Third Impact Finalize New CS:GO Roster

North American Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team Third Impact finalized its new CS:GO roster on Monday, April 18, adding two new members. It marks the first roster change of the team since January 2022, when Third Impact rebuilt its CS:GO division.

Third Impact unveiled its new CS:GO lineup on Monday when the team signed Matthew “D4rtyMontana” Paplawskas and Austin “mesamiduck” Dardar. Duo joins the team as a replacement for Jack “xCeeD” Holiman and James “JAM” H, who left the team earlier this month.

D4rtyMontana and mesamiduck will team up the trio of Jeff “RZU” Ngo, Brennan “grape” Greer, and Keanu “Danejoris” Reyes, who have been with the team since January. Most notably, mesamiduck has been appointed the role of an in-game leader, and it marks a massive step in his career.

Mesamiduck is a fairly unknown name in the professional CS:GO scene, having been mostly competing in ESEA’s divisions. However, even in the lower division tournaments, mesamiduck has proven his worth, showing that he is worthy of being given a chance to play in the big leagues.

He won Main during the ESEA Season 39 and has made playoffs during his first season in ESEA Advanced with Rectify. But even though mesamiduck is a relatively inexperienced in-game leader, Third Impact decided to give him a shot.

As stated by Danejoris, Third Impact decided to take the gamble mainly due to the lack of available in-game leaders with experience competing in ECL.

D4rtyMontana also joins Third Impact as a relatively unknown name. Last season, he played as a stand-in for Strife during ESL Challenger League Season 40 and has posted a 0.91 rating over 18 maps.

Although not a very convincing showing from the young player, Third Impact hope that giving D4rtyMontana a permanent role in the team and time to adapt will improve his performance.

With a new lineup, Third Impact will look to make a strong impression in the NA CS:GO scene after months of subpar showings.

Third Impact entered the CS:GO scene way back in 2019 but never emerged as one of NA’s top teams. Early, Third Impact have achieved some success; however, that came mostly in some lesser tournaments.

Third Impact has claimed several ESEA Main and Advanced titles throughout the team’s history but struggled to deliver in international events. Most notably, Third Impact failed to qualify for the first season of Flashpoint.

The team’s performances in 2022 were no different, unfortunately. The team even struggled in the ESEA Cash Cup: North America – Winter 2022 #3 and #4, finishing in fifth-eighth place, to which they added another disappointing showing at Mythic Winter Cup 2022 #2, where the North American squad placed third-fourth.

In March, Third Impact attended two open qualifiers for the PGL Major Antwerp American RMR but could only manage a ninth-16th and fifth-eighth place finish.

But it seems like the last straw that ushered in the recent roster changes was Third Impact’s poor showing in ESL Challenger League Season 40: North America. There, the team placed 13th-14th, but they did manage to keep their spot in the league by winning the relegations.

On a more positive note, Third Impact placed third at ESEA Cash Cup: North America – Spring 2022 #2 earlier this month and are currently competing in the first IEM Dallas open qualifier. Third Impact won their first series against Rectify Esports (16-7) and are just two series away from the closed qualifiers.

Their next opponents are Carpe Diem, a win against whom would lead Third Impact into the final match, where they’ll face the winner of Unjustified Gaming vs ATK series.