📝 OWCS Stage 1 NA Week 2 preview

The second weekend of the 2026 Season in North America is underway. After a weekend of new faces, returning faces, and even some surprising results, these matches are sure to bring even more excitement across the region.

With only five matches per team and only four teams qualifying for the regional playoffs, every win matters more than it ever has.

Game of the week: Team Liquid vs. Dallas Fuel

After a concerning showing against Extinction, Team Liquid are looking to stabilize after having their roster upended days before the start of the season. But this time, Liquid are entering into competition with an extra week of practice, which is sure to help the team gel with newly signed flex-support Yasser "Escanor" Alotaibi.

The only problem, their opponent is the fiery Dallas Fuel. While their 3-1 victory against Disguised was a bit rocky, the Fuel have shown themselves to be an easy contender for top-three in the region. With both Rocco "Kronik" Iacobacci and Kim "Kellan" Min-jae spearheading the attack, Team Liquid will need to be on their guard.

With Team Liquid recovering from their weakened state, their performance in this game will set the tone for the rest of the season.

Disguised vs. Extinction

Disguised and Extinction are coming off 0-2 starts to their seasons, with both teams nearly upsetting opponents above their pre-season expectations.

For Extinction, their ability to bring Team Liquid to five maps was impressive, despite the asterisk hanging over the fixture. And considering the one-sided nature of their 0-3 results against LuneX Gaming, Extinction will need to quickly shake off that game and recapture the momentum generated in their first match.

For Disguised, their performances against both Dallas and Spacestation Gaming were pleasantly surprising. Considering many had assumed this team would be contending for relegation, this past weekend showed that players like Evan "PGE" Ngo and Alexander "Tred" Madgwick-Smith are capable of causing an upset.

If Extinction want to keep themselves out of the bottom two, both Ryan "ryan" Lawless and Stevie "sniper" Rivera will need to have similar performances as they did in their match against Team Liquid.

Dallas Fuel vs. LuneX Gaming

LuneX Gaming finished their first weekend of matches at an even 1-1, suffering a one-sided loss to Spacestation and a one-sided victory against Extinction. While it was a good turn around to win their second series, some questions have arisen regarding their ability to contend with the upper half of the region.

The Dallas Fuel look to be a solid top-three team in this region, and are making an easy case for an appearance in Tokyo come May. If LuneX truly want to compete with the upper half of North America, both xten and xomba will need to spearhead their team against such a tough opponent.

Spacestation Gaming vs. Extinction

Spacestation Gaming cruised their way to an early 2-0 lead with a dominant victory against LuneX and a close clash with Disguised. And while Extinction did push Team Liquid to five maps, their results against LuneX have left question marks regarding this team’s ability to compete with the upper half of the region.

While Sniper was able to catch Liquid off guard, Xander "Hawk" Domecq is no stranger to competing with the best D.Va players in the world, and has proven himself time and time again to be one of the best in North America.

Disguised vs. Team Liquid

Disguised pushed both Spacestation and Dallas and nearly pulled off an upset in both series. Given that track record, it seems entirely reasonable that they have the prowess to win against this version of Team Liquid.

With Liquid needing to face both the Fuel and Disguised, as well as working on integrating their newest addition, these conditions seem ripe for an upset. But with an extra week of practice, Team Liquid is looking to rebound and find themselves once more at the top of North America.

Disguised is coming in hungry to prove themselves, and with their previous results, don’t be surprised if this game also goes the distance.