Gimmick returns to compete in the NA LCQ with Squishy and GarrettG

Former RLCS professional Jesus "gimmick" Parra will feature in his first Rocket League qualifier since the conclusion of RLCS 2024 Split 1. The Cloud9 legend, who won the Season 6 World Championship, will revive his partnership with Mariano "SquishyMuffinz" Arruda, his first and last teammate in the RLCS. Garrett "GarrettG" Gordon completes the lineup, having competed in several Regional Opens with Squishy since RLCS 2025, alongside former FaZe Clan star Austin "AYYJAYY" Aebi. The trio will stream their run in the North American Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), where they could face the likes of FUT Esports, Gen.G, and Dignitas.

The North American LCQ offers players an opportunity to reach the World Championship, and for many, represents the final RLCS event of the season. It's not uncommon for retired professionals, especially those who have turned to streaming, to participate in the early stages of qualifiers as a chance to build content or to have fun. Already, we’ve seen the Season 2 World Champion David "Deevo" Morrow sign up for his first RLCS qualifier since 2023 with former FC Barcelona teammate Aldin "Ronaky" Hodzic, whose last main event came in 2021. While Dylan "eekso" Pickering and George "Breezi" Rusiecki, who both turned to coaching in the last year, have also signed up with English prospect Joshua "vorce" McGrath, a player that recently achieved a top-six finish in Open #4. While these ex-professionals may be unable to contend with the current generation of top players, the qualifier will have a big audience where anything could happen.

GarrettG and Squishy have been two of these ex-professionals to compete on a content basis since retiring. The duo linked up together at the start of RLCS 2025, having both retired from professional play in 2024. Forming a team called G.A.S alongside fellow retiree AYYJAYY, they competed in every Regional Open in RLCS 2025 and the first Split of 2026, streaming every step of the way. During Split 2, Squishy had the opportunity to play with Nicholas “Jynxzi” Stewart after the popular American streamer became interested in the game. Now the duo have returned for the final RLCS qualifier of the season, bringing onboard Squishy’s former Cloud9 teammate gimmick, who had been out of the scene since 2024.

Gimmick’s impact on the RLCS cannot be understated. Across a career that lasted seven years, he made significant contributions to four organizations: Cloud9, Version1, Oxygen Esports, and Team AXLE, reaching four World Championships and winning five LANs in the process. At his zenith, the 25-year-old played a significant role in the downfall of the Dignitas dynasty, helping propel Cloud9 to the RLCS Season 6 World Championship title. By RLCS 2024, gimmick’s opportunities were diminishing, but he seized a chance to play with Squishy again during the Canadian’s last dance under the team name The Muffin Men, the same name the duo had won Dreamhack Atlanta with in 2017. This would also be gimmick’s last rodeo in the RLCS. While he intended to continue competing after RLCS 2024, gimmick never returned to the circuit. The NA LCQ, beginning on July 03, will be the first time gimmick has featured in an RLCS qualifier since March 2024.