The rumors are true. Over the past year, this site has spotlighted some of the hottest rising stars in Yu-Gi-Oh! In fact, before the Metagame revolution that changed it all, it was this very site (the best unofficial site in the history of Yu-Gi-Oh) that gave rise to the first idea of the professional Yu-Gi-Oh player. As unabashed hype man of the professional Yu-Gi-Oh scene, I’ve seen that many of the ideas that are taken for granted in this day and age first came on this site.

Together, we’ve seen the initial team battle that started the entire team craze, where Team Odyssey and Team Savage squared off at SJC Pomona. Then, the birth of professional Canadian Yu-Gi-Oh, Team Super Friends, and the respect they were entitled to that was seized from stunned Team America (comprised of members of Team Savage, Odyssey, Overdose (a no-show at that time), and the reigning Nationals Champion) was profiled on this site!

Then in a failure of epic proportions (on the part of yours truly), the team battle between East and West went underway at San Francisco but was not fully documented (I fail at life). While the East smashed the seemingly invincible West Coast riding the hot streak of Big Snuggly Poppa Alvarado, detractors and message board snarks ruined the exclusive by spoiling the results. While I resolved to never toil and trouble (for free) for theses pages again, this new brewing conflict was just too interesting to pass up.

There’s a new wave of Yu-Gi-Oh players now. The old professionals, the very best in the game, have fallen to the wayside due to real life commitments and school. Many of the players that used to run the game, such as Evan Vargas, Wilson Luc, Theerasak Poonsombat, Rhymus Lizo, Bryan Coronel, and myself have fallen to the wayside as a new breed of hustler professional has reached the forefront. While many are still clearly regarded as some of the best in the world (watch the recent resurgence of Detective Miguel Flores), a power shift from West Coast Yu-Gi-Oh to dominant Team Overdose in the East can clearly be observed since the epic team battle at San Francisco.

These young gunners led by Emon Ghaenian (unquestionably the best player results-wise in North America as of now) and Matt Laurents (not far behind) who I observed as solid, underrated players a few scant months ago want to take back the crown for North America. At Gen Con Indy, round two of the epic battle for the United States will be held. And while neither team will field their absolute best line-up, we can always save that for another day, perhaps on the shores of snowy Canada (wink wink). Enough with the pleasantries.

The brain trust of Team Overdose, led by stalwarts Anthony Alvarado, Kris Perovic, and Jerry Wang have given the go ahead to the new recruits. Emon Ghaneian and Shane Scurry to joined forces with the venerable Comic Odyssey’s stud, Matt Laurents. Joining them (barring any logistical problems) will be n2thez (Robert Morgan) and Brent Yetter, tentatively scheduled to appear. Both are two of the most successful players in these past two formats. Because it has currently been confirmed that Alvarado and Perovic won’t make the event, the young guns will helm Team America in its quest to avenge previous defeat against arguably the best group of players in the world. The world. Yes, the whole world.

You see, after a string of wins by Dale Bellido and Kyle Duncan, not to mention great showings by more lightly regarded players such as Chris Pittao and Andrew Hayton who stormed onto the landscape, nobody underestimates Canada. I vividly recall proclaiming that the Canadians were for real after playing with them at Charlotte and befriending and teaming up with the very lovable Conspire (Matt Peddle) and Supertrunks (Duncan). Nobody believed me.

Believe me this time. While Mr. Duncan will not be present (saving himself for the inevitable super clash of the cream of the crop), the two Bellido brothers and perhaps the most accomplished Yu-Gi-Oh player of our generation, Matt Peddle, have decided to helm Team Canada in this rematch that will take place during Gen Con Indy.

The battle will feature my usual immaculate presentation (I’ll finish it this time, I promise). The format is five versus five, endurance, meaning one player can pull an Alvarado and sweep good portions of the entire team. Full lineups will be posted before the event goes underway during Gencon Indy, so I would suggest going there to witness history be made, yet again.

Team USA:

Overdose’s Emon Ghaenian (Nationals T8, Two SJC Wins, SJC T8 Competitor

Team Odyssey’s Matt Laurents (06 Worlds Competitor, SJC T8 Competitor)

Overdose’s Shane Scurry (SJC Champion, SJC T8 Competitor)

Robert Morgan (SJC T8 Competitor)

Brent Yetter (SJC Champion, SJC T8 Competitor)

In a 5 on 5 Endurance Team Battle with

Team Canada:

Matt Peddle (Two Nationals T8, SJC T8 Competitor)

Dale Bellido (SJC Champion, SJC T8 Competitor)

Lazaro Bellido (SJC T8 Competitor)

 And two duelists to be named later.

It’s quite clear that some of the players on Team America have been plagued by accusations of dirty play and cheating. While the players have sterling accomplishments, they’ve been done under a black haze of presumed illegitimacy. This will be their chance to prove their legitimate skills against some of the best competition in the world.

Look forward to it at Gencon Indy, and send all feedback to JAELOVE@gmail.com. Our company, topiyugioh.com, will be present at the event. Come chat with me and professional player Hugo Adame!