In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports marked its resurgence in the competitive Counter Strike sphere with CS2, unveiling a new North American roster peppered with familiar faces. The reveal, featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, put an end to the swirling speculations about NRG's re-entry into the competitive CS scene.
Andy Miller confirmed the rumors on "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast, heralding the organization's intent to assert their presence in the North American region. This strategic move comes at a time when the North American CS landscape is undergoing significant shifts, making NRG's comeback all the more impactful.
A Veteran Returns
Steering the newly minted roster is Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30, Daps is no stranger to the ebb and flow of competitive Counter Strike. His journey boasts numerous accolades, including a recent stint as coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps' history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, prior to his departure just before the team's sale of its former CS:GO roster.
Familiar Faces
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, aka Brehze, a former comrade from his days in NRG and a recent member of Evil Geniuses. After four years with Evil Geniuses and a less-than-stellar performance in 2023, the 25-year-old Brehze has found his way back to NRG, ready to reignite old synergies and forge new victories.
The roster also welcomes Josh Ohm, or oSee, transitioning from Team Liquid after being benched amid a significant team overhaul that saw Liquid pare down their CS2 squad to a mere duo. For oSee, NRG offers a fresh start and a chance to showcase his skills anew.
Jadan Postma, better known as HexT, further fortifies the lineup. His November 28 departure from Evil Geniuses after an 18-month tenure signals a new chapter with NRG, bringing his sharp gameplay and strategic acumen to the table.
Rounding out the ensemble is Justin Coakley, alias FaNg, who found himself sidelined following Complexity's decision to onboard Jonathan Jablonowski. Now under the NRG banner, FaNg is poised to demonstrate the prowess that had him earmarked as a rising talent.
NRG Esports' Storied Legacy
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports has been a tour de force in the North American esports arena. Initially, the organization made headway with a CS:GO team that included the likes of Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This early roster laid the groundwork for what would become a storied chapter in NRG's history.
The pinnacle of NRG's CS:GO era spanned 2018 to 2019, featuring a stellar lineup with Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, and under the guidance of coaches Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team carved out a reputation as one of the best in the region.
During this golden era, NRG's achievements were noteworthy, with a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major standing out. Following the team's transition to Evil Geniuses, they continued their winning streak with triumphs at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, September 2019 marked a pivotal moment as NRG exited the competitive CS scene, selling its then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The Shifting Sands of North American CS
NRG's return is set against a backdrop of considerable change within the North American CS ecosystem. Team Liquid's unexpected migration to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left only a handful of major organizations in NA. Amidst this uncertainty, NRG's re-entry injects both competition and excitement, signaling a renaissance for the region's CS ambitions.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and eager talents, NRG's revitalized roster is a beacon of hope for fans and a challenge to competitors.