Ultra hand FaZe first loss at CDL Stage 4 Major qualifying

The Toronto Ultra handed the Atlanta FaZe their first loss in the Call of Duty League's Stage 4 Major on Friday, opening Week 4 -- the final week of qualifying -- with a 3-2 win in a matchup of the top two teams in the standings.

With teams playing seven qualifying games, the Ultra and FaZe sit tied for first at 5-1, one game ahead of the 4-2 Miami Heretics and New York Subliners. Miami beat the Seattle Surge 3-2 in Friday's first game. The Los Angeles Thieves beat the Vegas Legion 3-1 in the day's third and final match.

All 12 teams taking part in qualifying will make the Major 4 bracket, which begins Thursday in Burbank, Calif., and runs through June 30. Seeding will be determined by the qualifying matches, which conclude Sunday.

The tournament will have a double-elimination format, with all matches best-of-five until the grand final, which is best-of-seven. The winner will get 100 CDL points and $150,000 of the $375,000 prize pool, while the runner-up will come away with 75 CDL points and $90,000.

The Ultra opened their match against the FaZe with a 250-201 win on Vista Hardpoint before the FaZe rebounded with a 6-5 win on Karachi Search & Destroy. After the Ultra won 3-2 on Highrise Control, the FaZe continued the alternating wins with a 250-156 thumping on Sub Base Hardpoint. The Ultra put the game away, however, with a 6-4 win on 6 Star Search & Destroy.

The Heretics and Surge followed suit, alternating wins throughout. Miami won 250-155 on Rio Hardpoint, and Seattle responded with a 6-4 win on Invasion Search & Destroy. The Heretics won 3-2 on Karachi Control to regain the lead, and the Surge again answered with a 250-246 win on Vista Hardpoint. The final battle was a one-sided one with the Heretics winning 6-2 on Karachi Search & Destroy.

The Thieves, on the other hand, ended with a flurry, dropping Karachi Hardpoint 250-135 to open its matchup with the Legion before winning three straight -- 6-3 on Karachi Search & Destroy, 3-0 on Invasion Control and 250-45 on 6 Star Hardpoint.

The FaZe get the first shot at finishing qualifying play 6-1 when they face the Heretics in the first of Saturday's four matches.

Saturday's full schedule:

--Atlanta FaZe vs. Miami Heretics

--Los Angeles Guerrillas vs. Seattle Surge

--OpTic Texas vs. Boston Breach

--Vegas Legion vs. Minnesota Rokkr

Stage 4 Major qualifying standings (point total, match record, game win-loss differential):

T1. Toronto Ultra, 50 points, 5-1, plus-9

T1. Atlanta FaZe, 50 points, 5-1, plus-9

3. Miami Heretics, 40 points, 4-2, plus-3

4. New York Subliners, 40 points, 4-2, plus-1

5. Seattle Surge, 30 points, 3-3, plus-3

6. Los Angeles Thieves, 30 points, 3-3, plus-1

7. Los Angeles Guerrillas, 30 points, 3-3, even

8. Vegas Legion, 30 points, 3-3, minus-3

9. Carolina Royal Ravens, 20 points, 2-4, minus-3

10. Minnesota Rokkr, 20 points, 2-4, minus-6

11. OpTic Texas, 10 points, 1-4, minus-1

12. Boston Breach, 0 points, 0-5, minus-13

--Field Level Media