Major League Table Tennis heads to Compass Arena in Willowbrook, Illinois from January 16-18 for Week 10, and the stakes are rising fast. With teams having played an uneven number of matches, this weekend becomes a turning point where momentum, math, and matchups collide.

Ticket demand has been strong across the league, and Willowbrook is no exception. Fans can grab seats at tickets.mltt.com, with every match streaming live on tabletennis.tv.

Texas Smash

Urgency after adversity

Texas arrives in Illinois coming off a challenging Week 9 in Portland, a weekend that tested both their resilience and depth. The Smash sit at 98 total points through just nine matches, which gives them plenty of opportunities to rise but little margin for error.

Competing again without Coach Jorg Bitzigeio courtside, Texas continues to rely on preparation, discipline, and internal leadership. Hiromitsu Kasahara and Amy Wang remain anchors, but sharper doubles execution and cleaner Golden Games are essential if Texas wants to convert games-in-hand into real movement in the standings.

Chicago Wind

Holding position in a crowded West

Chicago enters Week 10 in the heart of a crowded Western Conference. With 145 total points across 12 matches, the Wind are trying to hold off a chasing pack that includes Texas, Bay Area, and Los Angeles. The pressure is real.

Complicating matters, the Los Angeles Spinners sit just one point ahead of Chicago, but have played three more team matches. That imbalance turns every Wind match into a must-maximize opportunity. Led by Emmanuel Lebesson, Chicago must defend points now, knowing games in hand loom behind them.

Florida Crocs

Rewriting the script

Florida arrives shorthanded but not without intrigue. The Crocs sit at 79 total points through nine matches, still very much alive mathematically, but they will once again compete without their ace, Liam Pitchford, who remains sidelined with injury.

In response, Florida welcomes back Swedish star Jonatan McDonald, a Texas Wesleyan University standout and former Portland Paddlers member from Season 1. His return brings familiarity, experience, and a stabilizing presence to a lineup looking to redefine itself amid adversity.

New York Slice

Experience under pressure

New York comes to Willowbrook with 121 total points through 12 matches, firmly in the mix but fully aware that others are closing with games in hand. The Slice have shown they can win in different ways, but sustaining that level across an entire weekend remains the challenge.

Veteran poise anchors this roster. Wenzhang Tao and Koki Niwa bring calm in tight moments, yet New York’s success hinges on stacking complete performances from Friday through Sunday, not isolated wins.

Why Week 10 Matters

This weekend is where math meets momentum. Texas and Florida chase ground with fewer matches played. Chicago defends position against teams with games in hand. New York looks to convert experience into consistency. Every singles game, every doubles pairing, and every Golden Game decision carries amplified weight.

Compass Arena will feel it. So will the standings.‍

Friday, January 16

Texas Smash vs. New York Slice | 4:00 PM CT

This opener pits urgency against experience. Texas enters looking to respond after a difficult Portland weekend, knowing they still have games in hand to climb. New York brings veteran calm and wants to set the tone early. Expect tactical singles matchups and Golden Game awareness from the first serve.

Florida Crocs vs. Chicago Wind | 7:30 PM CT

Chicago plays defense in the standings, Florida plays offense with opportunity. The Wind need to protect points in a crowded West, while the Crocs debut a reworked lineup without Liam Pitchford. Florida’s ability to stay close through singles will determine whether this becomes a pressure-filled finish.

Saturday, January 17

Texas Smash vs. Florida Crocs | 4:00 PM CT

Two teams with games in hand collide. Texas leans on structure and discipline, Florida on adaptability and belief. Without Pitchford, Florida looks for balance and timely points, while Texas needs to reassert control late in matches. This one could hinge on doubles chemistry and Golden Game order.

New York Slice vs. Chicago Wind | 7:30 PM CT

A matchup built on composure. Chicago wants to keep pace in the West, while New York aims to maximize a full slate of matches played. Both teams value efficiency over flash. If this stays tight, experience and decision-making under pressure will decide it.

Sunday, January 18

New York Slice vs. Florida Crocs | 11:00 AM CT

Sunday morning brings contrasting needs. New York looks to close the weekend cleanly, while Florida hunts for momentum and proof their adjusted lineup works. Early singles could dictate confidence, especially for the Crocs as they look to convert opportunity into standings movement.

Texas Smash vs. Chicago Wind | 2:30 PM CT

The weekend finale carries real weight. Chicago tries to hold off Texas in the Western Conference race, while the Smash look to make games in hand matter. Texas’ discipline versus Chicago’s consistency creates a classic closer, with the Golden Game likely looming large.

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🎟️ Tickets can be purchased at tickets.mltt.com