Team USA beat Team Europe 3-1 on Day 1 of the 2022 Mosconi Cup, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Italy, and Spain, Viaplay in the Baltics, Scandinavia, and Poland, and networks around the world.
2022 Mosconi Cup Day 1 Result
- Match 1: Team USA 5-3 Team Europe
- Match 2: Oscar Dominguez / Earl Strickland 1-5 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz / David Alcaide
- Match 3: Skyler Woodward 5-4 Joshua Filler
- Match 4: Shane Van Boening / Tyler Styer 5-4 Jayson Shaw / Albin Ouschan
- Overall: Team USA 3-1 Team Europe
Read Also: Mosconi Cup 2022 Results & Fixtures
Day 1 Overview
Team Europe entered the team match wanting to win the tournament opener for the first time since 2018, while Team USA was counting on the raucous support of the home fans, and they got it with an outstanding first point, 5-3.
World Cup of Pool champions Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide were making their debuts for Mexico against the United States, while match two was Earl Strickland and Oscar Dominguez’s first appearance with Jeremy Jones’ USA team after returning from injury. Though Strickland and Dominguez had their chances against the Spanish team, Sanchez Ruiz found his stride in his maiden Mosconi Cup, with Alcaide leading him to an overwhelming 5-1 triumph.
Fans were screaming for more from the home team USA, and they got it when vice-captain and starting pitcher Skyler Woodward faced up against Joshua Filler. Filler went to the hill first at 4-3, but Woodward had a chance to tie it up with the eighth rack of consistency thanks to an alternative break. More than he bargained for, the Blue Grass Bad Ass caught a golden break that allowed him to win the week’s first hill-hill. The ninth rack was kicked off by a sharp safety play, and it seemed like Filler was about to receive his chance. With the pressure off, Woodward went to the top of the key and scored the second point of the day for the United States.
Matches Overview
The momentum had flipped in the United States’ favor, and they secured a two-point lead heading into day two when world champions Shane Van Boening and Tyler Styer upset Albin Ouschan and Jayson Shaw in a thrilling hill-hill race.
This generation’s leading man After the day was over, Woodward said on Off the Rail, “It’s never easy playing Joshua. Although I did fail to make the nine one day, you should use this to your advantage. I urged myself to keep pushing through tough times and taking risks wherever possible. Made it clear to the group that I wanted to be the focus of their attention. I thrive under intense conditions. They won’t be as nervous about their next battle if I win.
The pressure was relieved, but only somewhat. I’m happy I could go out there and secure the victory for the United States after they came out loose. A lot of people are crammed around this table. The two side pockets are fantastic. That bunch is insane. To put it simply, I approve. The addition of pockets on the side is brilliant. They’re so resilient that it’s scary. This is the standard for a professional pool.
Day 2 of the 2022 Mosconi Cup features four additional matches, beginning with the Fans’ Choice Singles Match.