It all comes down to this.
eMLS Cup pres. by Coca-Cola, Major League Soccer’s flagship eSports competition, kicks off this Sunday live from SXSW in Austin, Texas. The top 12 players from this eMLS season will take the virtual pitch in EA Sports FIFA 22 for the trophy and a share of a $35,000 prize pool.
Nashville SC player Joksan will be competing for his first eMLS silverware after a solid showing in the regular season.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s eMLS Cup event:
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, March 13
Location: SXSW (Austin, Texas)
Time: 2 p.m. CT
Stream: MLS’ Twitch, Twitter and MLSSoccer.com
Bracket: Click Here
Tournament Format
The top 11 players after eMLS League Series One and Two are automatically qualified for eMLS Cup. Players ranked 12-27 will participate in a Last Chance Qualifier on March 12 to earn the 12th and final spot. Click here for the final standings.
The 12 participants are placed into a bracket, with the top four players earning a bye in the first round. They’ll be competing for a $35,000 prize pool. The top three eMLS Cup finishers will receive direct seats to the EA SPORTS Global Series Playoffs on the Road to the FIFAe World Cup.
Joksan earned the eighth seed in eMLS Cup and will face IMCF_Pabs (Inter Miami CF) in the first round.
Roster Rules
Every eMLS player builds their roster using the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) roster tool. They can select players from any league in the world, but each competitor must have five current MLS players on the virtual pitch at all times. Each competitor’s squad must feature their respective Club’s crest and kit when playing in all eMLS events.
This Season So Far
Joksan made a strong showing in his first eMLS competition in January, making it all the way to the League Series One semifinals before losing 5-3 to eventual champion GoalMachine (Toronto FC). In League Series Two, he fell short of the knockout rounds but earned enough points to comfortably qualify for eMLS Cup in eighth place.
“I think my preparation for the tournament hasn't changed much, but I did switch tactics and formation going into eMLS Cup” Joksan said.
Since League Series Two, Joksan has remained busy with tournament play with his team at Complexity, as well as with the Mexican eNational Team. He says that’s helped him stay fresh going into eMLS Cup.
“The official EA and FIFA tournaments with Complexity have helped me stay sharp and stay on competition mode,” Joksan said. “I think it’s really important you don’t want to go too long without competing.”
Joksan has faced his first-round opponent, IMCF_Pabs, once before in league play, drawing 1-1 in League Series Two qualifying. Overall, he says he’s ready to face the competition and play his game like only he knows how.
“I’m not going to do anything different,” Joksan said. “I’m just going to try to play my game as always and be prepared mentally for anything.”
