In a compelling turn of events, NRG Esports has marked its return to the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the unveiling of a new North American roster in CS2. The announcement was made public through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, igniting excitement among fans and players alike.
Speculation had been rife about NRG's potential comeback to the competitive Counter-Strike landscape. These rumors were substantiated by CEO Andy Miller during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover," where he confirmed the organization's intention to re-enter the fray, specifically targeting the North American region for competition.
A Veteran Leader
The newly formed team will be captained by seasoned player Damian Steele, better known as Daps. At the age of 30, Daps is no stranger to the ebb and flow of competitive gaming, having accrued an impressive array of achievements throughout his career. Notably, he served as a coach for Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, a period before the organization sold its former CS:GO roster. Now, Daps returns to lead the pack once again.
Reuniting Former Teammates
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who makes a comeback from Evil Geniuses. Having previously played alongside Daps at NRG before the team's sale, the 25-year-old sharpshooter spent four years with Evil Geniuses. However, following a less than stellar performance in 2023, Brehze has decided to return to his roots at NRG.
Another significant addition to the team is Josh Ohm, known in the gaming world as oSee. After being benched earlier in the month, oSee transitions from Liquid amidst a major overhaul of their roster, which saw a reduction to just two players. This restructuring left oSee seeking a new team, ultimately leading him to NRG.
Rounding Out the Roster
Jadan Postma, or HexT, also fortifies the lineup. He recently parted ways with Evil Geniuses after an 18-month stint. His departure on November 28 marks a new chapter as he brings his talents to NRG.
The team's formation is completed by Justin Coakley, known professionally as FaNg. Previously benched for several months at Complexity, FaNg's move was precipitated by the team's decision to add Jonathan Jablonowski to their ranks. Now, FaNg finds a fresh start with NRG.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports has been a mainstay in the North American esports scene. The organization initially gained prominence with a CS:GO roster that contributed significantly to its early growth. The original squad included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
NRG's CS:GO team hit its stride between 2018 and 2019, boasting an all-star lineup with heavy hitters like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. Under the guidance of coaches Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team solidified its status as one of the best in the region.
During this golden era, the team clinched notable victories such as a fourth-place finish in the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and triumphs at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8, competing under the banner of Evil Geniuses.
However, September 2019 saw NRG Esports exit the competitive CS stage when it sold its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million—a transaction disclosed by insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The current re-entry of NRG into competitive CS coincides with a period of significant shifts within the North American Counter-Strike ecosystem. In a surprising move, Team Liquid has relocated from NA to EU, while there are circulating rumors suggesting Evil Geniuses might exit esports, potentially leaving only two major NA organizations in the fray.
This resurgence of NRG Esports in the Counter-Strike domain signals not just a revival of the organization's commitment to the game but also a reshaping of the competitive landscape in North America