In an electrifying video announcement, NRG Esports marked its resurgence into the competitive arena of Counter Strike with CS2. The revelation, made by co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, introduced a new North American roster that brings back some familiar faces to the fold.
The esports community had been rife with speculation about NRG's comeback to the competitive CS scene. These rumors were substantiated when Miller confirmed the team's intentions during an appearance on the League of Legends podcast "The Crossover." Committed to making a splash in the North American region, NRG has laid out plans to re-establish itself as a dominant force.
Experienced Leadership
At the helm of the new lineup is Damian Steele, known in the gaming world as Daps. A seasoned veteran at 30, Daps returns with a treasure trove of experience, including various commendable achievements and a recent coaching stint for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. His history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, just before the team's previous CS:GO roster was sold. Daps' leadership will be pivotal in steering the new team towards success.
Stellar Roster Additions
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, better known as Brehze, who transitions from Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old pro reunites with Daps after their initial collaboration in NRG prior to the roster's sale. Following four years with Evil Geniuses and a less than stellar 2023 season, Brehze seeks to recapture his form with NRG.
Josh Ohm, alias oSee, also finds a new beginning with NRG after being benched from Liquid amidst a significant overhaul of their CS2 team. With Liquid paring down to just two players, oSee was compelled to find a new home, which he found within the ranks of NRG.
Jadan Postma, or HexT, is another exciting addition, coming off an 18-month tenure with Evil Geniuses. His departure on November 28 adds to the strategic depth of NRG's lineup.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, known in-game as FaNg. Previously benched following his former organization Complexity's decision to bring Jonathan Jablonowski onboard, FaNg's move opens up a new chapter in his career with NRG.
A Look Back at NRG's Legacy
NRG Esports, established in late 2015, quickly made a name for itself with a CS:GO team that catalyzed the organization's growth and popularity. Initially signing the former Method squad, the team consisted of Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney.
The period between 2018 and 2019 saw NRG's CS:GO team rise to prominence with an all-star ensemble that boasted the likes of Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, this lineup solidified NRG's status as one of the top teams in the region. During this golden era, Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh helmed the coaching responsibilities.
This era was marked by remarkable accomplishments, such as securing a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Subsequent victories under the banner of Evil Geniuses at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8 further underscored the team's prowess.
However, September 2019 witnessed NRG's withdrawal from the competitive CS landscape as it sold its then fourth globally ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The Changing Face of North American CS
NRG's re-entry into CS coincides with a period of significant transition within the North American CS ecosystem. Team Liquid's unexpected relocation from NA to EU and circulating rumors of Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left a noticeable void. With only two major organizations remaining, NRG's return is not just timely but signals a much-needed revitalization of the competitive spirit in the region.
As the dust settles on these shifts, all eyes will be on NRG's newly minted roster. The blend of experience and fresh talent presents an intriguing narrative for the upcoming season. With the stage