“The climate and the culture of our team is the most important thing,” fRoD details what drives LOUD’s success

Daniel "fRoD" Montaner is no stranger to success. He has had a decades long FPS career and now finds himself as the coach of VCT Americas' only undefeated team. His time with LOUD has echoed the teams final leg of 2022 and if they continue on this path, another championship may very well be in the cards.

The team's latest victory to keep up their perfect record was against 100 Thieves during Week 6. Following that win, esports.gg was given the opportunity to speak with fRoD. He emphasized the team's desire to win, the culture they've built, and more.

"LOUD has only lost on Ascent once in the last year. That was to FNATIC at LOCK//IN. On the contrary, 100 Thieves hasn't won on the map since August. Were you surprised they let it through for your map pick?"

fRoD: "Not necessarily. They perma-ban Pearl, so for us, we had an idea of what the maps were going to be. Considering Pearl's a map that we really enjoy to play, it was only natural for us to pick one of the other couple maps that we definitely enjoy playing, which pretty much is all of them.

"We knew that they perma-ban Pearl and it was just a situation where we figured that's (Ascent) a strong map for us, just like a couple other ones. And it's just something that we talked a lot about the week leading up to, or a couple days prior to the game. So, we had a really good idea of what the maps were going to be and our plan going into the game."

"This match against 100 Thieves was only the third time in VCT Americas where LOUD won the first map. And of course, this is the first time doing so in a handful of weeks. How was the comfort level of the team going into map two with the lead compared to the matches where they had to catch up?"

fRoD: "It was kind of the same, to be honest. We play the series out regardless. I mean, even against FNATIC at LOCK//IN, we were down 0:2. Obviously, we're better playing ahead with the lead, but we also know that we are capable of coming back if we're down one map at the beginning, or two maps, whatever the case may be.

"It's been a really big focus of ours to make sure that we come in with the right energy, the right mentality. Not saying that we haven't the other days, it's just putting an emphasis on it to make sure that we're together as a team, making sure that we're on the same page, coming in with that energy, making sure our warmup is good, everything like that.

"So, to be honest, it's something that we do have to make sure we continue discussing as a team, because playing with an advantage of 1:0 is always better, but at the same time, we understand that sometimes things aren't in our control. We would love to be up 1:0 every time,, but you know, if we're down 0:1, we, we kind of maintain the same mentality. We just light a fire under our butts sometimes, because we can't lose, you know? So, it is what it is."

"Things went quickly on Ascent, but Split was a different story. Still, LOUD managed to take it in overtime. What seemed like a pretty pivotal timeout was called before the final round. Are you able to divulge what kind of conversation was had that ensured your players pulled out the victory?"

fRoD: "It was just a couple things that I was seeing on how we were playing our defense. I just wanted to make sure that we corrected those mistakes because ultimately, the other team is very strong and they have a really unique play style. I felt like we were being a little too obvious in our setup. I think the plan was to just be a little bit more disciplined.

"Without getting too much into detail, just kind of let them do what they do and set up traps rather than try and take too much space or anything like that. When a team plays slow and against the clock, the clock's in our favor, not in theirs. That was very important. To just be mindful of the timer on the round."

"This series become just the second two-map series for LOUD. Is there any concern for the team's stamina with playoffs coming up? Or are they just happy to have the extra experience?"

fRoD: "We played the most maps out of any team coming into this tournament just because of LOCK//IN, right? We played even more maps than FNATIC, because we 2:1'd a lot of teams while they were 2:0'ing everyone. So, we understand that we've played a ton of maps, probably more than any other VCT team so far.

"So, it's not a problem. We just have to make sure that we're constantly evolving. We know that teams have a very good and large staff watching every game that we have. We've just got to continue to try and adapt, innovate, and all that.

"Ultimately, we understand the position that we're in. We understand that we're one of the most watched teams right now, especially because we have so many maps out. So, yeah, we've just got to make sure that we're aware of some of these things going into the maps and going into the matches."

