Defending Major Champ Archie: "Gentle Mates fans are the best in France, so we’ll have the home crowd."
Gentle Mates made a strong statement to open up their Major title defense here in Paris. They swept FURIA and only allowed two goals from the typically explosive Brazilian offense.
Archie is typically the highest and most efficient scorer for the Mates, but was able to take a backseat in this series as Oski and Nass were able to help the defending Major Champions cruise to an easy 3-0 win.
We sat down with Archie on media day to talk to him about his feelings coming into the penultimate event of the 2026 RLCS circuit.
Last time around in France, you made it all the way to the semifinals. Now that you’re coming off the heels of a Major win, do you think you can repeat that success in this major?
Yeah I think we can win again. I think we have a high chance. We just have to make it to Sunday.
I think we have to make it to Sunday and then anything can happen on LAN days so we’ll see.
You are the single most efficient scorer in Europe this season. Do you see yourself as having a specific “scorer” role or do you not think about it and just play?
Yeah I think I had to score, but I think my teammates gave me a lot of open nets and free shots so I think that’s mainly probably why.
I think a couple of seasons ago my teammates could not defend, so I had to stay back a bit more.
Now I have more room to kind of be on a more offensive team, so we’re attacking more, so we have more shots and more chances to score.
Archie is currently averaging nearly one goal per game this season. His 0.9 goals per game clip is the highest average in Europe, and he also ranks 9th among all European players in efficiency, shooting 29.23% from the field.
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Yeah I mean, I think the Gentle Mates fans are the best in France, so I think we’ll have the home crowd.
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Archie on which French organization will have the biggest home crowd advantage here in Paris
How is your relationship off the field with the rest of your team?
Well, I think one of the main reasons we’re so good is our relationship is as strong off the pitch as it is on the pitch.
How does having Snaski behind the desks help you guys out?
Usually he doesn’t have to say much. If he does, it’s usually little things like mistakes we’re making, or he’ll look over things and show us them.
But overall, I think he’s super calm in pressure situations, so that relaxes us. I also think he understands the game better when compared to other coaches.
Snaski is one of four coaches that have won a Major as a coach, and placed in the top 4 of an RLCS Major or World Championship in their playoff career.
This is the highest placement that a Major or Worlds winning coached has ever had as a player, tied with Ferra, Allushin, and Kassio. Snaski played in the Rocket League Championship Series from season 2 to season 6.
Is there anything else you want to say before the tournament starts tomorrow?
Hopefully we win.
