The North American teams that could join Team Liquid at Worlds 2019

The League of Legends Championship Series is almost at its conclusion, with teams scrambling their way into the playoffs with a shot at representing North America at the 2019 League of Legends World Championships. Team Liquid has locked its spot at the event after securing playoffs as well as winning the Spring Split. Here are four teams that could join them in League's most historic event.

Team SoloMid

It seems as if the roles have been flipped, with TSM likely to attend the World Championship despite currently sitting in fifth place. In the 2018 season, TSM fans were in uproar as 100 Thieves, despite their glaring organisational and roster problems, attended the World Championships ahead of them.

Despite making changes to their roster, the six time North American Champions still lack an identity with their performances validating their fifth place position. TSM, however, do have championship points to fall back on with Counter Logic Gaming and Optic Gaming not possessing any.

Cloud9

No matter the circumstances, no matter the opposition, Cloud9 has always made it to the World Championship. Cloud9 are the only North American organisation to attend every year since their inception into the LCS. However, things have been pretty hot and cold for C9 recently, and subbing out Kumo for Licorice may have upset the balance of the team.

Cloud9 had the opportunity to take advantage of the victory against Team Liquid to fight for a first place bye in the regular season, but were halted dead in their tracks by an upsurging Counter Logic Gaming.

On its day, Cloud9 is still one of the best teams in North America, despite missing out on the finals last split. They are certainly a favourite to join Team Liquid at the 2019 World Championship.

Counter Logic Gaming

They waited three years but the faithful have finally been rewarded. Counter Logic Gaming is once again one of the top teams in North America, their victory over Cloud9 solidifying themselves as a challenger to Team Liquid's crown.

CLG have shown you do not need to have the best players to be one of the best teams. Their solo laners rarely lose lane and are able to create pressure for Wiggily to work his way around the map. Their macro play has greatly improved since their roster changes. Ruin is able to comfortably sit in the top lane and absorb the pressure whilst the rest of the team make plays. 

Counter Logic Gaming will have to work extra hard if they are to qualify for the World Championships. If TSM or Cloud9 make it to the finals then CLG will have to run the regional gauntlet in order to secure themselves a spot at Worlds. They're good enough to match up against the best teams in the league, but it will be interesting to see how they perform in a best of five, high-pressure environment.

OpTic Gaming

It is a sad time to be a fan of the GreenWall after the news broke out that Immortals will be purchasing OpTic, making it their fourth and final split in the LCS. On multiple occasions OpTic has come so close yet so far to achieving their goal of reaching playoffs. Meteos and Crown have boasted MVP-esque games, and with those two performing well OpTic are looking like the fourth best team in the league.

Similarly to Counter Logic Gaming, OpTic will have to make a deep run at playoffs or win the Summer Split to have a chance at qualifying for Worlds. In a best of five, it may be a bridge too far for Optic. When the pressure has mattered most Optic have faltered every time. The GreenWall will be hoping for a different story in their last outing in North America.

To attend the World Championships would be the ultimate send off for OpTic Gaming. Whilst they have never made the playoffs in their short LCS history, they have always surpassed expectations, famously almost knocking TSM out of playoff contention for the first time in their history. They're likely to reach playoffs but fans will be hoping for a miracle from OpTic before they bow out of the LCS.

Let us know in the comments which teams you think will join Team Liquid at World's!