WITH JUST six weeks to go until the 21st annual PartyPoker Mosconi Cup breaks off at the Tower Circus in Blackpool, Team USA skipper Mark Wilson has named his five players to take on the huge task of winning back pool's most prestigious team trophy.
Having assembled a squad of eight players at the start of the year, Wilson has now reduced that to the five players who will do battle against their European counterparts. They are:
Cory Deuel (7 Mosconi Cup appearances)
Shane Van Boening (6 Mosconi Cup appearances)
John Schmidt (1 Mosconi Cup appearance)
Justin Hall (debut)
Justin Bergman (debut)
In order to maximise their chances of glory, Wilson will be bringing the whole squad to Blackpool with the three non-playing members filling very specific roles as he leaves no stone unturned.
Jeremy Sossei is tasked as Offensive Coordinator in the build up and during the event while Oscar Dominguez fulfils the role of Defensive Coach. The eighth member of the squad Brandon Shuff has a technical role as Special Shots Instructor.
Commented Mark Wilson, "Despite having to name the five playing members we are still eight strong and are a family pushing for the ultimate goal. I sincerely could have drawn the names at random and been well pleased, proud, and willing to put it all on the line.
"These guys have all unilaterally improved both on and off the table and represent the sport into the new era.
"Today we are beginning the final stages of preparation with even more urgency and intensity. The guys have all contributed and sacrificed for the entire year and I sincerely appreciate all of their collective efforts now and moving forward. The team and staff are excited and prepared for the ultimate challenge of Mosconi Cup XXI."
In addition to the eight players and Captain Mark Wilson, Don Wardell MD assists as Vice-Captain while retired Navy SEAL Lt. Commander Amir Pishdad is added to the team as Vice-Captain.
The 2014 PARTYPOKER.COM Mosconi Cup is sponsored by PartyPoker.com, the world's leading online poker site. The Official Table of the Mosconi Cup is supplied by Diamond Billiards, the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue and Mosconi Cup clothing is supplied by Universe.
Follow the PartyPoker Mosconi Cup of Facebook and Twitter @mosconicup
Luke Riches, Matchroom Sport: luke.riches@matchroom.com
Notes: Matchroom Sport are one of the world's leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,000 hours of original programming across a range of sports. Based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn, the Mosconi Cup is one of a stable of pool events that include the World Cup of Pool and the World Pool Masters.