I Spoke to MSL about His Career, Coaching, and More
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mathias “MSL” Lauridsen, the former player for Dignitas and current member of North. We discussed his career, coaching, the Danish scene, and the upcoming ELEAGUE Major. Read on to find out more!
Starting Out in CS:GO
I asked MSL about his early days in CS:GO and his experience playing with the Anexis team. He mentioned that he played a key role as the second caller, providing input and information to the in-game leader, gla1ve. MSL also served as the lurker, gathering information about the opponents’ movements. He spoke highly of gla1ve’s leadership abilities and their successful partnership.
Moving on to his transition to becoming an in-game leader, MSL explained that he had always wanted to take control and make strategic decisions. He had experience calling in previous teams but had never done it at a top level. When he joined Dignitas, he had to adapt to a team that already had a strong core. After making some roster changes, MSL was able to implement his own style and see the team’s success grow.
Player Changes and Career Progression
I asked MSL about the player changes that have occurred throughout his career. He emphasized the importance of sticking together as a team and working through challenges rather than making quick fixes by changing players. MSL mentioned that kicking Nico was a mistake, but overall, he believes that the changes made were necessary for the team’s progress.
I also asked MSL about the decline of Nico, a former teammate. MSL attributed Nico’s downfall to his inability to play outside of team practice and his lack of development due to not playing enough. However, MSL praised Nico’s skill and mindset as a teammate, stating that if he had played more, he could have been one of the best AWPers in the world.
The Role of In-Game Leaders and Valve’s Coaching Rule
When discussing the skill level of in-game leaders, MSL believes that it is now expected for them to have a higher level of skill compared to in the past. He mentioned that if an in-game leader is also fragging like the rest of the team, someone else will have to take on a worse role and frag less. However, MSL acknowledged that he needs to step up and play better individually.
In regards to Valve’s coaching rule, MSL agrees with it and believes that having a coach is beneficial for preparation, fixing mistakes, and providing a helping hand. However, he also thinks that having a coach call behind the team during matches would add randomness to the game, which he believes is not needed.
Success, Majors, and Map Preferences
MSL expressed his desire to succeed at the Majors and make it to the playoffs, something he has yet to achieve. He believes that his team, North, has the potential to do well with their top-five ranking and the right preparation and mindset.
We discussed map preferences, with MSL expressing his dislike for Cache and Cobblestone. He finds Cache to be a random map that relies too much on firepower, while Cobblestone is difficult for defenders due to the lack of possibilities. MSL mentioned that he prefers maps that are more tactical and teamplay-focused, such as Nuke.
Future Goals and Thoughts on the Scene
Looking ahead to the ELEAGUE Major, MSL believes that Astralis, OpTic, and Na`Vi will be strong contenders. While a semifinal appearance would be a good achievement, MSL’s ultimate goal is to win. He stressed the importance of taking it one match at a time and playing their best.
When asked about his ranking as an in-game leader, MSL mentioned that it is difficult to rate leaders from the outside. However, he considers himself a top-three in-game leader alongside FalleN and gla1ve.
MSL shared some insights into the team’s improvement under the North organization, highlighting the professionalism and structure that allows them to focus solely on the game. He also mentioned their bootcamp facility in Denmark and the support they receive in terms of medical and sport psychological care.
In conclusion, MSL believes that the current CS:GO scene offers great opportunities for success, but also recognizes the tough competition. With the right preparation, he believes that teams can achieve more consistent and beautiful CS.
Follow MSL on Twitter.
Photo credits here.