In a striking development for the esports community, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike arena with the unveiling of their North American roster for CS2. The announcement came via a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, confirming speculations that had been circulating earlier in the month about NRG's return to the scene.
Andy Miller had previously hinted at this move during an episode of the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast, setting the stage for a major comeback in the North American region. This strategic decision marks a new chapter for the organization which is looking to rebuild its legacy in the competitive circuit.
A Veteran-Led Roster
At the forefront of the new lineup is Damian Steele, known by his in-game moniker 'Daps'. At 30 years of age, Daps is no stranger to the high stakes of competitive Counter Strike, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous tenure as a player and coach. His achievements are well-noted, having served as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps had an earlier stint with NRG between 2018 and 2019, leaving just before the team's former CS:GO roster was sold.
Joining Daps is Vincent Cayonte, or 'Brehze', who transitions back to NRG after a four-year spell with Evil Geniuses. Brehze's history with NRG goes back to the time he competed alongside Daps before the original roster transitioned to Evil Geniuses. Despite a disappointing year with his former team in 2023, Brehze's return is seen as a significant boost to the team's firepower.
NRG's roster is further bolstered by the addition of Josh Ohm, better known as 'oSee'. After being benched by Liquid amid a substantial restructuring of their CS2 team, oSee found a new home with NRG. This acquisition signifies NRG's commitment to building a competitive team capable of challenging the best in the field.
The team also welcomes Jadan Postma, alias 'HexT', who parted ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28, following an 18-month tenure. His arrival adds another layer of skill and potential to the burgeoning squad.
Completing the lineup is Justin Coakley, recognized in the gaming world as 'FaNg'. His move comes after several months on the bench post Complexity's decision to bring in Jonathan Jablonowski, better known as 'EliGE', to their ranks. FaNg's transfer to NRG is poised to offer him a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his abilities on a grander stage.
NRG Esports' Illustrious Past
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape. The organization's early growth and popularity were significantly bolstered by their initial CS:GO team, which featured players such as Fatih 'gob b' Dayik, Nikola 'LEGIJA' Ninić, Samuel 'SileNt' Portillo, Justin 'Just9n' Ortiz, and Peter 'ptr' Gurney.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team reached remarkable heights, assembling an all-star cast including the likes of 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, NRG solidified its status as a powerhouse in the region. Their success culminated in a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and victories at the ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8 under the Evil Geniuses banner.
However, September 2019 marked a significant shift when 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 current landscape of North American Counter Strike is undergoing significant changes, with NRG's re-entry happening amidst Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting the esports scene, leaving only a few major organizations in the NA region.
NRG's bold move signals not just a resurgence for the organization but also a revitalization of the North American Counter Strike scene. With a veteran-led roster brimming with talent and experience, NRG Esports is poised to write a new chapter in