Looking ahead at the potential S94 Team USA roster

[scoop 3,432]

The Season 92 World Cup saw Team USA return to the Gold Medal game for the first time since the Season 82 competition. The end result was the same, as the team had to settle for another silver medal. This brought the gold medal drought to seven tournaments, just one shy of the longest stretch for the team. Team USA will obviously look to avoid extending that streak to record levels in the upcoming World Cup. The majority of the second place roster from two years ago should be locks to return, but there will be several new faces looking to make an impact. With several weeks to go before the off-season, there is time yet for roster hopefuls to solidify their chances. Of course, this is all purely speculation about the roster for the upcoming tournament and is in no way official.

 

Defense stays in tact

@Alex @Beketov @Garsh

Perhaps the biggest story line for Team USA will be the return of all four defenders. The trio of Skor McFleury, Jacob Stone, and Mark Calaway are among the best players in the league. Having them all together instantly makes the team contenders once again. For McFleury and Stone, it will be the third time playing with Team USA. Kronchy Kardashian should round out what is undoubtedly the best defense in the tournament. Although not at the same level as the others, Kardashian would easily be the second or third best defender on any other team. Needless to say, this unit will tough for teams to deal with and should make things a bit easier for the new faces that will be minding the net for the stars and stripes.

 

The future is now in net

@Spartan  @BrutalBoost

Team USA had the duo of Jesse Teno and Matt Murdock as their goalies last time around, but they both retired after Season 93. Luckily for the team, they have one of the best young goalies stepping in. Playing in his third season with the Moscow Menace, Olober Syko is on the fast track to being a star. His numbers have not been elite, but he has the skills to be the best. Although the backup goalie likely will not see much play, if any, the most likely candidate will be Joseph Reed. Reed is already familiar with the role of Syko's backup, as he has also been with Moscow for each of the past three seasons.

 

Last chance for three forwards

@Ricer13 @v.2  @ke1vi

Not many players get the chance to represent their country in the World Cup, but Daryl Dixon and Mac Atlas will have that opportunity for Team USA. Having won a bronze in Season 88 and a silver in Season 92, they look to finally win that coveted gold in what will be their final World Cup appearance. They are two of the best offensive players in the league, having the best season of their careers. Team USA will also feature the current season leader in points and goals, as Atlas's long-time Toronto teammate Jimi Jaks will make his third appearance on the international big stage. With these three leading the way, if the team can get production from the rest of the forwards, Team USA will have a highly formidable offense.

 

Finals spots up in the air

@emidas @Scurvy @badcolethetitan @ScottyP @Smarch @Berocka

The other three forwards to make the roster will likely be first-timers, and there are several potential players to fill the void. I see six potential candidates for the final three spots, though one of them is far less likely than the others. Lucas Grey is that one. He was with the team in Season 92, but the other five names are better players, which will likely make Grey the only currently active player to lose their spot on the team. I think the favorites to make the roster are Logan Ninefingers, George Richmond, and Rip Wheeler. For Wheeler, this might be his best chance to play for Team USA. Ninefingers and Richmond should be staples on the roster for years to come. Riley Martin and Gustav Mattias may be looked at for the roster this season, but even if they do not make it now, their time will come.

[LucyXpher 1,433]

[scoop 3,432]

The future of the team USA defense is also pretty nuts. Here are our S93 and S94 defenders and their rank in TPE among defenders in their draft class

 

Lucy Leitner (1st, S93)

Gul Dukat (2nd, S93)

Benjamin Abenduct (3rd, S94)

Jillian Woods (1st, S94)

Felicia Hardy (2nd, S94)

Lazlo Holmes (4th, S94)

 

82/83 had an elite core of Torq, Payne and Thunder. Then we were weak from 84 to 86, but that didn't matter because we had McFleury/Stone/Calaway to come in and carry the way as the new elite core. We are relatively weak from 89 to 92 but we have the above all coming up to take over.

 

We could legitimately see at the S100 World Cup, two defenders not make the Team USA roster even though they would be #1 on most other teams.

[jacobcarson877 2,541]

4 hours ago, scoop said:

The future of the team USA defense is also pretty nuts. Here are our S93 and S94 defenders and their rank in TPE among defenders in their draft class

 

Lucy Leitner (1st, S93)

Gul Dukat (2nd, S93)

Benjamin Abenduct (3rd, S94)

Jillian Woods (1st, S94)

Felicia Hardy (2nd, S94)

Lazlo Holmes (4th, S94)

 

82/83 had an elite core of Torq, Payne and Thunder. Then we were weak from 84 to 86, but that didn't matter because we had McFleury/Stone/Calaway to come in and carry the way as the new elite core. We are relatively weak from 89 to 92 but we have the above all coming up to take over.

 

We could legitimately see at the S100 World Cup, two defenders not make the Team USA roster even though they would be #1 on most other teams.

Exactly why I picked USA! Should get a shot with Syko, and Richmond, Ninefingers and Martin leading the way up front should be a great combo!