Cruising past FlyQuest eSports in the 2017 NA LCS Spring Split semi-finals, Team SoloMid secured their place in the league’s playoff finals for the ninth consecutive split. Whilst the organisation continue to split the League of Legends fanbase, loathed and loved in equal measure, team owner Andy “Reginald” Dinh has built a formidable eSports dynasty. Ahead of what stands to be a record-breaking split title, CLICKON eSports looks back at the rosters that have made Team SoloMid a name so synonymous with regional finals.
No fan of the North American League of Legends Championship Series has ever experienced a playoff final without Team SoloMid. Set to make their ninth appearance at the regional showdown in Vancouver, fans are set for a repeat of the summer finals between TSM and the similarly consistent Cloud9.
Though the majority of TSM’s final appearances have resulted in success and boisterous chants from their passionate fanbase, the storylines of the team’s playoff defeats have often proved to be equally dramatic. Whilst many of the protagonists are still familiar figures, the dynamic of the Team SoloMid has shifted dramatically since their first LCS final appearance in the Spring of 2013:
Team SoloMid Spring 2013
The first ever season of the NA LCS. After establishing their status within the region during Seasons 1 & 2, Team SoloMid established their dominance once more, defeating Good Game University of the playoff finals to claim victory. The iconic roster featured a number of players who would go on to become TSM legends.
Team SoloMid Summer 2013
Unchanged from their Spring triumph, Team SoloMid reached the finals once more to face the emerging force of Cloud9. TSM were swept aside in the finals, outclassed 3-0 by the new kids on the block.
Team SoloMid Spring 2014
As Reginald stepped aside from the starting roster to adopt a managerial position, TSM ushered in the Bjergsen era. The young Dane impressed immediately, but the roster fell short of stealing back their crown, falling once more to the might of Cloud9.
Team SoloMid Summer 2014
With further roster changes, Amazing and Lustboy joined the team to replace original LCS members Xpecial and TheOddOne. The swaps provided immediate success as Team SoloMid were crowned Summer Split champions with a 3-2 victory over C9.
Team SoloMid Spring 2015
The success continued in the Spring of 2015. With Santorin joining the team to replace Amazing, TSM emerged from an unpredictable split to see off Cloud9 once more with a 3-1 victory.
Team SoloMid Summer 2015
Chasing a record third consecutive playoffs victory, Team SoloMid faced off against old rivals Counter Logic Gaming for the first time in a finals match. Dramatically, CLG claimed their first LCS title with a stunning 3-0 victory over TSM, perhaps the team's darkest hour.
Team SoloMid Spring 2016
Keen to recover from a disastrous World Championship performance from the NA region, TSM acquired Doublelift from their CLG in addition to Svenskeren and Yell0wstaR from Europe. Whilst stacked with talent the roster experienced a difficult split, fortunate to reach the finals based on their form in the regular split. Counter Logic Gaming repeated their heroics of the summer, defeating TSM 3-2 to exact revenge for Doublelift's 'betrayal'.
Team SoloMid Summer 2016
In what is widely regarded as the strongest iteration of the Team SoloMid roster in history, TSM recovered from their Spring Split defeat in dramatic fashion. Narrowly missing out on an unbeaten split, with rookie Biofrost joining Doublelift in the bot lane, TSM marched to playoffs victory with a 3-1 series win over Cloud9 in the final.
Team SoloMid Spring 2017
With familiar face WildTurtle back on the roster, TSM were keen to prove their collective strength in Doublelift's absence. Face Cloud9 once more, Svenskeren became the first TSM Jungler to win consecutive split titles.
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