In a recent video announcement that has sent ripples through the esports community, NRG Esports has confirmed its re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with CS2. The revelation was made public by co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, unveiling a new North American roster peppered with familiar faces.
Speculation had been rife about NRG's potential comeback to the competitive Counter-Strike landscape earlier in the month. These rumors were substantiated when Miller discussed the organization's plans during an appearance on the "The Crossover," a League of Legends podcast. NRG's intention to compete within the North American region is now a commitment set in stone.
The Veteran Leader
At the helm of the newly minted roster stands Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. A seasoned veteran of the game at 30 years old, Daps brings an extensive track record of achievements and insights from his coaching tenure with Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, although he left the team shortly before NRG's previous CS:GO roster was sold off.
Stalwart Teammates
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known by his alias Brehze. Formerly of Evil Geniuses, the 25-year-old reunites with Daps after their shared history on NRG's past lineup. Following a four-year stint with Evil Geniuses that culminated in a lackluster 2023, Brehze has opted to return to his roots with NRG.
Josh Ohm, or oSee, arrives from Team Liquid, following his benching earlier in the month amidst a significant reshuffling of Liquid's CS2 team, which saw its roster reduced to just two players. Seeking a new chapter in his career, oSee has found his place among the ranks of NRG.
The roster is further bolstered by the addition of Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, who parted ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure with the organization. His move adds yet another layer of expertise and skill to the NRG lineup.
Completing the team is Justin Coakley, going by the moniker FaNg, who found himself benched for several months following Complexity's decision to bring Jonathan Jablonowski onto their team. FaNg's transition to NRG marks a fresh start for the player after accommodating his former team's new acquisition.
A Look Back at NRG's CS Legacy
NRG Esports first burst onto the esports scene in late 2015, quickly making a name for itself with a CS:GO roster that contributed significantly to the organization's early growth and popularity. The original team was composed of Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
From 2018 to 2019, NRG's CS:GO team reached new heights of success with an all-star lineup boasting the likes of Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, this powerhouse team established itself as one of the top contenders in the region. Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh played pivotal roles as coaches during this golden era.
Their remarkable run included a fourth-place finish at the prestigious 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. After transitioning to the banner of Evil Geniuses, the team continued its winning streak with triumphs at both the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG made the difficult decision to withdraw 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 NA CS Landscape
NRG's resurgence in Counter-Strike coincides with considerable shifts in the North American esports environment. In a surprising turn of events, Team Liquid announced its relocation from NA to EU. Moreover, there are swirling rumors suggesting that Evil Geniuses may exit the esports arena entirely, potentially leaving only a handful of major NA organizations in play.
With these developments, NRG's revitalized commitment to CS2 not only marks a new chapter for the organization but also signals a transformative period for the North American competitive