Just days out from the start of Stage 4 in the 2021 Call of Duty League, the Los Angeles Thieves have announced that its newest member, Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland, has been moved to the bench.
Despite having only just signed with the LA Thieves on May 4, Huke has been moved to the bench ahead of Stage 4’s opening week.
This shakeup comes just five weeks after Huke was suddenly benched by 2020 champions Dallas Empire.
The LA franchise confirmed its revamped starting lineup in a May 25 announcement, pushing Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly back into the mix.
Our #LAThieves starting roster going into Stage 4 will be:@Kuavo@Drazah_@Vxnxm@TJHaLy Huke will be moved to sub for this week. pic.twitter.com/LDB46y4xRi
— LA Thieves (@LAThieves) May 25, 2021
With rumors swirling as to why LA Thieves went in this direction, Huke soon took to Twitter and elaborated on his position.
“I’m okay everyone,” he said, putting to rest any notion of personal issues. “Apparently there is something wrong with being happy nowadays.
“On a real note, excited to be in an environment where I’m respected and can let my passion loose again. I’ll be making a YouTube video soon explaining some things because it’s getting out of hand.”
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im okay everyone! apparently there is something wrong with being happy nowadays lol. On a real note excited to be in an environment where im respected and can let my passion let loose again. Ill be making a youtube video soon explaining some things because its getting out of hand
— Huke (@Huke) May 25, 2021
“We haven’t been seeing the same level of consistency as a team,” head coach Jordan ‘JKap’ Kaplan added shortly after news broke. “With Stage 4 starting, we decided to make the tough call and bring Teej back and improve upon where we last left off with him.”
Huke’s first game under Thieves banners came against the New York Subliners in the final week of Stage 3. Following that 1-3 defeat, the 21-year-old went on to play another three matches in the starting lineup, all of which came during the Stage 3 Major.
Ending with a total map count of six wins and nine losses, Huke had just a few hours of official game-time to mesh with his new teammates.
We haven’t been seeing the same level of consistency as a team and, with Stage 4 starting, we decided to make the tough call to bring Teej back and improve upon where we last left off with him. https://t.co/0SIqj9cDTF
— Jordan Kaplan (@JKap415) May 25, 2021
With TJHaLy now back in the starting lineup, Thieves will be hoping to improve on their consistent Top 6 placement as the next Stage rolls on.
Their first game pits them against Seattle Surge early into the Chicago Home Series.
