Many casual MLG fans know the household names Final Boss, Carbon, or even Str8 Rippin. Only a handful know the lesser known teams that place within the top 32 bracket. Some are forgetful, one time only teams that will never be heard of again but there are those teams that personify what exactly being a professional gamer is about. Welcome DPAD's first ever Underdog Spotlight for MLG Chicago.

For our first spotlight we will be focusing on a local team that has been traveling for over a year. They are fairly known for not only their unique name but defeating Carbon in a round at MLG Dallas. This local Illinois team is known as the Pokemon Breeders.


Mark "Vivi" Synder - Coach
Kevin "Holy the Great" Nyugen
Brian "Maygat" Swift
Michael "Only MiKe" Long
Toby "Asian One" Chanthaluxay


The team made their first appearance to the MLG Pro Circuit this year in Dallas 2006. From there, Matt "vivi" Synder coached the team to a 28th place showing out of over 200 teams. Entering Chicago they were on their home turf as the majority of players all were born and raised in Illinois. Coming into the event they became the crowd favorite sporting matching Pokemon Breeder's shirts and names on the back.

"The crowd gave us that extra confidence boost," Kevin "Holy the Great" Nyugen said. The team began in the open bracket but as the team advanced, Illinois began to show its appreciation for the hometown underdogs. "Home field brought us to the next level," Said Brian "Maygat" Swift. The team had everyone looking towards them as the team to root for. Friends were also a factor, according to Brian. In viewing the matches occurring throughout the tournament, the team's fan base consisted of not only friends but of family and local teams looking on. This brought them to a calmer state as they played the toughest team that the 4v4 Open and Pro divisions had to offer.


The top eight also had it's share of underdog teams. Arriving seemingly out of nowhere was the team Versus.


Theo "Powezzy" Hall
Chris "BoO" Budhu
George "Frosty" Polk
Matt "Hali" Moseloy


Meeting on Xbox Live, the team made it's first appearance in full due to roster problems in the previous events. Now lead by the Veteran Chris "BoO" Budhu and FFA Powerhouse Matt "Hali" Moseloy, Versus led an incredible run from the Amuatuer bracket to 7th overall as Moseloy reached 2nd overall in the FFA Championship. "I knew we could do it. There was not a doubt in my mind," Budhu said confidently. Being around since 2003, Budhu has had several team changes but according to Moseloy this team might be the team that sticks. "I love this team," he stated as he went on to describe their "amazing" run.

We will be looking forward to both teams aiming for another great run at Orlando. As we continue with new teams to spotlight, DPAD will help to give a closer look at the "other" teams at MLG.

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