Could anyone have imagined that a team from North America, where CS:GO has always been considered a weak link, would suddenly turn the game upside down? In 2018, Cloud9 caused a sensation by winning the ELEAGUE Major in Boston. This success was not just a resounding victory, but a moment when American esports made a loud statement about itself. Why is this breakthrough so important? It showed that courage and talent can destroy the myth of the invincibility of European teams.
Cloud9, as confirmed by fans of the v7v7 game, did not become a star right away. At the start, in 2013, it was just one of many trying to break through the shadow of giants like Fnatic and Astralis. In North America, CS:GO was then considered almost a second-rate game — local teams rarely made it to the finals of major tournaments. But everything changed when Cloud9 assembled its combat lineup. In 2017, Jake "Stewie2K" Yip and Timothy "autimatic" Ta joined the team. These guys added not only accuracy but also the conviction that America could compete with the best.
Incidentally, almost no one was betting on Cloud9 before the Boston Major. Bookmakers dismissed them, giving them slim chances. But the team seemed to have decided, "Screw the predictions." They confidently dealt with their opponents in the group stage and showed their teeth in the playoffs. Each of their matches resembled a tense detective story, with Cloud9 finding unexpected twists and turns time and time again.
The 2018 ELEAGUE Major final still gives fans goosebumps. Cloud9 clashed with FaZe Clan, a European machine packed with stars like NiKo and olofmeister. Three maps, nerves on edge, an atmosphere as if the air were sparking. FaZe took Mirage, but Cloud9 responded on Overpass. And on the decisive Inferno, the real show began.
Overtime on Inferno — that very moment that went down in history. Stewie2K, young and daring, repeatedly broke through FaZe's defence with his bold moves. The Americans played as if it were their last chance. The result: 22:19 in overtime, the first Major for America. The crowd in Boston was buzzing, and the Cloud9 players seemed stunned by their own feat.
Cloud9's victory is more than just a trophy. It changed the perception of American CS:GO. Until 2018, the region was on the back burner, and local teams were rarely invited to prestigious tournaments. Boston changed everything, proving that Americans can beat the top teams. Young people from the United States and Canada believed in their abilities, and teams like Team Liquid and Evil Geniuses began to occupy high positions in the rankings.
Cloud9 ignited a spark for a new generation. Stewie2K became an idol for newcomers, showing that character is more important than years spent in front of a monitor. And, of course, the fans. Americans, accustomed to cheering for European teams, finally found their heroes. Social media was flooded with memes and enthusiastic posts about the great American rise.
What sets Cloud9 apart? First, their teamwork. The players were like brothers, and the coaches knew how to give them freedom without losing control. Second, risk. The Europeans often played by the book, while Cloud9 caught their opponents off guard with bold moves. Their aggressive pushes on Inferno, for example, took FaZe by surprise.
Then there's the mentality. The Americans came on stage with a kind of youthful bravado, as if to say, "We're here to tear everyone apart." It was like a breath of fresh air in a world ruled by calculation and templates. Surprisingly, it was this audacity that became their main weapon.
Cloud9's triumph in 2018 is one of the most memorable chapters in the history of CS:GO. Not only did it bring America its first Major, but it also showed that esports is driven by passion, not geography. Today, Cloud9 continues to inspire. Their new lineups, though not always at the top, carry the same Boston spirit. American CS:GO is like an engine that coughed for a long time but finally got going. And it seems that new heights are already looming on the horizon.