FaZe use sweep to get into semis at Esports World Cup's CoD MWIII event

The Atlanta FaZe blew by the Boston Breach for a 3-0 victory on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Call of Duty Modern Warfare III event at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Atlanta prevailed 250-209 on Rio Hardpoint before taking Invasion Search & Destroy 6-3 and Invasion Control 3-1. The FaZe are headed to the semifinals to face OpTic Gaming, who beat Cloud9 3-1.

The $1.8 million tournament began with 16 teams divided into four groups for double-elimination action involving best-of-five matches. The top two teams in each group advanced to the single-elimination playoffs, which features best-of-five matches until the best-of-seven grand final on Sunday.

The winning side will earn $600,000 and 1,000 Esports World Cup club points. The runner-up will receive $320,000 and 600 points.

After falling on 6 Star twice -- losing 250-149 in Hardpoint and 6-1 on Search & Destroy -- Cloud9 stayed alive with a 3-0 shutout on Karachi Control. However, OpTic answered with a 250-239 victory on Rio Hardpoint to move on to the semifinals.

In Saturday's other quarterfinal matches, 100 Thieves and the Vancouver Surge both beat their respective opponents 3-2.

100 Thieves fell behind 2-1 in their match with the Toronto Ultra, but they rallied to win 250-201 on Sub Base Hardpoint and 6-4 on Karachi Search & Destroy.

Vancouver was also down 2-1, but it then topped the Carolina Royals Ravens on Rio Hardpoint (250-113) and Invasion Search & Destroy (6-2) to complete the comeback.

The tournament concludes Sunday with the semifinals and the grand final:

--OpTic Gaming vs. Atlanta FaZe (semifinals)

--100 Thieves vs. Vancouver Surge (semifinals)

--Winner of OpTic Gaming/Atlanta FaZe vs. winner of 100 Thieves/Vancouver Surge (grand final)

Call of Duty Modern Warfare III event at the Esports World Cup prize pool, with money and Esports World Cup club points

1. $600,000, 1,000 points

2. $320,000, 600 points

3-4. $160,000, 275 points

5-8. $80,000, 60 points -- Cloud9, Boston Breach, Toronto Ultra, Carolina Royal Ravens

9-12. $40,000, no points -- Las Vegas Legion, Gentle Mates, Stallions, Lore Gaming

13-16. $20,000, no points -- OMiT Brooklyn, G2 Esports, Team Heretics, Team Falcons

--Field Level Media