"Continuing with the topic of experience, you started the year with three world champions and two players that had some big shoes to fill. What's it been like coaching players with such a mix of experiences in VALORANT?"

fRoD: "For me, coaching a team with so much or so little experience, depending on what player you're talking about, is great. I've played FPS for over 20 years and had a successful Counter-Strike career. I understand the position of being a returning champion, and I also understand the position of being a rookie.

"I take a lot of pride in working with each individual player quite a bit to sharpen the tools in their game. Even if it's with the core that was the champs, or if it's the new guys, I spend a lot of time making sure that everyone's evolving, learning how to play their position and their role a little bit better.

"Obviously, the two rookies, we had to spend a lot more time. Especially with tuyz, since he was a Duelist and he changed over to the Controller role. A lot of new agents, a lot of new situations for him. I would say that we probably spend an equal amount of time with everyone, but primarily a lot more with tuyz simply because of the role changes. I'm just very happy to be part of such a great team with so much experience, so much passion, and the will to win."

"How far would you say tuyz and cauanzin have come since the formation of this version of LOUD?"

fRoD: "I think the results kind of speak for themselves. When you look at someone like cauanzin and tuyz, they're stepping up, they're playing amazing individually, they're playing very well. Even when it comes to team objectives, their ability usage, everything is fantastic. I'm just very proud of the guys in how they've evolved.

"Two rookies joining a world championship team, there's a lot of pressure that could potentially be placed on them, but we make sure that we speak to them a lot, treat them just as if they're veterans on the team. And ultimately, I think that the family environment and culture that we have on the team is what allows these guys to shine.

"Because you can never win every map. You can't always 2:0 or whatever a team. Sometimes we'll lose. I think it's the way that we respond that is what's helping us a lot. And these rookies, they're showing that they're not rookies. Even though we're a new team, even though that we've made some roster changes in the past, I think the evolution of these guys is amazing. They understand the pressure that's been placed on them. And I think that they're performing way beyond expectations."

"And for you, you mentioned it already. You've been playing and coaching for a long time. How does this team compare to those of your past? Whether its talent, coachability, cohesion, or even just making your job easier?"

fRoD: "Yeah, I think it's a mix. I would say these guys are probably much more individually skilled than any team I've ever played for, just because these guys are individually so amazing. I think the thing that I could draw the biggest comparison to the teams that I won Majors and championships with is our culture.

"We, as a team, have a different way of communicating with each other. We're very open and honest with each other. We don't let things bottle up. We have constant communication with each other. We pretty much live together all the time. So I think that the biggest similarity is how much of a unit we are as a team. For good or for bad. The climate and the culture of our team is the most important thing.

"Because like I said, you can't win every game. It's almost impossible. So for us, we want to make sure that we have the right culture and climate simply because you never know the outcome of a game. That's just the most important thing. And that's probably the thing I could draw similarities to the most.

"Not only our passion and our desire to win, but also the way that we correct a lot of mistakes in practice, correct mistakes if we lose. If we win, we're always watching and we have a different kind of mentality. And I'm very proud of that because that's something that I realized early on. It's something that has allowed me to help this team out a lot more. Knowing that everyone's on the same page. I'm just really happy with that."

"Lastly, with this win, the team's record remains perfect. Of course the main goal is Masters Tokyo and then Champions. But at this point, is staying undefeated in VCT Americas on the agenda? Maybe like a side quest of sorts?"

fRoD: "Yeah, I mean, to be honest, we want to win every game. Whether we've clinched playoffs, whether we've clinched a specific seed or not, we're here to represent a brand, represent a community, a whole country of Brazil, and more.

"We want to provide them victories and we want to win every single game that we compete in. That's something that I admire so much from every single player on this team. Regardless if it's a match, if we're already clinched, if it's practice, I think our guys take this game very seriously.

"It's their livelihood, it's their passion. They understand that creating a culture of winning is something that's contagious and also something that can carry on and help us when we're down, help us when we lose. I'm just really, really happy about all of that and the way that the guys are taking pride in leading the pack.

"Even if we were to suffer some losses or a loss, I think that this team, we have the right mentality. Regardless of the outcome, we're trying to put our best foot forward no matter what. We're trying hard, we're practicing hard. We're here to represent our families and our country."

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