In a move that has stirred the Counter-Strike community, NRG Esports has marked its return to the competitive arena with a new roster announcement. In a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, the organization unveiled plans to rejoin the fray in CS2, signaling a fresh chapter for North American esports.
NRG's Strategic Re-entry
The buzz around NRG's potential comeback had been building momentum earlier this month, culminating in Miller's confirmation during an episode of the "The Crossover" League of Legends podcast. The organization is setting its sights on dominating the North American region once more, reviving its legacy in the competitive scene.
A Veteran-Led Roster
At the helm of the newly minted team is Damian Steele, better known as Daps, a seasoned figure in the Counter-Strike circuit. At 30 years old, Daps's extensive experience includes notable stints and achievements, most recently serving as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, prior to his departure ahead of the organization's former CS:GO roster sale.
Rejoining Daps is Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, formerly of Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old sharpshooter previously shared the NRG banner with Daps before transitioning to Evil Geniuses, where he spent four years. Brehze's return to NRG follows what many consider a lackluster 2023 season with his old squad.
Josh Ohm, known in gaming circles as oSee, is another high-profile addition to the roster. After being benched by Liquid amidst a significant overhaul of their CS2 team, oSee was on the lookout for a new team, finding a fit with NRG.
The roster is further bolstered by Jadan Postma, or HexT, who left Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure. The North American organization has seen considerable talent through its doors, and HexT's arrival at NRG promises to inject fresh energy into the team.
Completing the lineup is Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, who found himself without a team after Complexity Gaming reshuffled its roster, bringing in Jonathan Jablonowski and leaving FaNg benched. Now under NRG's banner, FaNg is poised to prove his mettle in the competitive circuit.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports has been a prominent name in North American esports, initially gaining recognition with a CS:GO team that propelled the organization's growth. The original roster featured Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
The period between 2018 and 2019 saw NRG's CS:GO team rise to prominence with an all-star lineup, including legends like Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, and under the coaching prowess of Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team earned a formidable reputation as one of the best in the region.
During this golden era, the team clinched a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and celebrated victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8 under the Evil Geniuses banner.
However, September 2019 marked a turning point as NRG withdrew from competitive CS, selling its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The Changing Landscape of North American CS
NRG's resurgence comes amid a turbulent time for North American Counter-Strike. Team Liquid shocked fans by relocating from NA to EU, and rumors abound regarding Evil Geniuses' potential exit from esports. These developments leave a vacuum in the North American scene, one that NRG seems intent on filling.
With such a strong lineup and a rich history in the competitive Counter-Strike domain, NRG Esports' return is not just a revival but a statement of intent. The esports world will be watching closely as this storied organization embarks on its journey to reclaim past glories and forge new victories in the ever-evolving landscape of CS