In a dramatic turn of events, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike scene with the unveiling of a new North American roster. This exciting development was revealed in a video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller. The team's return, which had been the subject of much speculation earlier this month, was confirmed by Miller during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover." NRG's comeback is set to make waves in the North American region.
A Veteran Leader
Leading the charge for the newly minted roster is the seasoned CS player Damian Steele, better known as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is a veteran of the scene, bringing a wealth of experience and a storied history of achievements. Notably, he has served as a coach for Team Liquid throughout both 2022 and 2023. His prior stint with NRG, between 2018 and 2019, saw him depart just before the organization's previous CS:GO roster was sold. Now, Daps returns to NRG, ready to steer the team to new heights.
Familiar Faces and New Talent
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who makes his way back to NRG from Evil Geniuses. Having previously competed with Daps in NRG before the roster transition, the 25-year-old spent the last four years with Evil Geniuses. However, following a less than stellar 2023 season, Brehze has opted to return to his former team, seeking to recapture past glories.
Another notable addition to the squad is Josh Ohm, known in the gaming community as oSee. His transfer comes after being benched by Liquid, which is undergoing a significant overhaul, reducing their CS2 team to just two players. oSee, now looking for a fresh start, finds a new home with NRG.
The roster is further bolstered by Jadan Postma, or HexT, who left Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure with the team. His decision to join NRG adds yet another layer of skill and potential to the lineup.
Rounding out the team is Justin Coakley, going by the moniker FaNg. He became available after spending several months benched due to his former organization, Complexity, restructuring their team to include Jonathan Jablonowski. FaNg's move to NRG represents a new chapter in his career.
NRG Esports' CS Legacy
NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape since its inception in late 2015. Initially gaining attention with a CS:GO roster that included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, the organization quickly rose to prominence.
The years 2018 to 2019 were particularly successful for NRG's CS:GO team. With a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, the team established itself as one of the best in the region. Daps and coach Chet "ImAPet" Singh were at the helm during this golden era. Their efforts culminated in a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8 under the banner of Evil Geniuses.
Despite these successes, September 2019 marked a significant shift for NRG as they exited the competitive CS scene, selling their then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
Shifting Tides in North American CS
NRG's return to competitive Counter Strike coincides with considerable changes within the North American CS ecosystem. Team Liquid's unexpected relocation from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports altogether have left the NA scene in a state of flux, with only a handful of major organizations remaining.
As the dust settles on these recent developments, all eyes are on NRG as they embark on their renewed journey in CS2. With a blend of experienced veterans and hungry new talent, NRG looks poised to reclaim their position as titans of North American Counter Strike.