FaZe Swaps Broky for S1mple in Bold Move Before the Major

Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has officially joined FaZe Clan. He joins Coach NEO’s side on a loan from NAVI. The Ukrainian will take over as the team’s AWPer for two tournaments. Here, I explain the reasoning behind this decision and examine what s1mple could bring to the Austin major. I also express my perspective on what lies ahead for him.

Why Did s1mple Go on Loan to FaZe?

S1mple last competed with Team Falcons in November 2024. Although he is still a NAVI player, FaZe has loaned him for the Austin Major. With this decision, FaZe attempts to improve their recent tournament results.

Following poor placements in almost all S-tier tournaments this year, FaZe needed a change. Based on the choice of s1mple, the organisation clearly views him as the solution. Here are the details surrounding the loan.

Leave from Competition: s1mple stepped back from NAVI’s roster in October 2023, citing personal reasons and legal complications.
FaZe’s Struggles: With only two top-four finishes at PGL events, the team lacked firepower, which demanded a roster reshuffle.
Strategic Loan: This contract lets FaZe use s1mple’s skills for a short period and evaluate him beforehand to see if it’s a good fit.
Major Aspirations: His experience will be valuable as FaZe look to win the Austin Major and turn their season around.

The risks of this move fall squarely on FaZe’s CS2 team. It’s no exaggeration to say that S1mple returning to top form would change the course of their season. However, integrating a player of his stature within a short window is no easy task.

FaZe Swaps Broky 1

Who Will S1mple Replace in FaZe’s Lineup?

With broky underperforming, S1mple joins the FaZe CS2 roster as his replacement. The Latvian has been left out of the squad due to form. However, it has not always been that way. Broky’s put in several top-tier displays for FaZe in recent years. His eighth-place finish on HLTV’s 2024 CS2 world ranking shows his abilities.

Compared to 2024, his 2025 season has been disappointing. The Latvian has recorded several sub-1.00 matches this year. As a result, he is now out of the team. This is bad news for broky, yet remains a fan favourite for many.

The Latvian has won eleven CS2 titles so far, including the unforgettable Major CS2 title at PGL Antwerp 2022. Personal accolades include three MVPs and 17 EVPs. As it stands, his future with FaZe is in doubt. The European organisation may look to accept offers from other teams. However, there is still a chance he could return to the team.

FaZe Swaps Broky 2

Which Tournaments Will s1mple Play In?

s1mple cs2 loan move to FaZe clan will see him participate in IEM Dallas and the BLAST.tv Austin Major. His debut at IEM Dallas drew over 800,000 peak viewers. A clear sign of strong interest in his return.

FaZe lost 0–2 to Liquid in their Dallas opener, but bounced back with a win against BC.Game. Eventually, they lost to HEROIC in the lower-bracket semifinal. Despite another poor outing in the tournament, s1mple still emerged as FaZe’s top performer with a 1.35 rating, 0.27.

S1mple will hope to build on his debut performance before the all-important Austin Major. With his loan deal expiring, he has one more tournament to prove his worth. FaZe will begin the Austin Major from stage 2, while NAVI will join from stage 3. With both sides in the competition, we could see S1mple battle against NaVi in Austin.

FaZe Swaps Broky 3

How Will s1mple’s Loan Affect the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025?

s1mple cs2 arrival at FaZe Clan for the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is the tournament’s headline story. His aggressive AWPing style will certainly add an element of chaos to FaZe’s disciplined tactical system.

The biggest question lies in how quickly he can connect with karrigan, EliGE, skullz, and frozen. This could prove difficult due to FaZe’s communication-heavy system. However, s1mple’s extensive experience should see him adjust quickly.

s1mple was not at his best at IEM Dallas; he did seem to be hitting his stride as FaZe’s best player. The Ukrainian had a 1.11 rating in that contest. There were also poor moments in Dallas. For example, against Heroic, s1mple scored a 0.85 rating across three maps. Improvements are expected from him as FaZe heads to Austin, Texas.

The hype surrounding this tournament is unprecedented. Many see this loan as a sign of FaZe’s intention to fight for the Major win. S1mple’s reunion with top-tier CS2 could produce moments of magic. A solid outing from the new FaZe man could see his side emerge as a title contender.

This tournament could get dramatic soon with the possibility of a matchup between FaZe and NaVi. In the meantime, S1mple will look to develop chemistry with his teammates ahead of this competition. If you’d like to use a reliable predictions site for FaZe’s matches and other tournament contenders, MelBet Pick’em is your platform.

FaZe Swaps Broky 4

Why is S1mple’s Return Noteworthy?

S1mple’s loan move marks a massive moment in CS2. Here’s why I think it’s attracting so much attention:

Extended Absence: The Ukrainian last played in November 2024. Such a lengthy break for a top CS-2 player of his stature creates lots of buzz when a comeback is announced.
CS2 Debut with a New Team (Effectively): Although he is still contracted to NAVI, he has yet to play for his parent team in an official CS2 setting. His brief and unsuccessful loan stint with Team Falcons was his only taste of CS2 pro play. As a result, this FaZe debut is an important occasion. His performance will indicate if he is still competitive.
First Major Test of Form: After a long period out and an underwhelming outing at the IEM Dallas, the upcoming BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 will be a litmus test for him. It will reveal s1mple’s current form in the game’s new iteration.

A CS2 legend is back in action after an extended break. It remains to be seen how he performs, but I am excited to see the “GOAT” back in a Major CS2 event.

What Will Happen to s1mple’s Career After the Loan?

With is loan move set to conclude after the Austin Major 2025, many are already inquisitive about his next move. Where is s1mple next destination?. His NAVI contract runs through 2025, but recent comments suggest he’s exploring future options.

This FaZe stint could be a high-profile audition or a way to stay sharp. Several outcomes are possible: FaZe might consider a permanent deal if the loan proves highly successful. However, they would need to weigh the implications.

Based on recent trends, returning to NAVI is unlikely, while joining a new team to start fresh in CS2 seems most realistic. Although retirement is a distant possibility, s1mple’s competitive fire still burns brightly.

What’s clear is that his future is wide open, and fans are eager to see what’s next. Whether he stays, returns, or moves on, one thing is certain: this loan has reignited the buzz around one of Counter-Strike’s all-time greats. The next chapter of this CS2 player’s journey is already in motion.

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Author Bat-Erdene Ganbold

Pick'em and analytics expert for esports tournaments. In the scene since 2017, known for over 75% prediction accuracy and consistently ranking high in CS and Dota Pick'em challenges. Writes guides, tracks underdog teams, and plays in an amateur CS2 squad.