In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports declared their re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike arena with CS2. The revelation featured co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, who also confirmed the speculation in a recent episode of the "The Crossover" League of Legends podcast. NRG has set its sights on dominating the North American region with a lineup that blends seasoned talent with fresh blood.
NRG's Veteran Leadership
The new roster is helmed by the experienced Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30, Daps is no stranger to the rigors of competitive play, having amassed a significant track record of achievements. His tenure includes coaching stints for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps is returning to familiar territory; he previously played for NRG from 2018 to 2019, leaving just before the organization sold its former CS:GO roster.
Roster Reinforcements
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who makes his return to NRG after four years with Evil Geniuses. Brehze, a 25-year-old sharpshooter, had previously competed alongside Daps in NRG. His decision to return was spurred by a lackluster 2023 season with Evil Geniuses.
Josh Ohm, or oSee, is another notable addition, transitioning to NRG from Liquid after being benched amid the team's decision to reduce their CS2 team to just two players. This move allowed oSee to continue his career without interruption, bringing his skills as a formidable marksman to the NRG lineup.
Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, completes the roster's core, departing Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure. His departure and subsequent signing with NRG add another layer of depth to the team's strategic and tactical pool.
Last but not least, Justin Coakley, alias FaNg, joins NRG following several months on the bench after Complexity Gaming reshuffled their roster. FaNg's transition came about as Complexity welcomed Jonathan Jablonowski to their ranks, necessitating room for the new player.
A Storied Legacy
NRG Esports' journey in Counter-Strike began in late 2015 when they signed the former Method squad, which included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This initial foray helped establish NRG as a prominent force in North American esports.
Their most successful period spanned 2018 to 2019, during which NRG boasted an all-star lineup featuring Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. Under the guidance of coaches Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team solidified its status as one of the best in the region, culminating in a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their sale to Evil Geniuses, the roster continued to excel, claiming titles at the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
Despite these successes, NRG stepped back from the competitive CS scene in September 2019, selling its globally fourth-ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The Changing NA Landscape
NRG's comeback occurs amidst significant shifts within the North American Counter-Strike ecosystem. Team Liquid's surprise relocation from NA to EU and rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left the NA scene in a state of flux, with only a handful of major organizations remaining.
With this new roster, NRG aims to reclaim its position as a powerhouse in the competitive Counter-Strike domain. The blend of veteran experience and young talent sets the stage for what could be a riveting chapter in NRG's storied esports history. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as NRG takes to the servers once more, ready to make their mark and perhaps redefine the North American Counter-Strike landscape.