In an exciting development for fans of competitive Counter-Strike, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the fray with a new roster for CS2. This news was delivered in a video announcement by co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller. The move ends speculation that had been building throughout the month, with Miller confirming the rumors on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover." NRG is setting its sights on competing within the North American region, bringing both familiar faces and fresh talent to its lineup.
NRG's Veteran Leadership
The team's return is spearheaded by Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is a seasoned veteran of the Counter-Strike scene. His extensive experience includes notable achievements and a recent coaching tenure with Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps is no stranger to NRG, having played for the organization from 2018 to 2019 before leaving just prior to the sale of their former CS:GO roster.
Star Players Reunite
Joining Daps is Vincent Cayonte, or Brehze, who makes his comeback to NRG after a stint with Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old player previously competed alongside Daps at NRG before transitioning to Evil Geniuses, where he spent the last four years. However, following a lackluster 2023 season, Brehze has returned to his former team, ready to reignite his career with NRG.
Another significant addition to the team is Josh Ohm, better known as oSee, who comes from Team Liquid after being bened earlier in the month. With Liquid undergoing major changes, reducing their CS2 team to just two players, oSee was compelled to find a new home, which he found in NRG.
New Blood Infusion
The roster is further bolstered by Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, who left Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure. His arrival at NRG adds a dynamic element to the team's strategic play.
Completing the lineup is Justin Coakley, alias FaNg, who joined NRG after a period of being benched. His previous organization, Complexity, had made roster adjustments, adding Jonathan Jablonowski to the team, which led to FaNg seeking new opportunities.
A Look Back at NRG's CS Legacy
NRG Esports has been a prominent name in North American esports since its inception in late 2015. Initially, the organization gained recognition with a CS:GO roster that included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This team laid the foundation for NRG's growth and popularity in the competitive gaming space.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team reached new heights of success, boasting an all-star lineup featuring legends such as Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, and under the guidance of coaches like Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team established itself as one of the best in the region. Their efforts culminated in a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their transition to Evil Geniuses, the team continued to impress, claiming victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
Despite these achievements, NRG withdrew from competitive CS in September 2019, selling its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This marked a significant shift in the organization's focus, but not the end of its journey in Counter-Strike.
The Changing NA CS Landscape
The return of NRG to competitive CS comes at a time when the North American esports landscape is undergoing considerable change. Team Liquid's surprising move from the NA to the EU region and the circulating rumors of Evil Geniuses' potential exit from esports altogether have left the future uncertain for the region's teams. Amidst this shifting backdrop, NRG's re-entry could signal a resurgence of North American presence in the international Counter-Strike scene.
With a blend of experienced veterans and talented newcomers, NRG's newly assembled roster looks poised to make an impact