In a move that has reignited the competitive spirit within the North American Counter Strike community, NRG Esports has announced its grand return to the scene with a video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller. The organization is making a comeback in CS2, unveiling a new roster that integrates familiar faces from its storied past.
After weeks of speculation, the rumors about NRG's re-entry into competitive Counter Strike were confirmed by Miller during an appearance on the "The Crossover," a podcast dedicated to League of Legends. NRG has made it clear that their focus will be on competing within the North American region, aiming to reclaim and surpass their former glory.
A Veteran Leader
The newly assembled team is set to be helmed by Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is not new to the leadership role, bringing an impressive track record of achievements and a history of strategic guidance, having coached Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His tenure with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, before he left just prior to the sale of the team’s then CS:GO roster.
Returning Talent
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who returns to NRG after a stint with Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old has previously played alongside Daps in NRG, and after four years with Evil Geniuses and a less than stellar 2023 season, Brehze is back where he once made his mark.
Josh Ohm, or oSee, is another notable addition to the team, coming from Team Liquid after being benched amidst a significant reshuffle that saw Liquid pare down their CS2 team to a mere two players. In search of a new team, oSee found his way to NRG, ready to contribute his sharpshooting skills.
Jadan Postma, who goes by HexT, strengthens the lineup even further. He recently parted ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28, ending an 18-month run with the organization. His move to NRG is seen as a promising development for the team's dynamics.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, alias FaNg, who was previously benched by Complexity following the acquisition of Jonathan Jablonowski. FaNg's transition to NRG is anticipated to add fresh energy and perspective to the squad.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape since its inception in late 2015. The organization first gained recognition with a CS:GO team that played a pivotal role in its early growth. This original squad included 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 achieved significant success with an all-star lineup featuring Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, along with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. This era marked the team as one of the best in the region, with Chet "ImAPet" Singh alongside Daps in coaching roles. A highlight of this period was a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their sale to Evil Geniuses, they also claimed victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, September 2019 marked a turning point as NRG withdrew from competitive CS, selling its globally fourth-ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to esports insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
NRG's resurgence comes at a time when the North American Counter Strike landscape is undergoing significant changes. With Team Liquid's unexpected relocation from NA to EU and circulating rumors about Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports, there are only a few major organizations left in the region. NRG's return could not only fill the void but also revitalize the competitive scene in North America.
With such a diverse and experienced lineup, NRG Esports seems poised to make a powerful statement in the realm of CS2. Fans and competitors alike will undoubtedly be watching closely as this newly minted team embarks on their journey to etch new victories in the annals of Counter Strike history.