TSM to return to Counter-Strike with dupreeh as main gunner

As we reported three months ago, one of the most popular North American esports organizations, TSM, is very close to returning to the competitive Counter-Strike scene. However, this return seems to be planned for the transition to CS2, so they still have a bit of time to assemble their player roster.

In the last few hours, many rumors have surfaced regarding the players TSM has in their sights to make up a powerful Counter-Strike lineup. Furthermore, all of these players (mostly European) would be led by gaming legend and five-time Major winner Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen.

This would mark TSM’s return to the competitive Counter-Strike scene after a six-year absence. Moreover, the plans are very clear: they want to come back “stronger” than ever and with a lineup that will compete to be among the best in the world.

Reports indicate that TSM are analyzing its options in Europe

According to a report published on the web portal 1pv.fr a few hours ago, TSM would be looking for top European players to make up its Counter-Strike 2 squad.

Team SoloMid is currently scouting the market, interested in different players to create a team, including dupreeh. Here is my report.https://t.co/Y91k9lIpFC

— neL (@neLendirekt) June 26, 2023

By now sound like a handful of names that are undoubtedly well known throughout the gaming community. We’re talking about dupreeh, former BIG AWPer Florian “syrsoN” Rische, and 30-year-old French riffler Audric “JACKZ” Jug. In addition, according to the report published last June 26, TSM would be in contact with former G2 Esports Head Coach Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam to lead this project.

These names are true of very experienced players and, for many, could be very close to retirement. However, players of this caliber are perfect for making up a new lineup and, more importantly, transitioning to a new game. As a result, they could have a better disposition when it comes to solidifying the team, as the experience and success they have had in their career would be fundamental to achieving this.

TSM and their intention to return to the Counter-Strike scene

TSM announced they wanted to return to the competitive Counter-Strike scene in October 2022 with a purely European player roster. In addition, it was also announced in February that the organization was looking for a new “general manager” to lead this project.

However, from that moment, everything was kept quiet, and, with the peak of the season, many fans began to think that TSM would continue with his return plans. On the other hand, if we included the reports regarding the financial problems that the organization would have, we were all practically sure that the return would be a miracle.

If the rumors are confirmed, and the organization returns to the scene, there is no better time than now. With the transition to CS2 that all the teams must make, anyone can be on top at the drop of a hat. Plus, there are a lot of players in free agency right now, some restricted and some unrestricted, as many teams want to build their ideal lineup to try to dominate the new title from the get-go.

Coveted free agents

The three players we mentioned, dupreeh, JACKZ, and syrsoN, are in Free Agency right now. For example, speaking specifically about dupreeh, we have that Team Vitality surprised everyone by releasing him last June 22 after announcing the signing of Shahar “flameZ” Shushan. As a result, the most awarded player in CS:GO history is looking for a new home, and, according to his statements, he wants to play for a team that will allow him to win the first CS2 Major in March 2024. In addition, dupreeh was part of TSM in 2015, one season before joining the powerful Astralis lineup that won it all in 2016.

JACKZ and XTQZZZ have no contract with any team, so they are Unrestricted Free Agents. Whereas syrsoN is on BIG’s bench, he can explore his options to get a new home.

As mentioned, this is the perfect time for TSM if they want to return to the competitive Counter-Strike scene. Moreover, they can sign talented, experienced, and winning-blooded players without investing huge amounts of money.

Recall that TSM has been out of the Counter-Strike scene since the 2017 season when they fielded an NA roster with the likes of Sean “seang@res” Gares, Timothy “autimatic” Ta, Shahzeeb “ShahZaM” Khan and Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken.

Header: TSM