Both fierce and friendly, the rivalry between Team SoloMid and Cloud9 rages on at IEM San Jose.

TSM, once virtually uncontested, met their match when C9 entered the NA LCS in 2013. For both the Summer Split of 2013 and the Spring Split of 2014, TSM was challenged by their new rivals and a violent struggle for control of the region has ensued ever since. C9 lost this year’s North American Championship to TSM in a narrow 2-3 defeat, and with that fresh in their minds, they’ll take to the rift more determined than ever. TSM will match this determination, fighting to remind us why they deserve to be the 2014 NA LCS Champions.

TRADITIONS OF CHANGE AND SYNERGY

TSM enters the tournament with Santorin as their new jungler, a result of their latest roster change. They have utilized roster changes to make numerous improvements to the team. On the other hand, C9 has elected to remain unchanged, forcing individual players to improve rather than bringing in fresh talent. Since Cloud9 joined the LCS in the 2013 Summer Split, TSM has juggled mid laners, junglers, and supports to create what they hope to be the perfect storm.

TSM isn’t afraid to look to outside sources for talent. The team enters IEM San Jose with Santorin as their new jungler, a result of their latest roster change. In the last year alone, they’ve picked up Bjergsen from Ninjas in Pyjamas, Amazing from Copenhagen Wolves, and Lustboy from CJ Entus Blaze. While only Bjergsen and Lustboy remain on the team coming into the 2015 Season, the foreign talent they brought in was instrumental in their success last season. What’s more, it proves that TSM is always willing to make roster changes in order to overcome adversity and emerge victorious.

C9, however, has remained resolute in maintaining the same roster since joining the LCS. While they don’t make the same frequent roster changes TSM does, they have stronger team synergy because of it. Their unchanged roster will give them a definite competitive edge at IEM San Jose, as they have practiced together extensively. They were dominant for two splits, but finally fell to TSM 2-3 in the summer split of the 2014 NA LCS. Rather than choosing to switch up their roster going into 2015, they are opting to hold together as they always have.

The decision to stick with the same roster proves that C9 values synergy over all else. Amid the flurry of roster changes that occur between seasons, all is quiet for C9. Without the distraction of speculative rumors and the controversy of imported talent, it allows the team to focus and improve. This strategy has worked well for C9 so far, but there is a lot on the line for the 2015 Season. If they are unable to pull out a victory for the second split in a row, perhaps they will need to consider making a change. Until then, C9 is going to move forward as a cohesive powerhouse with something to prove.

A BLESSING AND A CURSE

With a long-established roster and big dreams, there’s a lot at stake for Cloud9 at IEM San Jose. While keeping an eye on the performance of Team SoloMid, C9 will have to beat paiN Gaming and Alliance to advance to the final. TSM has a guaranteed spot in the semifinals due to winning the NA LCS summer split, but they will have to defeat the winner of the Unicorns of Love versus Lyon Gaming match in order to potentially face C9.

While their respective performances will be the most important factor in determining which team looks stronger going into the 2015 season, a matchup in the Final would be a true test. This grudge match would serve as an exhibition to see how C9’s team synergy stacks up against TSM’s fluid roster on the new patch. IEM San Jose will help to determine how each team will need to grow and improve in preparation for the 2015 LCS season, where their performance will really count.

TSM has a lot to gain by defeating C9. Santorin has this opportunity to prove himself, and beating C9 at IEM will snowball his confidence going into the new season. TSM’s play style has always been to focus their jungle pressure on the mid lane. Santorin offers a supportive style of jungling, which will help get Bjergsen rolling. With both Santorin and Bjergsen hailing from Denmark, this may be an underlying asset in creating synergy between the players. Once the mid lane has been dominated, Santorin can assist his other teammates in their respective lanes.

LOOKING AHEAD

Whether you believe in TSM’s fluid roster or C9’s admirable synergy, the two squads’ appearances at IEM will be sure to entertain. A match in the Final would give the victorious team assertive confidence going into the 2015 season, while the losing team may begin to rethink their off-season decisions. Both of the North American titans have their advantages and handicaps going into the tournament, and with IEM San Jose quickly approaching, only time will tell who will dominate the rift and emerge victorious once more.

Want to catch the IEM San Jose action live? Tickets are still available!