USC ESPORTS WRAP-UP #11 — “Young Blood”
Heya USC Games! Welcome back to another Esports wrap-up. Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with Juan Morales Lopez, a freshman studying Astronautical Engineering and one of the Rocket League managers; and Brian Ho, a freshman studying Intelligence and Cyber Operations, and RL keyboard player (amongst the 2% of the entire player base)!
1. What's it like to coach a team, considering that just a week ago you were playing on it?
Juan: “One major challenge would be how I’ve never really coached anything before, and I definitely knew that the switch from player to coach would be major since while you're playing you don’t really think about your mistakes. [As a coach] when you just step back, you really see all the mistakes and the good things that happen. [The hard part is that I] give too much compliments to the point where it’s not really helpful and too little feedback. I’m sort of the person to not really critique people. I just need to improve on the balance. [But] I love being there for them and being the support system they need in times of losses or struggles.”
2. What do you love about Rocket League?
Juan: “I started this game three years ago, and I really like competitive games that let players be creative. There’s so many ways and possibilities in ways you can score and ways you can defend— shots that are still being developed everyday. You’re never limited. You’re only limited by your skill. For me, it’s just fun.”
Brian: “I’ve always played soccer as a kid. I’m always someone who, once I start something, I want to get good at it— so just trying to climb the ranks. Rocket League, out of all the games I’ve played, has the highest skill ceiling by far. It’s so much individual and so much team at the same time.”
3. How are you feeling about E-Conquest (Excited? Nervous?)? What would winning E Conquest mean to you?
Juan: “I’d definitely like to start off strong with a win. I’m trying my best to really encourage the win. The seniors call it ‘Young Blood’ — we're really determined, we got that drive.”
Brian: “I’m a little nervous because I’m a freshman, so it’s gonna be my first year doing it. UCLA is decently strong, so we definitely have our work cut out for us— we have to grind a lot the next few weeks to make sure we’re in top shape. I think they’re gonna be good matches. I think it’s gonna be a good series. Statistically they are a bit stronger, but I think we can pull it off.”