Level Media. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  16. Parrish, Ash (April 19, 2021). "Anatomy Of A Perfect Overwatch Earthshatter". Kotaku. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  17. Mathews, Chris (April 26, 2021). "How the Overwatch League's Houston Outlaws are building a local esports brand". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  18. "Trio of teams set for May Melee with critical wins". Reuters. Field Level Media. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  19. Collins, Sean (May 2, 2021). "Dallas Fuel smash San Francisco, Houston to qualify for May Melee with best Overwatch in franchise history". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  20. Czarnowski, Michael (May 19, 2021). "Dreamer signs to the Houston Outlaws, returns to the league". Upcomer. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  21. Collins, Sean (June 6, 2021). "Brief moments of focus have the Dallas Fuel heading back to Hawaii, chasing a second Overwatch League trophy". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  22. Richardson, Liz (June 28, 2021). "Hydration leaves the Houston Outlaws". Dot Esports. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  23. "Fuel take down Outlaws in Summer Showdown qualifying". Reuters. Field Level Media. July 9, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  24. Hopwood, Sam (September 9, 2021). "Big Iron: A 2021 Houston Outlaws Retrospective". The Game Haus. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  25. "2021 OWL Standings". The Overwatch League. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  26. Richardson, Liz (August 26, 2021). "How the Overwatch League 2021 postseason and playoffs will work". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  27. Richardson, Liz (September 5, 2021). "San Francisco Shock, Washington Justice advance to Overwatch League playoffs bracket". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
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