OG release ISSAA from their Counter-Strike lineup

Due to the Counter-Strike roster for OG’s recent unsatisfactory results, analysts called on the organization to make their first roster changes ahead of ESL Pro League. The organization gave in and released Nathan “NBK” Schmitt and brought in Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen from Heroic. However, following a disappointing set of results at the tournament, the team also released Issa “ISSAA” Murad from the active lineup.

Q. How do you tell the difference between ISSA and Jar Jar Binks?

A. One is an annoying idiot who seems out of place and doesn't add anything meaningful to the discourse and the other is from Star Wars.

— Thorin (@Thorin) March 10, 2021

While ISSAA may end some games on top of the scoreboard, he’s also on the bottom more often than not. However, this isn’t his fault. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem as tournaments are usually played on LAN. But, the restrictions resulting from the pandemic have led to tournaments being played online. Due to where ISSAA lives, he continuously plays on higher ping compared to the rest of the players. So, while he may get 31 kills in some games, in others he only gets five.

.@OG_ISSAA and the rest of the team have mutually agreed to part ways.

Thank you for your unmatched energy in the past 15 months and for the challenges faced together.

The Beast from the East won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

🌻 Roster update: https://t.co/yHG3QqVNSq#DreamOG pic.twitter.com/t9xM6BjYQv

— OG CS:GO (@OGcsgo) March 16, 2021

OG adjusts to changes after releasing ISSAA

In OG’s statement, the organization said that they are taking the “extra steps to ensure OG CS:GO 2021 will be a top contender for the remaining of the year.” Since forming 15 months ago, OG has yet to win a tournament. Their best placings, so far, have been second place at both Flashpoint Season two and IEM New York Online: Europe.

After releasing NBK, OG signed niko to fill the support role. But, with ISSAA gone, they will need a new rifler. With the recent disbanding of North, c0ntact, and MIBR, there are several top riflers that OG could sign to replace ISSAA. Some options include Fernando “fer” Alvarenga, Philip “aizy” Aistrup and Rokas “EspiranTo” Milasauskas.

OG’s current roster is below:
Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
Valdemar “valde” Vangså
Mateusz “mantuu” Wilczewski
Casper “ruggah” Due (coach)
Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen (stand-in)

Finally, it is unclear if OG will keep niko, who played as a stand-in for the roster during their week one ESL Pro League matches. In his matches, he played great and would definitely be a good addition to the roster.