2021 Los Angeles Valiant season

The Valiant entered free agency with three free agents, two of which became free agents due to the Valiant not exercising the option to retain the player for another year.{{cite news |title=2021 Player Contract Status |url=https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/news/2021-player-contract-status |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=Overwatch League |date=October 21, 2020}}

The Valiant's first acquisition of the offseason was Adam "Adam" Soong, a rookie tank player coming from Overwatch Contenders Australia team Ground Zero Gaming who signed on November 19, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Los Angeles Valiant signs off-tank Adam |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/los-angeles-valiant-signs-off-tank-adam |access-date=January 20, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 19, 2020}} On December 9, they signed Brady "Agilities" Girardi, a veteran damage player who had played for the Valiant in 2018 and 2019 before signing with the Toronto Defiant in 2020.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Agilities returns to the Los Angeles Valiant |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/agilities-returns-to-the-los-angeles-valiant |access-date=April 26, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=December 9, 2020}}

After releasing the entirety of their roster and staff in preparation for their move to China for the 2021 season, the Valiant announced their new roster on March 18, 2021. For their damage players, they signed Liao "Molanran" Yang, a "highly touted prospect" from Contenders, and Cai "Krystal" Shilong, a controversial player who had been forcibly removed from his prior two Overwatch League teams. Their tank signings consisted of Han "Sliver3" Haibo, Wen "NvM" Yelin, who had been retired for over three years, and Cheng "ShowCheng" Yu. For their support players, the Valiant signed Zhang "Highbee" Zening and Qi "{{not a typo|Wya}}" Haomiao, another "highly touted prospect" at points in his career.{{cite news |last1=O'Dwyer |first1=Samuel |title=Los Angeles Valiant announces its roster for the 2021 season |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/los-angeles-valiant-announces-its-roster-for-the-2021-season |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=March 18, 2021}}

None of the Spark's three free agents returned, two of which signed with other teams, beginning with damage player Damon "Apply" Conti, who signed with Overwatch Contenders team Revival on December 9, 2020.{{cite tweet |user=TheRevivalGG |author=Revival |number=1336732609024430080 |title=Revival Gauntlet 2020 |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=January 20, 2021}} On February 1, 2021, tank player Rick "Gig" Salazar signed with Contenders team We Want OWL.{{cite tweet |user=owl_want |author=We Want OWL |number=1356232362607083526 |title=Na Open division team roster! |date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=February 2, 2021}} The team's final free agent damage player Caleb "McGravy" McGarvey announced his retirement in the offseason.{{cite news |last1=Michael |first1=Cale |title=McGravy retires from competitive Overwatch |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/mcgravy-retires-from-competitive-overwatch |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=February 3, 2021}}

Outside of free agency, the Valiant's first departure was damage player Kyle "KSF" Frandanisa, who was transferred to the Houston Outlaws on December 7.{{cite news |last1=Czar |first1=Michael |title=KSF traded, signs to the Houston Outlaws |url=https://www.dailyesports.gg/ksf-traded-signs-to-the-houston-outlaws/ |access-date=January 18, 2021 |work=Daily Esports |date=December 7, 2020}} On February 2, 2021, the Valiant released all of its players and staff, citing visa issues, as they prepared compete from China instead of North America for the 2021 season. Players released included damage players Brady "Agilities" Girardi, Kai "Kai" Collins, and Johannes "Shax" Nielsen; tank players Adam "Adam" Soong and Song "Dreamer" Sang-lok; and support players Mun "Lastro" Jung-won and Park "Rain" Jae-ho.{{cite news |last1=Amenabar |first1=Teddy |title=OWL’s L.A. Valiant releases entire roster, citing visa issues in relocation to China |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2021/01/29/overwatch-valiant-china-league/ |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=The Washington Post |date=January 29, 2021}}

The Valiant began their 2021 season on April 17 with a loss to the Chengdu Hunters 1–3 in the May Melee qualifiers.{{cite news |author1=Field Level Media |title=Philadelphia Fusion open strong in Week 1 of Overwatch League |url=https://www.gwinnettprepsports.com/sportsxchange/philadelphia-fusion-open-strong-in-week-1-of-overwatch-league/article_c11abdfa-3cd8-5d01-b2ff-95dfd518f86c.html |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=Gwinnett Prep Sports |date=April 17, 2021}} They were swept in their following match against the Philadelphia Fusion 0–3.{{cite news |last1=O'Dwyer |first1=Jack |title=Overwatch League Week 1 Round-Up |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/esports/overwatch-league-week-1-round-up/ar-BB1fPmIh |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=MSN |date=April 19, 2021}}

{{Esports roster header|team=Los Angeles Valiant|season=2021|num=yes|role=yes}}

{{Esports player | num = 1 | handle = Molanran | name = Liao Yang | role = Damage | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports player | num = 7 | handle = Krystal | name = Cai Shilong | role = Damage | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports player | num = 3 | handle = Silver3 | name = Han Haibo | role = Tank | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports player | num = 20 | handle = NvM | name = Wen Yelin | role = Tank | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports player | num = 18 | handle = ShowCheng | name = Cheng Yu | role = Tank | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports player | num = 22 | handle = Highbee | name = Zhang Zening | role = Support | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports player | num = 11 | handle = Wya | name = Qi Haomiao | role = Support | nat=CHN}}

