This weekend, top players for both Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Melee will congregate at the Legends Sports Complex in Houston to compete in what is for many their first tournament since EVO 2016.
Smash United, a community organization based in Houston, will be hosting their first national, Clutch City Clash, from August 6-7th. If you've been wanting some top-level gameplay amid the scant amount of stacked tournaments since EVO 2016, then you will rejoice to hear the names of some of those in attendance, such as:
- Elliot “Ally” Bastien Carroza-Oyarce
- Yuta “Abadango” Kawamura
- Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman
- Andrew "ScAtt" Huntley
- Griffin “Fatality” Miller
- Wesley “6WX” Alexander
- Joseph "Mang0" Marquez
- Joey “Lucky” Aldama
- Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman
- Jonny “S2J” Kim
- Hendrick “DJ Nintendo” Pilar
- Zach “SFAT” Cordoni
- Ryan “The Moon” Coker-Welch
- Mustafa “Ice” Akcakaya
This tournament is particularly interesting because of its proximity to EVO, in that we can hope to see how post-EVO sentiments affect the competitors. For example, it will be curious to see if Ally rides the momentum from his EVO win well into the month of August, or if a determined Mew2King, arguably the biggest threat to him at this tournament, will stop him in his tracks.
Despite Ally's positive record on Mew2King, going 3-1 in sets with him since May 1st of this year, history has shown us that Mew2King is capable of beating virtually anybody if he's playing on point. As Mew2King was not willing to partake in Smash Wii U at EVO due to problems surrounding the schedule, will we see him strike with a fury in order to make up for his absence? It's not out of the realm of possibility, that's for sure.
This post-EVO determination factor stems far beyond just the top players, so expect strong showings from ScAtt, Fatality and 6WX.
Melee is very much the same way. Although Mango is poised to take the tournament, that doesn't mean there won't be a fight for second place. All 8 of the top players in attendance were also at EVO - and none placed above 5th except Mang0. Knowing this, and knowing how a unsatisfactory placing can motivate players and push them to their limit, it will be all too interesting to see how these competitors fare when pitted against each other.
I'm particularly excited for a possible Westballz vs. S2J rematch after what occurred at EVO, S2J pulling off the seemingly impossible and beating Westballz in Top 8 losers - after struggling beating him ever before that. Westballz will be going into this weekend with that particular set in mind.
Lucky and Ice, both placing within Top 20 at EVO, have also got a strong desire to dominate and both are keyed up in the competition - and each other. After Ice won Super Smash Sundays, a SoCal major, against Lucky on July 10th of this year, the two have yet to encounter each other again. This tournament could very likely change that, and this time with a possibly different outcome.
Also from the Top 20 is The Moon at 17th, who also placed 5th at WTFox 2, beating Duck 3-0 in Losers Round 1 before being taken out by Wizzy 3-1 in Losers Quarters. The Moon is and has been a strong competitor so don't expect that to change this weekend. But crawling out from under are SFAT at 25th place and DJ Nintendo at 33rd. These two players certainly are determined to prove that their relatively low placings at EVO are not in any way indicative of their skills. They are both two very capable Fox specialists and in no way are they out of the running so expect these low placings to launch them into overdrive.
All in all, this weekend is bound to be a turbulent one for Smash and the time frame couldn't be any more perfect to witness high-octane gameplay. The tournament will begin early Saturday morning and will be streamed by both Tourney Locator and Smash United.
For more information, stay tuned on Smashboards.
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