The devs might want to look at the matchmaker as well.
New or returning players are likely to just quit once they start playing and get onsided match after onesided match. Once you get the new and returning players leaving due to this harsh treatment and the playerbase is no longer growing, it has no choice but to shrink and continue to shrink.
The hard core elite players doing the trashing of new players might object, say that new and returning players need to toughen up and get good but ... well you can keep that stance and stand tall at the top of your empty servers.
Just a suggestion from a returning player.