A week into the new stage, things are looking bright for the league. From fresh map choices and team compositions to improved observing and casting, there's plenty of reasons to keep watching the Overwatch League. Here's a preview of Stage 2, Week 2 in this edition of the Owl's Eye.

The new meta is a sight for sore spectators' eyes, and a relief for players. The distinct downturn in Mercy play allows teams more flexibility in team compositions, and lets spectators, observers, and casters worry far less about whether an elimination will matter or not.

The new map pool also seems to be a hit, eschewing maps like Horizon Lunar Colony, Oasis, and Junkertown for old classics like Volskaya Industries, Lijang Tower, and King's Row. These more well-understood maps offer more room for players and teams to shine and execute higher-tier teamplay and strategies.

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For this second week into Stage 2, the best matches lie in wait toward the end of the week, with less bouts pitting higher tier teams against each other.

Matches of the Week

Houston Outlaws @ Philadelphia Fusion

Fusion The Fusion make their first Overwatch League appearance. Image Credit: Blizzard

The now-dominant Houston Outlaws will face the new hotshot Philadelphia Fusion in the second match of day 2, allowing the fresh prince Eqo to test his skill against a top tier team in the Outlaws. Their last bout was all the way back in Stage 1 Week 1, where the Fusion took a win after five hard-fought maps. Since then, the Outlaws have gone all out, and until Week 1 of Stage 2, the Fusion had failed to heat up. Thursday's match is sure to be exciting.

Philadelphia Fusion @ London Spitfire

Profit is all smiles after winning a match. Image Credit: Blizzard

To open Friday, the Philadelphia Fusion will continue their trial by fire against the London Spitfire. Based on how they do against the Outlaws, this has a chance of being a snoozer, but from where we sit, this might be one to put in the books. A better meta for the Fusion should help them put up a strong fight versus the stage-winning Spitfire's team coordination.

Houston Outlaws @ New York Excelsior

Big Boss Pine works his magic. Image Credit: Blizzard

The highest profile match of the week, to be sure, both as a spot check and by average team standing. The Houston Outlaws missed their chance to play the New York Excelsior in the Stage 1 playoffs, and are sure to be excited at the opportunity to show they've got what it takes to knock the #2 Excelsior off their perch. If Ark continues to be out of the picture for the Excelsior, the Outlaws might just find themselves at an advantage, assuming they're playing at full capacity.

Wednesday, February 28th

16:00 PST / 1:00 CET /9:00 KST - Seoul Dynasty vs Dallas Fuel - Hanamura, Nepal, Hollywood, Route 66
18:00 PST / 3:00 CET /11:00 KST - Los Angeles Valiant vs San Francisco Shock - Volskaya Industries, Lijang Tower, King's Row, Watchpoint: Gibraltar
20:00 PST / 5:00 CET /13:00 KST - Los Angeles Gladiators vs Shanghai Dragons - Volskaya Industries, Nepal, King's Row, Route 66

Thursday, March 1st

16:00 PST / 1:00 CET /9:00 KST - Florida Mayhem vs London Spitfire - Volskaya Industries, Lijang Tower, King's Row, Route 66
18:00 PST / 3:00 CET /11:00 KST - Houston Outlaws vs Philadelphia Fusion - Volskaya Industries, Nepal, Hollywood, Route 66
20:00 PST / 5:00 CET /13:00 KST - New York Excelsior vs Boston Uprising - Hanamura, Nepal, King's Row, Watchpoint: Gibraltar

Friday, , March 2nd

16:00 PST / 1:00 CET /9:00 KST - Boston Uprising vs Florida Mayhem - Volskaya Industries, Lijang Tower, Hollywood, Route 66
18:00 PST / 3:00 CET /11:00 KST - Los Angeles Gladiators vs Seoul Dynasty - Hanamura, Nepal, Hollywood, Watchpoint: Gibraltar
20:00 PST / 5:00 CET /13:00 KST - Dallas Fuel vs Los Angeles Valiant - Hanamura, Nepal, Hollywood, Watchpoint: Gibraltar

Saturday, March 3rd

13:00 PST / 10:00 CET /18:00 KST - Philadelphia Fusion vs London Spitfire - Hanamura, Nepal, Hollywood, Route 66
15:00 PST / 24:00 CET /8:00 KST - Houston Outlaws vs New York Excelsior - Volskaya Industries, Lijang Tower, King's Row, Route 66
17:00 PST / 2:00 CET /10:00 KST - Shanghai Dragons vs San Francisco Shock - Hanamura, Nepal, King's Row, Watchpoint: Gibraltar

Eligible Rosters

With multiple rosters containing underage or suspended players (or those who have not moved to North America yet), the eligible players for each team this week are listed below for your convenience: