The U.S. Men’s National Team is gearing up to compete in the 2019 FIVB World Cup, taking place in Japan from September 30th to October 14th. As the defending champions, the team has their sights set on retaining their title and securing a spot in the 2020 Olympic Games.
Unlike the previous edition in 2015, this World Cup is not an Olympic qualifier. This is due to Japan already qualifying as the host nation for the upcoming Olympics. Consequently, they are unable to participate in this tournament, as teams that have already secured their Olympic spot cannot take part in qualifiers.
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Head Coach John Speraw highlighted the team’s dual objectives of winning the tournament while also evaluating potential candidates for the Olympic squad. Speraw stated, “The goal remains the same – to win and defend our championship from four years ago. However, the stakes are lower. It’s an excellent opportunity for players to compete fiercely and contend for spots on next year’s Olympic team.”
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A notable change in this year’s World Cup is the allowance for teams to announce their match rosters 24 hours in advance. The U.S. Men’s team will bring 16 players to the tournament from which they will select 14 for each match.
The roster comprises seven players who won bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games, including Matt Anderson, Micah Christenson, Erik Shoji, Aaron Russell, Thomas Jaeschke, Max Holt, and David Smith. T.J. DeFalco and Garrett Muagututia serve as outside hitters, while Jeff Jendryk and Mitch Stahl bolster the middle blockers’ position. Ben Patch and James Shaw are the backup opposites, and Micah Ma’a and Josh Tuaniga are the additional setters. Michael Saeta will travel as a serving specialist.
In contrast to the previous World Cup, where starters played every match, Coach Speraw plans to make more aggressive roster decisions this time around. With an older team, this tournament presents an opportunity to evaluate players who have had limited playing time throughout the summer.
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The World Cup follows a round-robin format, with each of the 12 participating teams facing off against one another once. The U.S. Men’s team will play their first five matches in Fukuoka and conclude the tournament in Hiroshima, with a total of 11 matches in their quest to defend their title.
Fans can catch all the World Cup action on FloVolleyball.tv, where matches will be broadcasted.
FAQs
Q: Which teams will the U.S. Men’s National Team compete against in the World Cup?
A: The World Cup features a total of 12 teams, and the U.S. Men’s team will face off against each team once in the round-robin format.
Q: How does the World Cup differ from the Olympic Games?
A: While the World Cup determines the champion of this specific tournament, it does not serve as an Olympic qualifier. The U.S. Men’s team won the 2015 World Cup, which secured their qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Q: What is the significance of this World Cup for the U.S. Men’s team?
A: Apart from aiming to defend their World Cup title, Head Coach John Speraw will use the tournament as an opportunity to evaluate players and make roster decisions for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Summary
The U.S. Men’s National Team is primed to participate in the 2019 FIVB World Cup, with ambitions to retain their championship title. The tournament, held in Japan, holds significance for the team as it allows them to assess potential candidates for the 2020 Olympic Games. Head Coach John Speraw aims to strike a balance between securing victory and evaluating players, emphasizing the importance of this challenging tournament. The team will carefully select their match rosters, bringing 16 players and choosing 14 for each game. With a mix of experienced players and fresh faces, the U.S. Men’s team is ready to compete against the world’s best and defend their World Cup title.
Join us in cheering for the U.S. Men’s National Team as they embark on their journey to the top! For more information and to follow the latest updates, visit Alpinetgheep.com.
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Danh mục: Volleyball
