Cloud9 New York 2026 CDL roster preview

Cloud9 New York: CDL 2026 Team Preview

ByMatt Brown

After a deeply disappointing 2025 season that saw them finish near the bottom of the league standings, Cloud9 New York has hit the reset button. The organization released its entire roster and coaching staff from the Black Ops 6 campaign and has built a completely new, international squad for the 2026 Call of Duty League season. This team, assembled from the crucible of the Challengers circuit, is looking to prove that hungry talent can compete with the league’s established stars.

Cloud9 New York Roster Overview

Cloud9 New York is banking on a fresh start with four players who have all competed at the CDL level but spent last season grinding in Challengers. This international lineup brings a mix of slaying power, aggression, and a collective desire to re-establish themselves in the top tier of competitive Call of Duty.

The 2026 Cloud9 New York starting roster is:

  • Main AR: Ben “Beans” McMellon
  • Flex: Makenzie “Mack” Kelley
  • SMG: Marcus “Afro” Reid
  • SMG: Reece “Vivid” Drost

Key Players to Watch

Afro: Known for his blistering pace and aggressive SMG play, Afro has the potential to be the engine of this team. He has shown flashes of superstar talent during his previous CDL stints but has struggled with consistency. After a successful run in Challengers, which included a win at the Miami Open, Afro returns to the league with a chance to prove he can be a consistent, high-impact slayer. His performance will be a major barometer for Cloud9’s success.

Mack & Vivid: This duo is not just a pair of new teammates; they are a proven commodity. Mack and Vivid spent last season dominating the Challengers scene together on the OMiT roster, winning both DreamHack Open and the Challengers Finals. Their pre-existing chemistry is a massive advantage for a newly formed team. Vivid’s relentless pressure and Mack’s versatile, intelligent playstyle could form one of the league’s most underrated partnerships.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:
The primary strength of this Cloud9 New York roster is its raw hunger and shared experience. Every player on this team has something to prove and is coming off a successful Challengers season. The established chemistry between Mack and Vivid gives them a leg up on other newly formed rosters. Furthermore, the team possesses immense slaying potential. If players like Afro and Beans can hit their stride, this squad has the firepower to overwhelm opponents.

Weaknesses:
The biggest challenge for this team will be translating Challengers dominance into CDL success. While all four players have league experience, they have yet to achieve sustained, top-tier results at this level. The team lacks a proven, veteran in-game leader who has won championships, which could be a liability in high-pressure matches against more experienced squads. Their success will depend on their ability to maintain confidence and structure when facing the league’s elite.

Season Outlook

Cloud9 New York is one of the most intriguing “prove-it” teams entering the 2026 season. They have the raw talent and slaying power to be a dangerous dark horse, but they also have a low floor if their aggressive style proves to be unstructured against top-level competition. This roster will likely be a volatile one, capable of huge upsets but also susceptible to disappointing losses.

Their season will be defined by their ability to find consistency and develop a strong in-game system. If their chemistry clicks and they can harness their aggressive tendencies, Cloud9 New York could surprise many and comfortably secure a spot at Champs. However, if they struggle to adapt to the league’s top teams, they could find themselves in a familiar battle at the bottom of the standings.

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