Blizzard announced the return of the Overwatch World Cup this year. So it is only natural for me to want to dive into the USA pool and make an argument for each of the talented players who represent our nation. The Overwatch League has given us a consistent source of player results, so it will be much easier to make cases for players than it previously was. I will be mentioning every player who I think will be in the discussion at the final cuts for the USA roster (in no particular order), let’s get into it.

Main Tank (Winston, Reinhardt, Orisa)

Muma (Houston Outlaws)

The Houston Outlaws’ main tank has separated himself from the majority of Western tanks as the consensus best tank player in NA. Muma gained much popularity from his time on FNRGFE, where he built some solid synergy with his current off-tank partner, CoolMatt. His main tank play through the first 2 stages of OWL has been one of the bright spots for the Houston Outlaws. Even when they were getting thrashed by teams like the Shock or Gladiators, Muma was always in the right spots and trying to make the best possible play for his team. While we have mostly seen Winston from him, his Reinhardt and Orisa have been immaculate as well:

900 IQ

FCTFCTN (Houston Outlaws)

We have not seen much out of FCTFCTN since his time with FaZe and the World Cup in 2017. I have no reason to doubt his tank play at this point, being picked up by the Houston Outlaws, he must have retained his skills and continuing to be a top tier main tank. Hopefully we get to see an appearance from him in OWL Stage 3. More plays like this please:

Super (San Francisco Shock)

Another player who we don’t have too much sample size on in regards to OWL. Most of Super’s main tank play has come from his time on LG Evil. Super instantly took over the role for the SF Shock in Stage 3, since turning 18 years old. While his main tank play hasn’t been stellar so far, I think we should allow a little longer of an adjustment period than 2 games. As the season progresses, the Shock, and in turn, Super, will improve.

Cloneman16 (XL2 Academy)

We saw Cloneman16 on Seagull and Calvin’s Contenders Season 0 team, where he caught the eye of many with some great Winston play.

Primal Poggers

Notable performances in those matches along with him grinding competitive play on his stream, earned him a spot on the NYXL Contenders squad. Even though it is a long-shot for Cloneman16 to make the USA roster, I believe his play has been consistent enough to earn him a tryout.

BeastHalo (Fusion University)

Another Contenders tank, earned himself some praise from various current OWL players. The main tank for Fusion University has been stomping all over the competition, with the team winning 9 out of their last 10. BeastHalo has capitalized off of the precise and coordinated play from his DPS partners. Things like this are what makes the difference in good and outstanding main tanks:

BeastHalo blocks Fire’s Sound Barrier with his Winston bubble

Off-Tank (D.Va, Zarya, Road Hog)

CoolMatt (Houston Outlaws)

I think it would be hard for anyone to argue against the consensus best D.Va in the world, off-tank player for the the World Cup 2017 team, and half of the Houston Outlaws’ star-studded tank line. CoolMatt has proven over and over again he is a huge difference-maker on the D.Va, reliably figuring out her limits, strengths, and weaknesses through various patches. Any other USA off-tank player will be hard pressed to dethrone this guy.

Space (Los Angeles Valiant)

Now if anyone can take over the USA off-tank spot, Space definitely has the potential to do so. Not only is his D.Va play comparable to CoolMatt, he also has the ability to play Zarya and Road Hog at a top level as well.

Space in his debut for the Valiant

The LA Valiant opted to start him and release Envy, and they have not looked better. Space is very adaptable to various team dynamics, which is optimal when forming a team that is essentially an All-Star squad, you do not want ego to be a factor.

Gods (Gladiators Legion)

Gods has proved himself to be a very flexible player from his time on Cloud9, as well as Gladiators Legion. His recent D.Va play has been great and has always had a solid Road Hog. He also has the hitscan and Genji in his back pocket, if Team USA ever opts to run an obscure composition. I think Gods would be a great mind to have on the roster and gives them the ability to flex nicely.

Flex Support (Zenyatta, Ana, Moira…Brigette?)

Rawkus (Houston Outlaws)

Rawkus has been one of the most consistent flex supports in Overwatch since launch. He has a top-class Zen and Ana, and can flex to a Soldier:76, Road Hog, and Bastion for surprise strategies. He flourished during last year’s World Cup and Stage 1 of OWL. He has been getting focused much more in Stage 2 and 3 of OWL, as teams have started to figure the Outlaws out. Regardless, Rawkus would be a wise choice for the USA roster.

Sleepy (San Francisco Shock)

Sleepy did not have much documented pro play until he was surprisingly signed to the Shock. He has proven himself to be a lethal Zen as well as a calculated Ana. Sleepy would be a great decision for Team USA if they wanted an aggressive, more killing-power type mindset for the roster.

Like I said, nutty Ana

Fahzix (NRG Esports)

Fahzix has always been one of the cooler and level-headed players in Overwatch. He seems to have a low-tilt characteristic and drive to grind the game. His work ethic has rightfully earned him a spot on the Shock’s Contenders squad, and his upward trend in flex support play should allow him a shot at the roster.

Goliath (XL2 Academy)

Goliath is another aggressive Zen player in the Contenders league. I could not find much on him that will differentiate him from the rest, other than he can frag out with the best of the best. Here is a great clip of him abusing the hero switch Sleep Dart ability:

How to tilt the average Winston

Main Healer (Lucio, Mercy)

Adam (XL2 Academy)

Adam was very shockingly not picked up by any OWL team after his steady high-level support play for Cloud9 and Team USA. He was eventually picked up by NYXL’s Contenders team. I have no doubt he will eventually be in the league, whenever a team is in need of a main healer/ult tracker. Previous teammates Surefour and Mendokusaii have raved about Adam’s Mercy play, accuracy in tracking enemy ultimates, and supernatural game awareness. He should undoubtedly be given a shot to come back and represent the USA.

Moth (San Francisco Shock)

Moth quickly gained attention with his outstanding Lucio, Mercy, and Ana play from his matches playing with Toronto Esports. He is on the few supports who is able to dictate his teams pace and flow of the game. After watching my fair share of Shock VODs, Moth seems to understand both teams style of play and can leverage his team to perfect positions and exploit their weaknesses.

Elk (Fusion University)

Elk has been another bright spot for the Fusion’s Contenders team. He has his team together and has them playing well as one cohesive unit. He is another big brained player who knows much more about the game than most. Here he is blowing Jayne’s mind:

Boink (Houston Outlaws)

Boink would be a resident Lucio player for the team, as his other support heroes are not anything to write home about. That being said, Boink’s Lucio is one of the most lethal and elusive in the league. He utilizes wall-riding mechanics, tactical boops, and his Sound Barrier very well. Boink is a very smart player who would make a great addition to Team USA.

Boops from Boink

DPS

Disclaimer: I am putting all offensive heroes into one category, there are too many players who have a diverse range of skill-sets. ***I am removing Dreamkazper from my list of consideration, per the recent allegations.***

Sinatraa (San Francisco Shock)

After a long hiatus from pro play, Sinatraa has been steadily improving since his OWL debut in mid-March. The Tracer main’s punctilious aim and game-sense are world class, and his ability to create space for his supports are next level. Sinatraa has a well-documented history of brilliant Tracer play and might as well be a lock-in for a tryout for a roster spot.

Hydration (Los Angeles Gladiators)

Hydration has been a great projectile player for the Gladiators, with the classic hero pool of Pharah, Genji, Road Hog, Junkrat, and….Lucio? I think adding Hydration to the lineup will let USA show off some compositions that they otherwise could not run. He has had stand-out moments in the first half of the season, but has not played in Stage 3 due to the recent acquisition of Silkthread.

More Jayne

Danteh (San Francisco Shock)

Sinatraa’s DPS partner, like Dreamkazper, has also demonstrated his ability to flex onto various heroes along with his Tracer, such as Sombra, Junkrat, and Genji. Danteh has been shining through Stage 2 of OWL and well into Stage 3. He has adjusted well to the cut throat competition of the league and matched the Koreans in terms of Tracer duels. Danteh steady development should earn him a shot at the USA roster.

Silkthread (Los Angeles Gladiators)

We have not seen much of Silkthread in the OWL due to the whole Valiant drama escapade. Since his move to the Gladiators, he seems to have immediately taken Hydration’s role as a hyper-flexible projectile specialist. In his 2 matches with the Gladiators so far, he played 7 and 8 different heroes. I believe Silkthread has a quite a high ceiling in terms of development and will get there in his time with the Gladiators.

Zachareee (Fusion University)

If you didn’t know this guy already, you will. He has been popping off for the Contenders squad, his Tracer has been looking sharp. His recent surge has helped propel his team to winning the majority of their games and stomping the competition.

Final Thoughts

Obviously the USA pool goes much deeper than the players I have listed out and the roster will be bigger than 6 players, but these are the guys who I predict will be in the conversation when making the final roster decisions. My projected starting lineup for the World Cup 2018 USA Roster: