The Turbulent Story Of Cloud9 And Their CS Division – Will They Ever Return?

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The story of Cloud9‘s Counter-Strike team, from their beloved creation, through their thrilling victory at the ELEAGUE Boston Major, to the poignant dissolution of their unit, is undeniably one of the most captivating sagas in the annals of esports.

The Beginning: A Fan-Favorite Emerges

In the summer of 2014, Cloud9 debuted in CS:GO with a team that quickly captured the hearts of fans. Notable players such as Michael “shroud” Grzesiek, Jordan “n0thing” Gilbert, and Spencer “Hiko” Martin gained significant popularity, fostering a dedicated fan base for C9. Renowned for their amiable personalities, engaging live streams, and occasional moments of extraordinary skill, this team significantly boosted Cloud9’s reputation in the burgeoning North American CS:GO community.

Over the coming years, Cloud9 maintained a fierce rivalry with Team Liquid in NA Counter-Strike, often leading the pack. However, on the global scene, they consistently missed out on major championships, often reaching quarterfinals and semifinals but never securing a grand title win. Apart from some smaller A-Tier tournaments and one ESL Pro League victory, their performances often fell short of expectations. Spectators appreciated the team’s tenacity and charm, yet feelings of frustration grew as the organization repeatedly faltered in critical moments.

Back in 2016 and 2017, I, as part of C9, realized the call for transformation. We made substantial roster swaps, eventually forming our most triumphant team yet.
Our lineup, consisting of Jacky “Stewie2K” Yip, Timothy “autimatic” Ta, Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham, William “RUSH” Wierzba, and Tarik “tarik” Celik, was a powerhouse of raw talent and untapped potential.

The Miracle in Boston

Back in January 2018, during the ELEAGUE Boston Major, Cloud9 undertook an incredible journey that would etch its name indelibly into the annals of North American Counter-Strike history.

As a diehard fan, I’ve got to say, we started off shaky on the New Legends Stage, finding ourselves dangerously close to being knocked out with a 0-2 record. The pressure was mounting, but something incredible happened – our team reawakened, showing their true mettle by overcoming Virtus Pro, Astralis, and Vega Squadron. This victory secured us a spot in the playoffs. What transpired next was one of the most heart-pounding underdog tales in Major history.

In the playoffs, Cloud9 encountered a challenging lineup of elite teams such as G2 Esports, SK Gaming, and FaZe Clan, all recognized as top-five global squads. Incredibly, against all expectations, Cloud9 triumphed in Boston, securing the first and only Major title for North American teams. The crowd erupted with cheers, and no CS:GO fan will forget Daniel “ddk” Kapadia’s exclamation: “Oh, it’s happened! They pulled it off! Cloud9 are your ELEAGUE Major Champions!

The victory was widely acclaimed as an unprecedented milestone for the area, securing C9’s legendary status within the annals of Counter-Strike.

A Rapid Downfall

The Boston Major signified Cloud9’s zenith, but the triumph was fleeting. In the years that followed, the team grappled with keeping up their pace. Stability within the roster eluded the organization as they continuously rotated players in a futile quest to regain their past greatness. Notable figures like Stewie2K and tarik moved on, leaving an empty space that couldn’t be filled.

From 2019 through 2020, C9 underwent a significant decline. The team, under coach Aleksandar “kassad” Trifunović’s leadership, attempted a blend of North American and international players, but none of these rosters consistently performed well. In the end, it was the failure to qualify for the PGL Stockholm Major in 2021 that proved to be the final blow, prompting C9 to dismantle its CS:GO division altogether.

The Gambit Roster: A New Hope

2022 saw Cloud9 make a comeback by securing the team previously known as Gambit Esports, who had been playing under the neutral “Players” label due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Notable players like Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov and Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov were part of this team, boosting Cloud9’s reputation in CS:GO.

The team tasted victory by clinching IEM Dallas 2022 and scoring high positions at various other tournaments. Both sh1ro and Ax1Le made it onto HLTV’s esteemed list of top 20 players, boosting expectations for a more powerful 2023. Unfortunately, they didn’t qualify for the Paris Major, leading Cloud9 to implement significant adjustments in their roster.

Big Moves, Bigger Problems

In a high-priced deal for esports, Cloud9 brought on Denis “electroNic” Sharipov and Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy from Natus Vincere. There was a great deal of anticipation, but the outcomes fell short of expectations. Instead, their tenure was marked by internal conflicts and uninspired performances, contributing to ongoing instability within the roster.

By 2024, C9’s team composition was disorganized. Star player, sh1ro, departed for Team Spirit and eventually triumphed at the PerfectWorld Shanghai Major. The remaining players struggled to work together effectively, managing to qualify for the playoffs of the PGL Copenhagen Major, but their brilliance was fleeting. A last-ditch effort to restructure the team around Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhaylov in the summer of 2024 also disintegrated.

The End of an Era?

2025 early on, I find myself grappling with the news that my beloved CS division of Cloud9 has disbanded yet again. Ax1Le and Boombl4 are now part of BetBoom, while HeavyGod took over from NiKo in G2. ICY is now a member of Virtus Pro, and interz was let go.

The response from fans has been mixed, particularly regarding the Russian roster project that’s taking shape at Cloud9. Many believe it’s strayed too far from the North American identity that once defined our team.

The question remains: Will Cloud9 make a comeback in Counter-Strike? We’ll just have to wait and find out. Despite being a well-known name in the world of esports, Cloud9 has experienced repeated setbacks in CS:GO and CS2, leaving fans feeling let down. However, with numerous promising young talents emerging from the U.S., like Mason “Lake” Sanderson of M80 or Josh “JBa” Barutt from Wildcard, there may still be a chance for a rebound, potentially through a new North American team. In the meantime, fans can reflect on Cloud9’s ups and downs in Counter-Strike and ponder what might have been.

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2025-01-23 13:09