In a significant development for the competitive Counter-Strike scene, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry with a new roster for CS2. The revelation came through a video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, ending weeks of speculation about the organization's plans.
The buzz around NRG's potential return to the competitive Counter Strike sphere was confirmed by Miller during an episode of the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast. The organization has set its sights on competing within the North American region, bolstering the competitive landscape that has seen considerable shifts in recent times.
A Veteran Leader
At the helm of the newly minted roster is Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is a seasoned player with a track record of success, including a coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, prior to his departure just before the team's former CS:GO roster was sold.
Reunited Under NRG Banner
Rejoining Daps is Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who returns from a four-year tenure with Evil Geniuses. Brehze, 25, had previously played alongside Daps in NRG, and his comeback follows a less than stellar 2023 season with his former team.
Josh Ohm, alias oSee, is another high-profile addition to the roster, coming from Team Liquid after being benched earlier in the month. Liquid's decision to pare down their CS2 team to just two players left oSee seeking a new squad, leading to his recruitment by NRG.
Jadan Postma, or HexT, brings additional strength to the lineup following his departure from Evil Geniuses on November 28, after an 18-month run with the organization. His move marks a strategic acquisition for NRG as they look to solidify their position in the competitive arena.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, who found himself sidelined for several months after Complexity Gaming reshuffled its team to include Jonathan Jablonowski. FaNg's transition to NRG is poised to open a new chapter in his professional career.
NRG Esports' Competitive Legacy
NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape since its inception in late 2015. Their initial foray into the competitive CS:GO space involved signing the former Method squad, which included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
The organization's golden era spanned 2018 to 2019, when it fielded an all-star lineup that boasted talents like 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, NRG established itself as a powerhouse in the region.
This period saw them secure a commendable fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their transition to Evil Geniuses, the team also clinched victories at prestigious events such as the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, September 2019 marked a turning point as NRG withdrew from 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 Changing NA CS Landscape
NRG's resurgence comes amidst a tumultuous time for North American Counter-Strike. Team Liquid's unexpected move from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left a void in the region. With only a handful of major organizations remaining, NRG's return could not be more timely, promising a revitalization of the North American competitive circuit.
As fans eagerly anticipate the impact of NRG's renewed presence, the organization's strategic acquisitions and the assembly of a seasoned roster underpin their commitment to excellence. With the blend of experience and talent, NRG is poised to reignite the fervor for Counter-Strike in North America and challenge the global competitive order once again.