EARL STRICKLAND Returns to TEAM USA

sjm said:
It's not that shocking that Earl was picked, and it will surely generate ratings for Matchroom. If it compromised the chances of Team USA, this year, it is not by much, as any team that the US put together would be a heavy underdog.

All that said, this pick is a joke. Participation in events on the US Pool calendar should be a requisite for selection, and Earl barely ever competes in US based events. The Mosconi spot has always been a big incentive for American hopeful to compete as often as possible, but now, a precedent has been set that a Mosconi Cup spot is available to those that compete as well as those who do not. It sends out the wrong message to those who aspire to earn a spot on the team and one must wonder what the criteria really are for inclusion on the team. Of course, this renders ridiculous the recent Matchroom announcement that Justin Bergman would not be considered for a Team USA spot because he wasn't committed to being a full-time professional pool player.

This selection devalues the US based pool events, which are seemingly no longer the stepping stone to Mosconi selection, and that's not good news for pro pool in America, and it may hurt participation levels down the road.

Let's see if success in Matchroom events ultimately figures in the selection process. At the World Pool Championships, the only three Americans reaching stage 2 were Shane, Skyler and Jeremy Sossei. A Sossei pick for Team USA might soften the blow for me. Then again, maybe performance by Americans in Europe-based events is also not weighed in evidence when the picks are made.

The only possible justification for this selection is that another massacre like we got in 2020 at the Mosconi would endanger the continuation of the Mosconi Cup itself by causing poor viewer ratings. Perhaps that's the reasoning here, and if so, America has shot itself in the foot by failing to nurture and develop new talent in professional pool.
Click to expand...
I'm with you on this one Stu. Even when Team USA were heavy underdogs, the MC was never a farce. What business does a washed up player like Earl have on this team, other than to hopefully garner television ratings due to his ineptitude and lack of self control. We may not be a match for Team Europe but there are at least a dozen players who deserve to be on this team ahead of Earl. Make that two dozen! I hope he makes me eat my words, but I doubt that will happen. More likely will be missed shots, bad behavior, profanity bleeped out and possible ugliness. Earl's lack of self control will manifest itself. Of that I'm fairly certain. And all the Brits can once again laugh at the uncivlized and uncouth Americans. They enjoy that
 
pwd72s said:
I have trouble understanding any intimidation factor when it comes to pool. I mean, why be intimidated? It's not exactly like stepping into the ring with Tyson Fury...it's just pool, only egos and wallets get hurt.

Screw it! Go USA! Go Earl! Should you lose, none of you will be rushed to a hospital....you lose, that's all.
Click to expand...
I use to say we ain’t playing for fingers man , it’s not a big deal really lol !!!! You are exactly right bud
 
spartan said:
My goodness :ROFLMAO:

matchroompool.com

EARL STRICKLAND RETURNS TO TEAM USA - Matchroom Pool

Mosconi Cup legend Earl Strickland will return to Team USA for the first time since 2013 at Alexandra Palace, London, December 7-10 as Jeremy Jones’ first wild card pick. BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE The Pearl has won the joint-most amount of Mosconi Cup titles with nine and will go on the hunt for a...
matchroompool.com matchroompool.com
Click to expand...
I knew yesterday there would be a voluminous thread on AzBilliards Discussion Forum about Earl being chosen for Team USA.

Here's my thoughts. It is important to remember the existing lot of American professional players is dwindling each year. To be honest, this could be our last Mosconi Cup if American pool does not gain in popularity and produce some new blood.

It has already been announced that Justin Bergman will not be attending by Emily Frazer. Some say it's a political move by Matchroom. I say it's Justin's choice. One year, he had health issues, and I have been told he absolutely does not like to fly in airplanes, so I do understand. I don't either.

There is another American pro who is out of the running for undisclosed reasons.

Who does that leave? I can see Oscar and Tyler at this juncture. Tyler is actively shooting in tournaments, currently ranked 8th on WPA scale. Oscar is running a business in California, but he's still shooting.

Earl Strickland is also still shooting pool actively in various events. Say what you want about him, he puts 100 percent effort into practice and competition. USA does not have a lot of choices, and I think he was a logical choice.

Of course, Matchroom et al. know that his selection would bring a lot of attention to this year's Mosconi Cup, good and bad. Personally, love him or hate him, I think Earl Strickland deserves a modicum of respect as an American champion who's held the best player category in USA for longer than anybody else to date. Shane gets along with Earl, and that's a bonus.

Rather than tear him apart on flame threads, maybe we should try to support Team USA. I hate to sound like Ms. Debbie Downer, but this could be the beginning of the end of pool as we know it. Matchroom is already going to create a UK Open tournament simulating the US Open. Soon all things great in the pool world will be in Great Britain. That's great for some folk, not so great for others. I am annoyed that the photos they choose for Earl on Matchroom ads have a not-so-flattering Earl face. Why not choose a better one? Matchroom is going to milk it for all they can get, at Earl's expense.

