EDITOR'S NOTE: The inaugural eMLS Cup will take place April 5-8, 2018, live at PAX East in Boston and streamed on Twitch. Learn more
As the first eSports athlete signed by an MLS club, Chris Holly has been repping New York City FC around the globe since April, 2017.
Known by his gamertag ‘NYC_Chris’, the trailblazing Holly has seen his star rise during the past year, becoming the North American champion of the #FUTChampions league just a couple of weeks after signing with NYCFC. He then earned a spot at the FIFA Interactive Club World Cup in London.
There, he finished as the tournament runner-up in the PlayStation 4 division. As one of only two non-European players at the competition, Holly took down opposition from AS Roma, Paris Saint-Germain, Schalke, and Sporting Lisbon.
Now, Holly is gearing up for eMLS Cup alongside fellow representatives of MLS clubs. Holly has gained a lot of experience over the past year, and for the league’s first-ever eSports signing, expectations will be high.
Let’s get to know the man who will be repping the blue side of New York...
Expected the Unexpected
It’s Chris Holly’s style of play that sets him apart — opponents never know what they’re going to see.
“My style of play differs game by game,” Holly said.
“Depending on my opponent's style, I adapt my own style to try and counteract what they're doing. To me, being able to switch up what you're doing is one of the most important skills in the game.”
Soccer is all about solving problems on the field, and adapting to your opponent is just as important in EA SPORTS FIFA 18 as it is in real life. Holly is a master of adaptation, but it’s not the only secret to his game…
Don't sleep on El Guaje
Every athlete at eMLS Cup has a secret weapon in their arsenal. For Holly, that player just so happens to rep the same club.
“My most underrated player has to be David Villa,” Holly said. “Other pro players may overlook his player card based on his stats, but he can surprise with you with a banger — out of nowhere.
It’s true that while Villa is a certified legend in real life, he’s not the strongest, fastest, quickest, or tallest in FIFA 18. However, while just about every player at eMLS Cup will have Messi and Ronaldo in their squad, Holly will have El Guaje – and he knows how to use him.
He explained: “At the recent eMLS friendly against [LA Galaxy’s] Guastella, Villa really showed up for me, and scored multiple goals.”
Eat like an athlete
No matter the competition, you need to treat your body right to be at the top of your game. That starts with the most important meal of the day for Holly.
“Generally I just keep it simple,” he said. “The ordinary breakfast — eggs, toast, protein etc. — to get me feeling ready for the day. And caffeine, of course.”
Who doesn’t like a nice cup of joe to start their day? Professional eSports athletes: They’re just like us.
Know your enemy
A player who makes it to the highest levels of professional FIFA like Holly has faced a lot of competition. Sometimes, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who, but when you face off against someone who gives you fits, you tend to remember them.
“There's a lot of talent in competitive FIFA at the moment that it's hard to pick just one,” said Holly when asked about his toughest foe.
“Last year at FICWC I faced Marcuzo, who is now at Manchester City. He is definitely one of the hardest opponents I’ve ever faced - he just moves the ball so fast and so accurately.
“Other tough opponents I've played include Unilad Shellz and Ajax Dani. To beat these guys, you need to be 100% on top of your game — hitting every shot perfectly and avoiding any mistakes whatsoever at the back.”
No days off
The eSports competition calendar is jam-packed with tournaments, tune-ups, and travel. With the rising popularity of eSports as a mainstream event, particularly in the professional sports realm with FIFA leading the way, the stakes are only getting higher for players like Holly.
“To be honest, even when I’m not playing FIFA, the game is still on my – because I’m a competitor and I always want to improve my overall gameplay,” Holly said. “To relax, I play a few other games with my brother and friends.”
You can bet Holly will be putting in the work on his PlayStation4 as eMLS Cup crests the horizon. From now until April 8, it’s all business.
