In a move that has the esports community buzzing, NRG Esports announced their re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with a new team set to compete in CS2. The announcement came through a video featuring Sapnap, co-owner of NRG, and CEO Andy Miller. This news confirms the swirling rumors about NRG's return, which Miller had previously hinted at during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover." The organization is gearing up to make its mark in the North American region once again.
NRG's New Roster
The newly unveiled roster brings together both new and familiar faces. Leading the pack is Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is a seasoned veteran of the Counter-Strike circuit, carrying a resume filled with notable achievements. His experience includes a coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps is no stranger to NRG, having played for them from 2018 to 2019 before leaving just prior to the sale of the team's previous CS:GO roster.
Joining him is Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze. The 25-year-old returns to NRG after a four-year tenure with Evil Geniuses, bringing his considerable talents back to where he once competed alongside Daps. Brehze's decision follows a less than stellar year with Evil Geniuses, prompting his transition back to NRG.
Josh Ohm, or oSee, is another noteworthy addition to the team. After being benched by Liquid amid a significant roster overhaul, oSee was compelled to find a new home and has landed with NRG. His arrival comes at a time when Liquid is paring down their CS2 team to just two players.
Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, strengthens the lineup further. He recently left Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month period with the team. Lastly, Justin Coakley, known as FaNg, joins the roster following a period of inactivity after Complexity Gaming benched him to make room for Jonathan Jablonowski.
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. The organization initially gained recognition with its CS:GO team, which included players such as Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This squad laid the groundwork for what would become a highly successful chapter in NRG's history.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team climbed to the top ranks, boasting an all-star lineup with 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 achieved remarkable success, including a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following the team's transition to Evil Geniuses, they continued their winning streak with victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
Despite these accomplishments, NRG withdrew from competitive CS in September 2019, selling its then fourth-ranked global roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to esports insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The Shifting Landscape of North American CS
NRG's comeback occurs amidst a period of significant change within the North American Counter-Strike ecosystem. In a surprising development, Team Liquid moved their operations from NA to EU. Rumors are also circulating about the potential exit of Evil Geniuses from the esports scene, which, if true, would leave a void with only a handful of major NA organizations remaining.
This landscape provides NRG with both an opportunity and a challenge as they aim to reclaim their position as a dominant force in North American esports. With a blend of experienced veterans and fresh talent, NRG's new roster seems poised to make a splash in the competitive arena of CS2. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if this team can recapture the magic that once made NRG a household name in the world of competitive Counter-Strike.