2026 Mosconi Cup Team USA
- Thread starter JAM
- Start date
Wrong. Any young US player would basically force an already less talented Team USA to play with one hand behind its back. Just throwing out a young guy would be the height of folly
I've suggested a similar idea.
This year, MR has little choice. I do expect some changes in the future.
8intheside
Well-known member
I remember when wildcards with Matchroom were promoter's choice.
Billy is a little more than hype man. He can play some. Better than most, IMO. What is his Fargo? Just curious.
... as are almost all the 750-799 players, but winning at the Mosconi is not about occasional brilliance, it's about sustained excellence. Finally, Bergman played nothing but eight ball for years, while the top players play it once or twice a year. Are we really to read much into those results? Let me know if they switch the Mosconi Cup to 8ball. Of course, I want Bergman on my team if that happens.
While we know how well he played nine ball ten years ago, we don't really know whether Bergman can hang with the elite at 9ball today because he never makes it far enough to draw them at WNT events. What we do know is this. WNT play is his first ever taste of major tournament play on 4" pockets and he has not looked like a very capable pocketer on the really tight equipment. FYI, the World 8ball was contested on tables a little looser than WNT specs, but even there, playing his best game, he managed just 17th place. Now, he'll face a European squad consisting entirely of guys who are used to the high pressure that comes with getting to a major semifinal or better.
Who knows? Maybe Justin will play perfect pool at the Mosconi Cup. I like him and it would make me very happy. I will cheer as hard as anyone for him. I just don't see it coming.
8intheside
Well-known member
Well, we'll have to momentarily throw out the participation requirements that would make them eligible, but if you'll allow me that: 1) Lukas Verner, 2) Lazaro Martinez, 3) Sam Henderson, 4) Nathan Childress, 5) Eric Roberts, 6) Landon Hollingsworth and 7) Payne McBride.
No, he isn't, but I might entertain "slight upgrade." To my knowledge, neither has ever won a major championship at 9ball or 10ball.
8intheside
Well-known member
Good post. I agree with most of it. We understand that Tea USA will, perforce, have some guys on it that had very weak campaigns in 2026, but that does not mean that they don't deserve their spots.
I agree that Justin is better than Billy strategically, but only by a little. Billy is definitely a top five American strategically, too. His great imagination and phenomenal speed control are part of what make him so tough to beat at both bank pool and one pocket.
The idea of going young was introduced by Johan Ruijsink during his first stint as coach of Team USA last decade. He went with the young, untested, and largely unproven Tyler Styer in 2018. Most of us on the forum were quite surprised by the selection for, on merit, Tyler probably did not belong. Then we saw what Johan saw. With Tyler playing well, Team USA won the Mosconi Cup in 2018, and a year wiser, Tyler helped them win in 2019, as well.
Unfortunately, no coach since Johan has taken a chance on a young player in a similar manner. Correction: Wolford was young when selected and, relative to expectations, was probably the top performer on Team USA. Still, we seem to refuse to develop players for the future at the Mosconi, and I think it is a mistake.
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team europe is a massive favorite no matter who they pick
8intheside
Well-known member
That’s true, but we still need the best Americans we can and Justin is one of them.
uk_9_ball_convert
Well-known member
I like the idea suggested by a few people of the requirement to play an under 25 debutant. Think it would be fun and keep it fresh.
Not sure it helps America's chances though, Europe had a player meeting those requirements last year in Neuhausen and there would be a few good Europeans eligible for that spot this year in Souto, Kledio Kaci and Felix Vogel. Mind you in 4 years time Europe might be struggling for a good pick for that spot.
Not sure it helps America's chances though, Europe had a player meeting those requirements last year in Neuhausen and there would be a few good Europeans eligible for that spot this year in Souto, Kledio Kaci and Felix Vogel. Mind you in 4 years time Europe might be struggling for a good pick for that spot.
Very thin gruel. Very thin.
Verner, as you already reported, is still hurting from his car injuries.
Laz Martinez has only played in one single Matchroom event in his young career, from what I could find. Battle of the Bull in 2025, it seems. He didnt even play in the US Open this year even though it was in his home state of Texas.
Sam Henderson has promise, but he has no real big wins over top players or any high-place finishes in 9 ball.
Childress had a good year and pulled off his first real big wins (Moritz Neuhausen). Maybe in a year or two.
Eric Roberts improved, but had less success than Childress. Not ready for prime time.
Landon Hollingsworth played in only a few WNT events this year. He did have a nice run at the Vice City Open, but no real big wins.
Payne McBride was probably the best of the lot among this group after accounting for Verner's injury. Only real good win this year was over Felix Vogel.
Ok, maybe I do recognize all of those names, but which one(s) will be able to hold their own against any of the picked Americans, much less he Euro's? Outside of an upset, I don't think they can. Or are you just saying you want them to get the experience too?
And yes I realize we will need there to be "upsets" in order to win anyway... thats not the point here.
i agree. i like justin's game, but he seems to play worse with the cf cue than he did with the kielwood.. obviously he needed a sponsor, i get that
