Although the 2012 year was the start of the official “Year of the Dragon”, according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar, and we are well into the “Year of the Snake,” it seems that San Diego Dynasty got the memo twelve months too late. The 2012 season was abysmal by all standards for the legendary team, which prompted major offseason changes in both the roster and staff. Now with a new coach, Rusty Glaze, and added firepower in Blake Yarber, Kyle Spicka, and Tyler Harmon the team is off to an incredible start, winning the first event of the PSP season.

The 2013 PSP Dallas event may go down as one of the most legendary performances in Dynasty’s history, not due to their dominance, but in the style they played at the adversity they faced. A popular mantra in sports is that, sometimes, “It’s better to be lucky than good” and not once, but twice, was San Diego able to bottle lightning. In the semi-final game against Los Angeles Infamous the team was able to overcome the deficit, winning (5-4) with literally zero time remaining on the lock. Again, nothing new for Dynasty, but it was the manner in which this was accomplished that will go down in history. Infamous did not establish a lead then lay over, but instead Dynasty willed their way to victory on the back of several players, such as the electric Tyler Harmon, and clawed their way out of the hole. Going into the final point you could feel the emotion and passion, radiating off of the boys in blue. Everybody watching, from home or in the stands, could feel the electricity in the air with the knowledge that, while unlikely, Dynasty could once again prove that they are still capable of creating magic.

Los Angeles Infamous vs. San Diego Dynasty – 2013 PSP Dallas Open Semi-Finals

Normally, after a game like this, you would expect a team to be physically and emotionally beaten. Tournaments are a marathon, not a sprint, and expelling that much energy into one match can easily be the climax for the weekend; whereas you hope to peak during the middle of the finals. To ask Dynasty to summit the mountain one last time, against the best team in the tournament – Tampa Bay Damage – was a very tall order.

The final score of their match against Damage was 5-2, however the points really do not indicate just how close this match was. Only a fool would say that Damage got thrashed, or that Dynasty dominated. Instead, this match was – again – a battle of the wills between two of the best teams in paintball, and at this meeting, Dynasty was able to get a foothold and hold their edge. We could talk all day about how key players let Damage down on both sides of the field, but you really have to give it to San Diego as they were able to consistently eliminate players off the break, and not get blown over by the sheer force that is Tampa Bay Damage. This match was a “tempest in a teapot” that tested the paintball ability of both teams, but also the mental tenacity and physical prowess. In another article we equated the 2012 San Diego squad as a flailing Tiger Woods, and now we can easily say that Dynasty displayed such incredible focus over a two game stretch that even they could sink a 20 foot putt on hole 18 of Augusta National.

You may assert that this article doesn’t really cover anything worth reading, but I just can’t get over how incredible of a performance Dynasty displayed. If you do not do anything else this week, watch the replay below (yes, they’re already up) of the finals. Dynasty is back, and the rest of the PSP needs to watch out – if they can continue to display this alchemy they could be heading for another banner year.

So, will 2013 be the Year of the Dragon? Stay tuned.

San Diego Dynasty vs. Tampa Bay Damage – 2013 PSP Dallas Open Finals