In a significant development for the competitive Counter Strike scene, NRG Esports has announced its re-entry into the fray with the unveiling of a new North American roster. The news came through a video announcement featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller. This move comes on the heels of swirling speculation earlier in the month, which Miller confirmed during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover." With plans to compete in the North American region, NRG is making a strong statement about their commitment to the CS2 competitive landscape.
NRG's Veteran-Led Roster
The newly revealed roster will be led by veteran player Damian Steele, better known as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is a seasoned competitor with a rich history of achievements in the Counter Strike domain. His experience includes a coaching stint with Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Notably, Daps is no stranger to NRG, having played for the organization from 2018 to 2019 before the sale of their former CS:GO roster.
Joining Daps is Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who transitions from Evil Geniuses back to NRG, reuniting with his former teammate. The 25-year-old spent the past four years with Evil Geniuses but opted for a return to NRG following a lackluster 2023 season with his previous team.
Josh Ohm, known in the gaming community as oSee, also makes the switch to NRG from Liquid, following his benching amid Liquid's major roster restructuring. As Liquid pared down their CS2 team to just two players, oSee was compelled to find a new team, landing him a spot with NRG.
Further bolstering the lineup is Jadan Postma, or HexT, who parted ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month tenure. His addition to the NRG squad adds another layer of skill and potential to the already robust team composition.
Rounding out the team is Justin Coakley, known professionally as FaNg. After several months on the bench due to Complexity's roster changes, including the addition of Jonathan Jablonowski, FaNg departed and now brings his talents to NRG.
A Look Back at NRG Esports' CS Legacy
NRG Esports is not new to the Counter Strike scene. Founded in late 2015, the prominent North American esports organization quickly gained recognition by fielding a CS:GO roster that contributed significantly to its early growth and popularity. Its original lineup 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 rose to prominence, assembling an all-star lineup that featured luminaries such as 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 cemented itself as one of the top contenders in the region.
During this golden era, the team's notable achievements include securing a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Subsequently, competing under the Evil Geniuses banner, they clinched victories at both the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, NRG's initial foray into competitive CS concluded in September 2019 when it sold its then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported sum of $3 million, as per insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This marked a temporary withdrawal from the competitive CS scene.
The Shifting Landscape of North American CS
NRG's return to Counter Strike coincides with a period of significant change within the North American esports landscape. In a surprising move, Team Liquid has transitioned from NA to EU, fueling rumors of a potential exit from esports by Evil Geniuses. Such changes leave only a handful of major NA organizations in the competitive space.
With the introduction of its new roster, NRG Esports is poised to reignite its legacy and make an impact in the evolving world of competitive Counter Strike. The blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent sets the stage for what could be a new chapter of success for the organization. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as NRG takes to the servers to test