Message from USA Captain Mark Wilson

The plan for winning the 2016 Mosconi Cup has now been modified and rather than win decisively we are going with a thrilling 11-10 margin.
The European Team has played well thus far and forced us into the tough spot that we find ourselves in tonight.

The U.S. Team has remained steadfast in their unwillingness to quit, which is a genuine testimonial to personal character of veteran leader Rodney Morris. He has lead by example and has certainly fulfilled the role that he was selected for, without any display of ego or hostility.

Skyler Woodward has also been terrific in so many ways and is getting invaluable experience in the big leagues. I would go to battle with him anytime.
Iceberg has been "all that" playing about .940 pool for the week, which is the best pool on either team by the way.

Mike Dechaine has also played well but has not had the opportunities yet to get a "foothold" and tear a couple of players apart with his patented power game, despite playing above .850 pool.

SVB has struggled and is criticized by people who hold little relevance in the Billiards world. He is our team leader and will be for the foreseeable future, given his distaste for losing, I feel sorry for his opponents tomorrow.

I am proud of my team because they have been tested, bruised, and battered, but are still standing after facing the multitudes of hardships behind the scenes. They are not bickering, but rather more unified than any Mosconi Cup team that I was ever around. I do not hear excuses, which is the very beginning of the new culture shift in our sport.

Over the last few weeks we have learned who they really are...rather than what many people speculate. They are growing and learning in the most difficult of circumstances. I have made mistakes too.

Proud of them? You are damn right that I am proud of each of them.