Team Liquid parts ways with Ace: Offlane swap rocks Dota 2 scene, ATF from Falcons rumored as replacement

core_answer: Team Liquid officially parts ways with offlaner Ace after winning BLAST Slam VI and 1win Series Essence II but finishing 5th-6th at TI 2026 in Shanghai, where they lost 0-2 to eventual champions Team Spirit. ATF (Jordanian, ex-Falcons) is rumored as replacement. Liquid is TI 2024 winner. The move is a like-for-like offlane swap with both players as free agents; Liquid has not officially confirmed the ATF signing.
key_facts: Ace departed Liquid after one year (Oct 2025-post TI 2026) as a free agent; ATF rumored as replacement; joined from disbanded Team Falcons roster; Liquid finished 5th-6th at TI 2026, losing 0-2 to Team Spirit in lower bracket quarterfinals; Liquid won BLAST Slam VI and 1win Series Essence II (sweeping Falcons in final); Team Falcons fully disbanded after season, releasing concentrated MENA talent bloc into market
source: Cyberscore report + KheZu interview | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn
related_qa: q: Why did Team Liquid replace Ace despite winning trophies?, a: Liquid's 'strong all year, short at TI' pattern (5th-6th finish after two titles) prompted a like-for-like offlane refresh, seeking a different tempo or initiation profile.; q: What makes ATF a significant signing if confirmed?, a: ATF is an elite young MENA offlaner joining without his Falcons core, requiring full system adaptation - his 'six months to one year' comment suggests deliberate fresh-environment intent.; q: Is this roster change high-risk?, a: Medium risk: same-role swap is contained but integration uncertainty exists; the TI 2026 exit origin (offlane vs. draft/macro) is unconfirmed as the true limiting factor.