The Carolina Royal Ravens have had an unexpected start to the 2025 Call of Duty League season. The squad has put up some impressive numbers since day dot, floating around the top of the CDL standings and knocking the biggest teams in the business down a peg. It all started with a 3 – 0 win over Atlanta FaZe, a feat that any team hadn’t achieved for more than 500 days.
However, FaZe retaliated with a win against the Ravens in the GF of the first CDL Minor. At the Madrid Major, which is unfolding now, the Royal Ravens have kicked off a dominant run through the elimination bracket, after being pushed down into the depths by the LA Thieves.
In the opening round of the elimination bracket, the Carolina Royal Ravens decimated the Vegas Falcons, producing a 3 – 0 scoreline that included a dramatic reverse sweep in the round of Search. Many have praised the Falcons for their resilience, but the lack of mental composure during much-needed clutch moments is becoming an issue.
Following that round, the Royal Ravens soared onwards, clashing with OpTic Texas, previously the favourite to win the Madrid Major. OpTic managed to close out just one map – the opening Hardpoint. That was as close as close could be, with the scoreline settling at 248 – 250 in Carolina’s favour.
From there, it was a sweep for the Royal Ravens, with the remaining maps including a 3 – 0 wash over OpTic Texas on Protocol Control.
There were concerns about the resilience of the Carolina Royal Ravens following the opening loss against LAT. It was revealed that Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost has an eye injury that he’s dealing with, but regardless of that, he has been frying in-game.
The Royal Ravens will now need to contend with the likes of Toronto Ultra or Atlanta FaZe, two formidable teams that have had a brilliant season thus far. It took a while for Atlanta FaZe to get the wheels turning, but the squad now sits on a solid win streak of nine matches – including a win at the first CDL Minor.
It’s anyone’s game right now, and the $150,000 grand prize is lying in wait for whoever has the talent to secure it.
For more news from the CDL Major in Madrid, check out the comments I secured from OpTic Texas’ Shotzzy about EU-based events.
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