In a move that has reignited excitement in the North American esports scene, NRG Esports has announced its return to competitive Counter Strike with the unveiling of a new roster for CS2. The announcement, featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, was made through a video that put an end to weeks of speculation regarding the organization's plans.
During an episode of the "The Crossover" podcast, which primarily focuses on League of Legends, Miller confirmed the swirling rumors about NRG's re-entry into the competitive CS circuit. This strategic move positions NRG to compete within the North American region, where it once held significant clout.
A Veteran-Led Roster
The newly assembled team is spearheaded by the seasoned player Damian Steele, better known as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is not new to the high stakes of competitive CS, carrying a storied career with various achievements. His most recent roles include serving as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps' history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, before he left just prior to the sale of the team's former CS:GO roster.
Rejoining him is Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who transitions back to NRG from Evil Geniuses. Having previously played alongside Daps at NRG, the 25-year-old Brehze returns after a four-year tenure and a particularly challenging 2023 season with his former team.
Josh Ohm, widely recognized as oSee, also finds a new home with NRG following his benching from Team Liquid earlier in the month. Liquid's decision to scale down their CS2 team to a mere two players left oSee seeking new opportunities, which materialized with NRG.
Jadan Postma, or HexT, fortifies the lineup further, joining the ranks post his departure from Evil Geniuses on November 28. His 18-month stint with the organization culminated in a transition that bolsters NRG's roster with fresh talent.
Completing the team is Justin Coakley, known in gaming circles as FaNg. He joins NRG following several months on the bench after Complexity Gaming reshuffled its team to accommodate Jonathan Jablonowski. FaNg's move comes as a strategic step to find active play within a competitive team.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports quickly became a household name in the North American esports community. The organization's initial roster acquisition included the former Method squad, featuring Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, which laid the foundation for its growth and popularity.
The years 2018 to 2019 marked a golden era for NRG's CS:GO team, as it showcased a star-studded lineup including Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. Under the guidance of coaches like Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team solidified its status as one of the top contenders in the region.
This period saw NRG achieve remarkable feats, such as securing a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their transition to the banner of Evil Geniuses, the team continued its winning streak with triumphs at events like the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, NRG's presence in the CS landscape took a hiatus in September 2019 when it sold its then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This sale marked a significant shift in the organization's focus, leading to a temporary withdrawal from the competitive CS sphere.
The landscape of North American CS has been undergoing considerable changes, with Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and persistent rumors suggesting a potential exit of Evil Geniuses from esports. Amidst this backdrop, NRG's re-entry could not be more timely, leaving only a handful of major organizations in the NA region.
With this bold move, NRG Esports looks set to reclaim its former glory and reshape the competitive Counter Strike environment in North America. Fans and competitors alike will undoubtedly watch closely as this veteran-led roster embarks on a new chapter of what promises to be an electrifying journey in