The Dallas Fuel (2-4) and Houston Outlaws (4-6) were one of the first rivalries in the Overwatch League when it debuted in 2018. OWL caster and former Houston star Jake “Jake” Lyon was there from the start. He jumped on a call with The Dallas Morning News to discuss what the latest edition, happening online at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

You got to be a part of the beginning, so what is your first memory of the Houston Outlaws and Dallas Fuel rivalry?

Jake: “We played pretty near the beginning of the Overwatch League and we even played in the preseason, I think. They ended up beating us and it was close but they got the solid victory there. But luckily it was preseason so it didn’t really count for anything, but that was good for us because the next time we played them we beat them pretty soundly.

“That was at least how it started.”

Do you think this stayed a rivalry because of location, or was there something more between players?

Jake: “I think it was mostly about the location and it made it more fun. You could get hyped up about that match knowing that it was really important to everyone else. But on a personal level I am friends with a lot of those guys on the Dallas Fuel at that time and still to this day I’m still friends with a few of those guys. I don’t have any personal animosity towards any players in the league, but it still made it more fun to play matches against them with the rivalry.”

Specifically to this upcoming matchup, it’s two previously struggling teams that have been really hot as of late. How would you dissect this?

Jake: “I think this will be a tough one to call because both teams have played so well recently. I actually think the hero pools hurt the Fuel a little more than it hurts the Outlaws because the Fuel have been running Tracer in compositions where most people wouldn’t. They’ve pulled it out the last few weeks here and there.

“It’s definitely not a big deal, but a minor thing that messes with the Fuel a little. I think it’s a small price to pay for the Fuel but (Dante “Danteh” Cruz) is also really good on Tracer. Overall, I think it’s going to be a really close game and they both play with such different styles so I think it will be hard to call.”

What are some keys for the Fuel and Outlaws in this match for either team to come out on top?

Jake: “In Overwatch it’s all about the team play. I think that’s one thing that it’s hard to explain to the fans because it’s so complicated, but I think part of the reality of why we don’t see many players having personal rivalries is because the game itself is more team-based.

“It’s very hard to have those individual moments where you best your counterpart one-on-one. It only exists in rare circumstances whereas the lion share of the game involves working as a team to run your opponent out of resources and grind out a victory. So I think it’s going to be all about team play in this series and who can adapt over the course of the series. That’s a new thing that’s developed with hero pools.

Ultimately, do you think both teams are better than expected at the start of the season, and who would you give the upper hand to?

Jake: “I wouldn’t say they are better than expected because I did think the Fuel would be strong this season with all their huge pickups. A player like (Jang “Decay” Gui-un) is insane and one of the best in the world at his role. Having him means potential for a strong season.

“I also think getting (Lucas “NotE” Meissner) halfway through last season was a huge deal. He’s a really strong player and I think they made really good roster choices. But it’s the same for the Outlaws picking up (Kim “Meko" Tae-Hong, Kim “Rapel” Jun Keun, Lee “Jecse” SeungSoo and Jeffrey “Blase” Tsang) was huge and a lot of them had great starts to the season. I think I expected them to both be strong. They both had a rocky start but now they have picked it up and it could make for one of the most exciting rivalry matches yet. I don’t know how to say who has the advantage here at all.”

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