In a move that marks a significant comeback, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the unveiling of their new roster for CS2. This announcement was made public through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, confirming speculation that had been building momentum earlier in the month.
Andy Miller initially sparked the rumors during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover," where he hinted at the organization's plans to dive back into the North American competitive circuit. This strategic move represents a renewed commitment from NRG to establish itself as a formidable force within the region.
A Veteran-Led Roster
The newly formed team is set to be captained by the seasoned professional Damian Steele, better known by his in-game moniker, Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the high-stakes environment of competitive Counter-Strike, having accrued a wealth of experience and achievements throughout his career. He has also served as a coach for Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023, further solidifying his expertise in the game. Notably, Daps is making a return to NRG after a previous stint with the team between 2018 and 2019, which ended just before the sale of the organization's former CS:GO roster.
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, known in the gaming community as Brehze. The 25-year-old player reunites with Daps after a four-year tenure with Evil Geniuses, a period that unfortunately culminated in a disappointing year for the team in 2023. Brehze's decision to return to NRG is a testament to his belief in the organization's vision and potential for success.
Another notable addition to the roster is Josh Ohm, or oSee, who transitions from Team Liquid following a recent benching amid the team's significant restructuring efforts. With Liquid downsizing their CS2 team, oSee found a new opportunity with NRG, bringing with him a fresh perspective and a drive to excel with his new teammates.
The lineup is further bolstered by Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, who left Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an impressive 18-month run with the team. His departure signifies a new chapter in his career, one that aligns with NRG's aspirations in the competitive arena.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, going by FaNg, whose transition comes after a period of inactivity due to being benched. His former team, Complexity, had undergone changes, adding Jonathan Jablonowski to their ranks, which ultimately led to FaNg's exit and subsequent recruitment by NRG.
NRG's Legacy in Esports
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape. The organization's initial foray into CS:GO was marked by the acquisition of the Method squad, which included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. These early steps were crucial in establishing NRG's presence in the competitive gaming world.
The peak of NRG's CS:GO endeavors came between 2018 and 2019 when the team fielded a star-studded lineup boasting the likes of Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, this lineup propelled NRG to the forefront of the scene, earning them a reputation as one of the best teams in the region. Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh played pivotal roles as coaches during this golden era, which saw the team secure a fourth-place finish in the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major and clinch 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 exited the competitive CS scene, selling its top-ranking roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This sale represented a significant shift in the organization's strategy, but it also paved the way for the eventual resurgence we witness today.
NRG's return to Counter-Strike coincides with a period of transformation within the North American esports sphere. With Team Liquid's surprising relocation from NA to EU and whispers of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting the esports domain,