In a compelling turn of events, NRG Esports has made a grand re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the unveiling of its new North American roster for CS2. The announcement came through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, putting an end to the swirling speculations about the organization's return to the CS arena.
Andy Miller had initially stoked these rumors during an episode of the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast, where he affirmed NRG's plans to compete in the North American region. This strategic move marks a significant moment for the organization which is looking to reclaim its position within the esports landscape.
A Veteran Leader
At the forefront of the newly assembled team stands Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30, Daps is no stranger to the pressures and demands of high-level competitive play. His extensive experience includes a history of impressive achievements and a recent coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps' previous tenure with NRG spanned from 2018 to 2019, and his return comes after he left just before the organization sold its former CS:GO roster.
Formidable Teammates
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who transitions back to NRG after a four-year period with Evil Geniuses. Brehze, at 25 years old, reunites with Daps, reigniting a partnership that was once part of NRG's lineup before their transfer. Despite a lackluster 2023 with Evil Geniuses, Brehze's return to NRG is seen as a homecoming that could revitalize his career.
Josh Ohm, better known as oSee, also makes his way to NRG following a benching from Liquid amid a major restructuring of their CS2 team. With Liquid downsizing to just two players, oSee sought out new opportunities, landing him a spot on the NRG roster.
Jadan Postma, or HexT, is another noteworthy addition to the team. His departure from Evil Geniuses on November 28 marked the end of an 18-month tenure with the organization, paving the way for his new journey with NRG.
Rounding out the roster is Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, who found himself benched after Complexity Gaming reshuffled their lineup to include Jonathan Jablonowski. FaNg's move to NRG follows this reshuffle, offering him a fresh start in the competitive circuit.
NRG's Competitive Legacy
NRG Esports carved its initial path in the esports industry by fielding a CS:GO team shortly after its founding in late 2015. The original squad comprised notable names such as Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This lineup laid the foundation for the organization's growth and popularity in the early days.
The peak of NRG's success in CS:GO came between 2018 and 2019, with a star-studded lineup that included talents like 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 cemented itself as a powerhouse in the region. A testament to their prowess was a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their acquisition by Evil Geniuses, the team continued its winning streak with triumphs at the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, NRG's departure from the competitive CS scene in September 2019 was a notable event, as they sold their then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The landscape of North American Counter-Strike has undergone considerable changes since NRG's exit. Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left only a handful of major organizations in the region. NRG's return is not just a revival of their own competitive spirit but also a boost to the NA CS ecosystem that has been longing for stability and growth.
With this new roster, NRG Esports looks poised to recreate some of the magic that once made them a dominant force in the Counter-Strike world.