RUSH Announces Retirement from Professional Play; Eyes Coaching Role

RUSH Announces Retirement from Professional Play; Eyes Coaching Role

William “RUSH” Wierzba—the only North American player to win a CS:GO Major, securing the ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 with Cloud9—has formally announced his retirement from competitive play after a storied 13-year career.

The 31-year-old rifler began his ascent in 2014 with eLevate, breaking through in 2016 with OpTic by qualifying for the ELEAGUE Season 1 Major. He earned his first (and only) MVP award by defeating Astralis to win ELEAGUE Season 2. His prime followed with Cloud9, where he triumphed in DreamHack Open Denver, iBUYPOWER Masters 2017, and ultimately the ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 over FaZe.

In recent years, RUSH’s form had waned—an online victory at BLAST Spring Europe with Complexity was his last highlight before extended breaks and unremarkable performances with various North American teams. He explained that his decision was driven both by a noticeable drop in individual performance and by a fading passion for pro play:

“My individual skill degraded significantly, or I simply stopped enjoying playing professionally… I never wanted to be the kind of player who gets contracts based only on name and past accolades.” 

Despite his retirement as a player, RUSH expressed a strong interest in staying within the CS scene:

“I’m very interested in the prospect of coaching in CS2, and I believe I would excel in that role. I’d also be open to working an event as talent.” 

Additional Context & Background

Earlier in 2025, RUSH was part of Nouns Esports, but departed following the team's failure to qualify for the BLAST.tv Austin Major regional qualifiers. Financial issues, including a failed funding proposal, contributed to his exit.

After the Nouns disbandment, the roster was rebranded as Moneyball, integrating European talent and leaving North American veterans—including RUSH and adreN—out of the new lineup.

Looking further back, RUSH's departure from Evil Geniuses in 2023 similarly hinted at a future in coaching or support roles; at that time he acknowledged enjoying the mentorship aspect: “He was open to offers as a player and a coach”.

Summary

RUSH’s retirement marks the end of a notable legacy in North American CS:GO—a legacy defined by his Major championship and MVP honors. However, his continued passion and inclination toward coaching suggest that his influence may yet extend beyond the server. Given his experience and leadership, RUSH could become an impactful coach or analyst in CS2's evolving competitive landscape.