In a strategic move signaling its re-entry into the competitive Counter Strike arena with CS2, NRG Esports has unveiled a new North American roster. This announcement was made in a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, putting an end to the speculation that had been mounting over the past few weeks. The organization confirmed their plans during an episode of the "The Crossover" podcast, a popular League of Legends show, where Miller shared the news of their return to compete primarily in the North American region.
NRG's Experienced Leadership
The newly formed team will be led by veteran CS player Damian Steele, known in the gaming community as Daps. At 30 years old, Daps is no stranger to the esports scene, having accumulated an impressive list of achievements throughout his career. His experience extends beyond playing; he served as a coach for Team Liquid in both 2022 and 2023. Daps' history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, although he left just prior to the sale of the organization's former CS:GO roster.
A Blend of Talent and Familiar Faces
Daps is joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who returns to NRG from Evil Geniuses. The 25-year-old player previously competed with Daps on the NRG roster before it was sold. After spending four years with Evil Geniuses and experiencing a less than stellar 2023 season, Brehze decided to make his way back to NRG.
Another significant addition to the team is Josh Ohm, or oSee, coming from Liquid after being benched earlier in the month. Liquid's decision to reduce their CS2 team to two players prompted oSee to find a new team, which led him to NRG.
Jadan Postma, known as HexT, has also signed with NRG. He left Evil Geniuses on November 28, ending an 18-month stint with the organization. His arrival strengthens the NRG lineup even further.
Completing the roster is Justin Coakley, better known as FaNg. Previously benched by Complexity to make room for Jonathan Jablonowski, FaNg found an opportunity for a fresh start with NRG.
NRG Esports' Legacy in CS
Since its inception in late 2015, NRG Esports has been a prominent name in the North American esports landscape. The organization's initial foray into CS:GO was marked by signing the former Method squad, consisting of Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney. This move helped establish NRG's early growth and popularity within the esports community.
NRG's CS:GO team hit its stride between 2018 and 2019, assembling an all-star cast including Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz. Alongside Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov, and under the coaching of Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh, the team became a powerhouse in the region. Their notable achievements include a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. Following their acquisition by Evil Geniuses, they continued their success with victories at the 2019 ESL One: New York and StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, in September 2019, NRG withdrew from the competitive CS scene, selling its top-ranked roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, according to esports insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier. This sale marked the end of an era for NRG in CS, but not the conclusion of their journey.
Shifting Dynamics in North American CS
NRG's comeback arrives amidst a period of considerable change within the North American CS ecosystem. Team Liquid's unexpected relocation from NA to EU and swirling rumors about Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports have left the NA scene in a state of flux, with only a handful of major organizations remaining.
With this backdrop, NRG's re-entry into CS with a seasoned leader like Daps and a mix of experienced and promising talent could be the catalyst for a revitalized North American presence in the global CS2 competition. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as NRG takes to the servers once again, aiming to reclaim and surpass their former glory.