It will be unconventional, outside the box thinking that can provide a chance to win in an era where USA pool is no longer a world-leader.
Going with the highest ranked isn't always the best team.
I doubt team chemistry has much to do with it. The only "chemistry" you need is to avoid in-fighting or conflicts. That's a given.
Maybe some of the players who've been there before have not shown true dedication to winning it. Maybe they aren't as committed as they could be - because they getting paid win or lose and are at a point in their life and career where they just need a pay check.
With the deplorable state that pool is in, with the lack of cash - 2nd place at the MC is still good for most American players.
Think about that.
Now, in some years Europe clearly fielded a superior team. In other years, they did not field their best and still won.
Going with NEW and YOUNG players has two key factors, one a pro the other a con.
The Pro is that they are HUNGRY to win it, not only for the cash, but for the prestige for their career. They want it. They need it. Dream come true stuff. Puts them on the map. Someone who has won major tournaments in the past might not be so motivated...
The Con is that they are green. Lack of experience. Against that kind of competition, in that kind of environment and that kind of stage. This will prove to be difficult. Pressure, distraction, new and unique playing experience and brutal tough competition from the EU will almost certainly lead to a US loss.
The Con is easy to fix. You play them and they will get seasoned and confidence will grow. It isn't uncommon at all for any competitor in any sport to get thrashed their first time. But once acclimated and comfortable, they can then show their true game.
The Pro cannot be created or fixed, it either is or it isn't. Either a player is truly dedicated and 100% committed in their heart to win it all, or they are not. Anything short of 100% determination won't produce wins. It is unlikely that players who have lost their all out determination to win for USA can ever truly light that fire again. Which is why the old guard needs to go....
While Europe has risen and has a surplus of pool power - the USA still has enough talent to win some of these and should not suffer such long streaks of defeats. It's just a matter of getting the right players with the right mindset and goals. There have been some EU teams that the USA legitimately could not beat. But some years and some players ...the EU was overrated. Yes, overrated. They only seem so dominating because the USA team was in a declined state. USA was just playing bad, far below their potential. I believe the EU got some easy wins this way.
In the past, the mindset was always to go with a blend of experience and top players. This seems logical. With the extreme difficulty to win, the last thing you want to do is add another challenging layer on top of that - the rookie factor.
It's good to have some new blood in there. When an opponent has your number for so long, their confidence is through the roof. They know you inside and out, you just look like fresh meat to them. Routine. Meanwhile, the USA is in a mental rut having been on the losing end so long. If 2-3 consecutive beat downs isn't enough to inspire a major motivational drive to reverse matters, then it isn't going to happen. Hence, the long streak of losses and the conclusion that the typical mix of players is not up to the task. A shake up is needed. Reset button.
Some say doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
Time for something new. Time for a rebuild. Rebuilding phase can be tough at first...but pays off for those who can stick with the mission and who have the patience. If this means not fielding the most credentialed players America has, that's fine. It's better to play slightly lower skilled players who want to win, than the higher skilled who are burned out. Because at this level, they might be a tad lower than the Euros- but they are still good enough to win. These aren't long races. The ability is there.
Going with the highest ranked isn't always the best team.
I doubt team chemistry has much to do with it. The only "chemistry" you need is to avoid in-fighting or conflicts. That's a given.
Maybe some of the players who've been there before have not shown true dedication to winning it. Maybe they aren't as committed as they could be - because they getting paid win or lose and are at a point in their life and career where they just need a pay check.
With the deplorable state that pool is in, with the lack of cash - 2nd place at the MC is still good for most American players.
Think about that.
Now, in some years Europe clearly fielded a superior team. In other years, they did not field their best and still won.
Going with NEW and YOUNG players has two key factors, one a pro the other a con.
The Pro is that they are HUNGRY to win it, not only for the cash, but for the prestige for their career. They want it. They need it. Dream come true stuff. Puts them on the map. Someone who has won major tournaments in the past might not be so motivated...
The Con is that they are green. Lack of experience. Against that kind of competition, in that kind of environment and that kind of stage. This will prove to be difficult. Pressure, distraction, new and unique playing experience and brutal tough competition from the EU will almost certainly lead to a US loss.
The Con is easy to fix. You play them and they will get seasoned and confidence will grow. It isn't uncommon at all for any competitor in any sport to get thrashed their first time. But once acclimated and comfortable, they can then show their true game.
The Pro cannot be created or fixed, it either is or it isn't. Either a player is truly dedicated and 100% committed in their heart to win it all, or they are not. Anything short of 100% determination won't produce wins. It is unlikely that players who have lost their all out determination to win for USA can ever truly light that fire again. Which is why the old guard needs to go....
While Europe has risen and has a surplus of pool power - the USA still has enough talent to win some of these and should not suffer such long streaks of defeats. It's just a matter of getting the right players with the right mindset and goals. There have been some EU teams that the USA legitimately could not beat. But some years and some players ...the EU was overrated. Yes, overrated. They only seem so dominating because the USA team was in a declined state. USA was just playing bad, far below their potential. I believe the EU got some easy wins this way.
In the past, the mindset was always to go with a blend of experience and top players. This seems logical. With the extreme difficulty to win, the last thing you want to do is add another challenging layer on top of that - the rookie factor.
It's good to have some new blood in there. When an opponent has your number for so long, their confidence is through the roof. They know you inside and out, you just look like fresh meat to them. Routine. Meanwhile, the USA is in a mental rut having been on the losing end so long. If 2-3 consecutive beat downs isn't enough to inspire a major motivational drive to reverse matters, then it isn't going to happen. Hence, the long streak of losses and the conclusion that the typical mix of players is not up to the task. A shake up is needed. Reset button.
Some say doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
Time for something new. Time for a rebuild. Rebuilding phase can be tough at first...but pays off for those who can stick with the mission and who have the patience. If this means not fielding the most credentialed players America has, that's fine. It's better to play slightly lower skilled players who want to win, than the higher skilled who are burned out. Because at this level, they might be a tad lower than the Euros- but they are still good enough to win. These aren't long races. The ability is there.
