Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has become one of the biggest esports titles worldwide, with millions of viewers tuning in to tournaments like the Majors and Intel Extreme Masters. While European teams have traditionally dominated the top tier of competition, North American organizations and rosters have made great strides in recent years. This article will provide an overview of some of the most successful and impactful esports organizations in the CS:GO scene. From Europe to North America and beyond, these teams have left their mark on Counter-Strike.
Cloud9
Cloud9 is arguably the most successful North American CS:GO team to date. Formed in 2014 after acquiring compLexity’s roster, they had early success by winning ESL One New York 2014. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that they peaked by becoming the first American team to win a CS:GO Major at the ELEAGUE Boston Major. This historic victory against the top teams in the world signaled that North American Counter-Strike could no longer be ignored.
The Cloud9 roster that won the Major, led by in-game leader Tarik “tarik” Celik, disbanded later in 2018. But Cloud9 continues to field competitive CS:GO lineups, recently adding promising young players like floppy. While they have struggled to replicate their Major-winning form, Cloud9 remains one of the strongest American esports brands associated with CS:GO.
Evil Geniuses
Evil Geniuses (EG) acquired NRG’s successful roster in late 2019, which has continued to achieve high placings at big LAN events under the new banner. With veterans like Peter “stanislaw” Jarguz leading the squad, EG took home first place at IEM Beijing 2019 shortly after forming. They have also reached the playoffs at recent Majors like IEM Katowice 2022.
As one of the longest tenured and most successful North American esports organizations across multiple titles, Evil Geniuses’ venture into CS:GO has added more firepower to the region. Their professional approach to training, analytics, and sports psychology gives them an edge. If EG can maintain consistency and coordination, they have the talent to compete for more international trophies.
Team Liquid
The prolific esports organization Team Liquid is another big American representative in the CS:GO scene. Their international squad featuring stars like Keith “NAF” Markovic and Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski has been a mainstay in the HLTV top 10 rankings since 2018. Liquid notably won the Intel Grand Slam Season 2 by clinching 4 premier event wins in a row, resulting in an additional $1 million prize.
Despite fielding rosters with mixed nationalities, Liquid was founded in the Netherlands with headquarters in Los Angeles. The organization’s emphasis on building superteams regardless of region is an interesting approach. And while Liquid has come up short at Majors, their stacked lineups have proved North Americans like NAF can thrive on international all-star teams.
100 Thieves
Founded by former Call of Duty professional Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag in 2017, 100 Thieves has rapidly become one of the most popular lifestyle and apparel brands in gaming. After picking up Vito “kNgV-” Giuseppe and crew from Immortals in late 2017, 100 Thieves also threw their hat in the CS:GO ring.
Despite limited success competitively, 100 Thieves have contributed to the rising prominence of North American CS:GO through their stylish merchandising and signings of players like jks and jkaem in 2021. The organization’s renegade spirit has expanded the possibilities for how esports brands can uniquely mesh gaming, lifestyle, and apparel.
The growth of strong North American esports organizations has paralleled the region’s increasing competitiveness in the global CS:GO scene. Cloud9’s Major victory and Team Liquid’s Intel Grand Slam win have proven that international trophies are no longer out of reach for American teams. With organizations like EG, 100 Thieves, and others continuing to support exciting lineups, expect more stars and stripes at the top levels of Counter-Strike in the years to come.
Astralis
No CS:GO organization has dominated like the Danish powerhouse Astralis. Their sustained period of domestic and international triumph from 2018-2019, dubbed the “Astralis Era,” saw them win 4 Major Championships and 8 premier tournaments consecutively.
Led by innovative in-game leader Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, Astralis’ success lies in their meticulous study of tactics, utility usage, and opponents. Their structured yet adaptable style of play has set new standards in the pro scene. While they’ve slipped from their peak, Astralis remains a resilient and resourceful team.
Natus Vincere
Ukranian esports organization Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) is home to CS:GO’s most electrifying superstar, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, s1mple’s outrageous mechanical skill and game sense has powered Na’Vi to multiple Major finals and tournament wins.
Beyond s1mple, Na’Vi houses other legends like Denis “electronic” Sharipov. Their bold playmaking and coordination make Na’Vi a threat at any event. As an organization, Na’Vi has built its brand around s1mple’s brilliance and maintains devoted fan support across Eastern Europe.
FaZe Clan
Known for housing some of the most skilled individual players, FaZe Clan’s international CS:GO roster has chased glory both as a team and through its stars. Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s leadership guided FaZe to trophy wins at IEM Sydney 2018 and other events during their peak.
Though falling short of a Major title, FaZe’s firepower has kept them relevant. Flashy young guns like Helvijs “broky” Saukants now carry the torch alongside veterans like Nikola “NiKo” Kovač. FaZe’s fame and success extends far beyond Counter-Strike as well, given their status as a multimedia esports empire.
G2 Esports
One of the fastest rising teams in CS:GO’s upper echelon is G2 Esports. Their current international lineup featuring m0nesy, huNter-, and NiKo has rapidly ascended the rankings after forming in 2021. Elsewhere, G2 houses the legendary NiP core of f0rest and GeT_RiGhT in their G2 Arctic CS:GO roster.
Led by founder and CEO Carlos “ocelote” Rodríguez, G2 has invested heavily in infrastructure, training facilities, and nutrition to support their players. Their ambition to win it all has already paid dividends through triumphs at IEM Katowice 2022 and other events.
| Team | Region | Notable Players | Biggest Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud9 | North America | Tarik “tarik” Celik | 2018 ELEAGUE Boston Major |
| Evil Geniuses | North America | Peter “stanislaw” Jarguz | IEM Beijing 2019 |
| Team Liquid | North America | Keith “NAF” Markovic, Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski | Intel Grand Slam Season 2 |
| 100 Thieves | North America | Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag | 2nd at IEM Beijing 2019 |
| Astralis | Denmark | gla1ve, Xyp9x | 4 Major wins |
| Natus Vincere | Ukraine | s1mple, electronic | Intel Grand Slam S3 win |
| FaZe Clan | International | karrigan, broky | IEM Sydney 2018 champs |
| G2 Esports | International | NiKo, huNter- | IEM Katowice 2022 winners |
To sum up, the growth of Counter-Strike into a tier one esport has been fueled by storied organizations cultivating elite talent. Teams like Astralis, Na’Vi, Team Liquid, FaZe, Evil Geniuses and G2 have not only won trophies but built engaged fan bases through competition and content creation. Their continuous drive for excellence will further advance the esport in the years ahead.
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