In a striking announcement that has stirred the esports community, NRG Esports declared their re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the unveiling of their new roster for CS2. This revelation came through a video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, confirming speculations that had been rife earlier in the month about NRG's comeback.
The news broke out during an episode of the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover," where Miller affirmed the organization's intention to focus on the North American region. The revamped team is not entirely new but includes some familiar faces who are making a return to the fold.
Experienced Leadership
At the helm of the new roster is the seasoned player Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the Counter-Strike arena, having amassed a wealth of experience, including a coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. He previously played for NRG from 2018 to 2019 and left just before the sale of NRG's former CS:GO roster, marking his return as a significant homecoming.
Roster Reinforcements
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, or Brehze, who makes his way back to NRG from Evil Geniuses. Having competed alongside Daps during their previous tenure at NRG, Brehze, at 25, has spent the last four years with Evil Geniuses. His return follows a less than stellar performance in 2023 with his former team, signaling a fresh start within a familiar environment.
Another notable addition is Josh Ohm, known as oSee, who transitions to NRG from Liquid after being benched amidst a broader restructuring of Liquid’s CS2 team. With Liquid downsizing their roster to just two players, oSee was compelled to find a new base, which he found with NRG.
Jadan Postma, also recognized by his in-game moniker HexT, has parted ways with Evil Geniuses as of November 28, following an 18-month period with the organization. His move to NRG further bolsters the team's lineup.
Completing the ensemble is Justin Coakley, better known as FaNg. After spending several months on the bench due to Complexity's decision to bring Jonathan Jablonowski onto the team, FaNg seized the opportunity to join NRG, looking to make a significant impact.
A Look Back at NRG's Esports Legacy
NRG Esports has been a prominent name in North American esports since its inception in late 2015. Initially, the organization made headway by acquiring the former Method squad, which included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This move laid the foundation for NRG's growth and popularity in the competitive circuit.
The peak of NRG's success in CS:GO came between 2018 and 2019 when they fielded a star-studded lineup comprising legendary figures such as Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, along with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. Under the guidance of coaches Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team cemented itself as a powerhouse in the region.
During this golden era, NRG achieved commendable feats, including a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Subsequently, as Evil Geniuses, the team clinched victories at prestigious tournaments like the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG took a step back from competitive CS, selling its then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a sum reportedly around $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
NRG's resurgence comes at a time when the North American CS landscape is undergoing significant changes. Team Liquid's surprising 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.
With this bold move, NRG Esports aims to reclaim its position as a leading force in the North American Counter-Strike domain, leveraging the expertise of veteran players and the vigor of new talent. As the esports world watches, NRG's journey in CS2 is poised to be one of redemption