Riot Games has announced that The Guard, the North American team that emerged victorious in the VCT Ascension 2023 tournament in São Paulo, Brazil, will not be participating in the upcoming VCT Americas League 2024 season. Despite their impressive performance in the Valorant Challengers League (VCL) and securing a promotion slot, The Guard failed to meet the deadline to agree to the Team Participation Agreement for VCT Americas.
The Guard’s journey in the VCL saw them finish second in the VCL NA Split 1, third in the VCL Mid-Season Face-Off, and second in the VCL NA Split 2, ultimately earning them a spot in the Ascension Americas tournament in Brazil. They dominated the group stage with a flawless 4-0 record, securing a place in the upper-bracket semifinals. In the playoffs, they triumphed over M80 and The Union, eventually emerging as the champions by defeating M80 3-1 in the grand final.
However, despite their remarkable achievements, The Guard will not be competing in the VCT next year due to their failure to meet the necessary requirements. Earlier this year, the organization underwent significant restructuring, which included unexpected layoffs affecting 29 employees across various departments. The Guard, owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, has faced speculation about the potential sale of their esports franchise slots.
As of now, there is no official statement from The Guard or Kroenke Sports & Entertainment regarding the future plans for their victorious Valorant roster from the VCL. Fans and followers eagerly await updates on the team’s next steps.
| The Guard Valorant Roster |
|---|
| Trent “trent” Cairns |
| Michael “neT” Bernet |
| Jacob “valyn” Batio |
| Ian “tex” Botsch |
| Michael “neT” Bernet |
| Josh “JoshRT” Lee (coach) |
Source: ONEESPORTS