{{Esports roster footer

| head_coach =

• Zhang "JpCat" Peng

| otherlegend = (2W) Two-way player

| roster_url = https://valiant.overwatchleague.com/en-us/roster

| transaction_date = 18 March 2021

}}

{{2021 Overwatch League East standings}}

{{OWL game log start|Los Angeles Valiant|2021}}

{{OWL game log section|Los Angeles Valiant|May Melee|hide=n|

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 1 | date = April 17 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|03:30}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 1

| team2 = Chengdu Hunters | team2score = 3

| map1 = Lijiang Tower | map1team1score = 0 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = King's Row | map2team1score = 3 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Havana | map3team1score = 0 | map3team2score = 3

| map4 = Volskaya Industries | map4team1score = 1 | map4team2score = 2

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37255 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 2 | date = April 18 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|05:00}} PDT

| team1 = Philadelphia Fusion | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Busan | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 1

| map2 = Eichenwalde | map2team1score = 3 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Watchpoint: Gibraltar | map3team1score = 3 | map3team2score = 2

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37251 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 3 | date = April 30 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 0

| team2 = Guangzhou Charge | team2score = 3

| map1 = Ilios | map1team1score = 1 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Hanamura | map2team1score = 0 | map2team2score = 1

| map3 = Eichenwalde | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 2

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37246 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 4 | date = May 01 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = Seoul Dynasty | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Nepal | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 0

| map2 = Temple of Anubis | map2team1score = 2 | map2team2score = 1

| map3 = Blizzard World | map3team1score = 3 | map3team2score = 1

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37243 Details]

}}

}}

{{OWL game log section|Los Angeles Valiant|June Joust|hide=n|

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 1 | date = May 29 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = Shanghai Dragons | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Busan | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 0

| map2 = Rialto | map2team1score = 3 | map2team2score = 1

| map3 = Volskaya Industries | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 1

| map4 = Numbani | map4team1score = 1 | map4team2score = 0

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37284 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 2 | date = May 30 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = New York Excelsior | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Ilios | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 0

| map2 = Dorado | map2team1score = 1 | map2team2score = 0

| map3 = Temple of Anubis | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 0

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37282 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 3 | date = June 04 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|05:00}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 0

| team2 = Hangzhou Spark | team2score = 3

| map1 = Oasis | map1team1score = 0 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Hanamura | map2team1score = 0 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Hollywood | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 2

| location = Hangzhou, CN | stadium = Future Sci-Tech City | host = Hangzhou Spark

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37238 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 4 | date = June 05 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 1

| team2 = Philadelphia Fusion | team2score = 3

| map1 = Nepal | map1team1score = 0 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Volskaya Industries | map2team1score = 1 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Numbani | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 0

| map4 = Rialto | map4team1score = 1 | map4team2score = 2

| location = Hangzhou, CN | stadium = Future Sci-Tech City | host = Hangzhou Spark

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37237 Details]

}}

}}

{{OWL game log section|Los Angeles Valiant|Summer Showdown|hide=n|

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 1 | date = June 26 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = Hangzhou Spark | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Lijiang Tower | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 1

| map2 = Eichenwalde | map2team1score = 2 | map2team2score = 1

| map3 = Route 66 | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 0

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37330 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 2 | date = June 27 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|05:00}} PDT

| team1 = New York Excelsior | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Ilios | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 0

| map2 = Hollywood | map2team1score = 3 | map2team2score = 0

| map3 = Watchpoint: Gibraltar | map3team1score = 3 | map3team2score = 1

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37325 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 3 | date = July 09 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|05:00}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 0

| team2 = Shanghai Dragons | team2score = 3

| map1 = Nepal | map1team1score = 1 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Volskaya Industries | map2team1score = 0 | map2team2score = 1

| map3 = King's Row | map3team1score = 2 | map3team2score = 3

| location = Shanghai, CN | stadium = Jing'An Sports Center | host = Shanghai Dragons

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37318 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 4 | date = July 10 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|03:30}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 0

| team2 = Chengdu Hunters | team2score = 3

| map1 = Oasis | map1team1score = 0 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Temple of Anubis | map2team1score = 1 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Eichenwalde | map3team1score = 0 | map3team2score = 1

| location = Shanghai, CN | stadium = Jing'An Sports Center | host = Shanghai Dragons

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37316 Details]

}}

}}

{{OWL game log section|Los Angeles Valiant|Countdown Cup|hide=n|

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 1 | date = July 31 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|03:30}} PDT

| team1 = New York Excelsior | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Oasis | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 1

| map2 = Blizzard World | map2team1score = 3 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Rialto | map3team1score = 3 | map3team2score = 1

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37375 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 2 | date = August 01 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|02:00}} PDT

| team1 = Seoul Dynasty | team1score = 3

| team2 = Los Angeles Valiant | team2score = 0

| map1 = Ilios | map1team1score = 2 | map1team2score = 0

| map2 = Numbani | map2team1score = 1 | map2team2score = 0

| map3 = Havana | map3team1score = 3 | map3team2score = 2

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37373 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 3 | date = August 13 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|03:30}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 0

| team2 = Guangzhou Charge | team2score = 3

| map1 = Nepal | map1team1score = 1 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Hanamura | map2team1score = 1 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = King's Row | map3team1score = 1 | map3team2score = 2

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37369 Details]

}}

{{Overwatch collapsible box

| match = Qualifier match 4 | date = August 14 | year = 2021 | time = {{24 h to 12 h|03:30}} PDT

| team1 = Los Angeles Valiant | team1score = 0

| team2 = Chengdu Hunters | team2score = 3

| map1 = Lijiang Tower | map1team1score = 0 | map1team2score = 2

| map2 = Volskaya Industries | map2team1score = 1 | map2team2score = 2

| map3 = Numbani | map3team1score = 0 | map3team2score = 3

| location = Online | stadium = | host =

| details = [https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/match/37367 Details]

}}

}}

|[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/schedule 2021 season schedule]

{{OWL game log end}}

{{reflist}}

{{2021 OWL season by team}}

{{Los Angeles Valiant}}

Los Angeles Valiant

Los Angeles Valiant

Category:Los Angeles Valiant seasons