Long live Earl Strickland and American pool. I'm going to be a loyal fan for as long as I can and hope Team USA can
prove all the naysayers wrong. Let's try to pump up the team instead creating all the negativity before they even get started. USA, ALL THE WAY!

Eagle Arms.gif
 
Last edited:
ChicagoRJ said:
How do I get in touch with Earl? I'm sure he won't mind another paid sponsor. If he's going across the pond, might as well make as much cash as he can. I'm ready and willing to sponsor Earl. If anyone knows how to contact him, let me know. I spent a weekend with Earl when he played Archer in 2013 in Nebraska. That most fun I ever had at a pool tourney. Time to pay it forward, lol
Click to expand...
Contact Diana Hoppe. She is in touch with Earl on a regular basis, helping him sell some pool-related items. She is on Facebook.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KRJ
I bet Matchroom is behind this, wanting a 'show' for the brawling fans in attendance. They sacrificed the USA team in the process, but I guess nobody cares, MC is just a cherry on the cake for the players at the end of the year.

Congratulations Europe. Commiserations USA and poolfans all over the world who wanted to see a real competition.
 
SomeDeadGuy said:
Could it be to light a fire under SVB? I really hope Earl can catch a streak for old times sake….but it might say more about US players post CoVid.
Click to expand...
That’s a huge factor, take that from me to the bank. I can’t go into details at all here, but whether you know it or not, you are 10000000% correct. Trust me on this one, I been to plenty of Mcups in the back room, know SVB real good and the others too.

I can’t say more cause that ain’t cool, nor will I ever. But this move was the best move JJ could possibly have made. Period.

can we win? Dunno, but we got a better chance now than before.

Fatboy Approved
 
hotelyorba said:
I bet Matchroom is behind this, wanting a 'show' for the brawling fans in attendance. They sacrificed the USA team in the process, but I guess nobody cares, MC is just a cherry on the cake for the players at the end of the year.

Congratulations Europe. Commiserations USA and poolfans all over the world who wanted to see a real competition.
Click to expand...
Respectfully I disagree, I hope I’m right. It’s not a lock, anything can happen.

It will increase viewership a ton, but MR isn’t looking for a train wreck, they are playing a longer game than that. I firmly believe that. I been pretty close around this for a long time, spoke to Barry Hearn, watched him with snooker over the past 36 years. I don’t think they will sellout this event for good ratings one time. I just don’t see that being the play for MR.

JJ is smart, period. This was his move I believe wholeheartedly, and he probably had to get it cleared with MR (strictly a guess on my part) to be clear.


watch SVB’s performance this year if nothing else. You’ll see

enough on this one, I’m excited now too. Great things happening in pool!! What could be better

best
Fatboy 🤠🚀
 
dukblowz said:
SVB threatened to pull out unless Earl got a spot. SVB felt like filler and company have been messing with earl too much especially after what happened at 14.1
Click to expand...

shane is not the captain though. and what happened at the 14.1 was directed at a fellow american player. so that doesn't make sense
 
sammylane12 said:
The guy is 60 years old for Christ`s sake. He will be lucky not to be humiliated.
Click to expand...
Not about him(Earl) it’s JJ building a team, no one person wins or loses the mcup. JJ made a very good decision to get the most out of the rest of his team. Throwing in so 900 fargo kid with no experience isn’t strong as picking Earl, to do what JJ needs him to do. Which I will never discuss in public. There’s 5X maybe more of thought, work, chemistry and intangibles to building a team. JJ gets that concept as good as anyone in pool. Johan as well, have to give credit where it’s do.

watch the team around Earl, as long as Earl will keep it cool we have better chances. I believe Earl will be a toned down version of himself. Earl is super patriotic too, he’s been playing nonstop 7 days a week on a hard wet table. He’s fit as can be. And he’s still Earl, won his match double hill against that Polish guy

im done, said my part, good luck to all

best
Fatboy🤩
 
So much stupidity.... so little time. The more I read, the more i feel like I'm in the 1st story of a 2 story shit house.
 
Fatboy said:
Respectfully I disagree, I hope I’m right. It’s not a lock, anything can happen.

It will increase viewership a ton, but MR isn’t looking for a train wreck, they are playing a longer game than that. I firmly believe that. I been pretty close around this for a long time, spoke to Barry Hearn, watched him with snooker over the past 36 years. I don’t think they will sellout this event for good ratings one time. I just don’t see that being the play for MR.

JJ is smart, period. This was his move I believe wholeheartedly, and he probably had to get it cleared with MR (strictly a guess on my part) to be clear.


watch SVB’s performance this year if nothing else. You’ll see

enough on this one, I’m excited now too. Great things happening in pool!! What could be better

best
Fatboy 🤠🚀
Click to expand...

The Matchroom promo video for Earl's selection begins with him breaking his cue and then is a montage of his crazy behavior. This has nothing to do with shooting pool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top