In a significant development for the North American esports scene, NRG has announced its re-entry into competitive Counter Strike with the unveiling of a new roster for CS2. The announcement was made through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, putting an end to weeks of speculation about the organization's plans.
The buzz around NRG's potential comeback to the competitive CS circuit gained traction after Miller confirmed the rumors during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover." With this move, NRG solidifies its commitment to competing in the North American region once again.
A Veteran Leader
At the helm of the newly formed squad is Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. The 30-year-old Canadian player is no stranger to the esports arena, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous stints, including his role as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps is well-remembered for his time with NRG between 2018 and 2019, leaving just before the team's sale of their former CS:GO roster. His return marks a full-circle moment for both him and the organization.
Reuniting Former Teammates
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who makes his return to NRG after a four-year tenure with Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old had previously competed alongside Daps in NRG and is looking to recapture the magic that made them a formidable duo. Brehze's decision to come back to NRG follows a challenging year with Evil Geniuses, which saw less than stellar performances in 2023.
Adding firepower to the lineup is Josh Ohm, or oSee, who recently parted ways with Liquid after being benched amid a major overhaul of their CS2 team. The restructuring at Liquid left oSee searching for a new team, and NRG offered the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.
New Blood and Strategic Additions
Jadan Postma, also known as HexT, is another noteworthy addition to the NRG roster. He joins the team following an 18-month spell with Evil Geniuses, bringing a new dynamic to the squad with his departure on November 28. His recent experience in the North American scene could prove invaluable to NRG's aspirations.
Completing the lineup is Justin Coakley, going by the moniker FaNg. Previously benched at Complexity to make room for Jonathan Jablonowski, FaNg now finds a new chapter in his career with NRG. His transition comes at a pivotal time, as the organization looks to re-establish itself as a competitive force.
NRG's Storied History in CS
NRG first made its mark in the esports world in late 2015, quickly gaining recognition with a CS:GO team that propelled the organization's growth. The original roster featured Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, setting the stage for future successes.
The peak of NRG's influence in the CS:GO scene came between 2018 and 2019, with a star-studded lineup that included Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, they established NRG as a top contender in the region, with Chet "ImAPet" Singh serving as one of the coaches during this golden era.
This period was marked by several notable achievements, such as a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following the sale of its roster to Evil Geniuses, the team continued to find success, claiming victories at prestigious events like the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, NRG's withdrawal from competitive CS in September 2019 came as a surprise to many, especially since the team was ranked fourth globally at the time. The move involved selling its roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to esports insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
NRG's return to CS coincides with a period of upheaval in the North American esports landscape. Team Liquid's unexpected relocation 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.
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