In a remarkable turn of events, NRG Esports has signaled a triumphant return to the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the introduction of its new roster for CS2. This announcement was made public through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, confirming speculation that had been circulating earlier in the month.
Andy Miller initially stoked the rumor mills during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover," where he hinted at NRG's plans. The organization is now poised to make its presence felt in the North American region once again.
A Veteran Returns
The newly assembled team will be under the leadership of seasoned CS player Damian Steele, known in gaming circles as Daps. At 30, Daps is no stranger to the ebb and flow of competitive gaming, having accrued a series of achievements including a coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG spans back to 2018-2019, prior to his departure just before NRG sold its former CS:GO roster.
Formidable Teammates
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, or Brehze, who transitions from Evil Geniuses. Brehze, 25, previously played alongside Daps in NRG and has spent the last four years with Evil Geniuses. His return to NRG follows what can only be described as a lackluster 2023 season for Evil Geniuses.
Josh Ohm, better known as oSee, has also found a new home with NRG after being benched from Liquid amid a major overhaul that saw the team reduce its CS2 roster to a mere two players. oSee's transfer is indicative of the shifting dynamics within the competitive CS landscape.
Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, adds further strength to the lineup following his exit from Evil Geniuses on November 28, after an impressive 18-month tenure with the organization.
Rounding out the roster is Justin Coakley, known to fans as FaNg. He comes off a period of being benched after Complexity Gaming reshuffled their team, adding Jonathan Jablonowski to their ranks. FaNg's move to NRG is seen as a strategic play to bolster the team's competitive edge.
NRG's Legacy in CS
NRG Esports has been a household name in North American esports since its inception in late 2015. The organization made its initial foray into the competitive scene with a CS:GO team that quickly became integral to its growth and popularity. The original roster featured Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team reached new heights of success, boasting a lineup of heavy hitters like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. This all-star ensemble solidified NRG's status as one of the top teams in the region, with Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh serving as coaches during this golden era.
Their list of accolades includes a commendable fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following the transition to Evil Geniuses, the team continued its winning streak with victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG withdrew from competitive CS, selling its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, as noted by insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This sale marked the end of an era but set the stage for future endeavors.
The Shifting NA CS Landscape
NRG's re-entry into competitive CS coincides with significant shifts in the North American esports environment. Team Liquid's surprising move from NA to EU and swirling rumors about Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left a vacuum in the region, with only a handful of major organizations remaining.
With its latest roster, NRG Esports appears ready to fill that void and re-establish itself as a dominant force in North American Counter-Strike. As the esports community eagerly anticipates the team's performance, NRG's strategic recruitment suggests a promising resurgence and a commitment to reclaiming its position at the pinnacle of competitive CS.