Zachary “Zekken” Patrone and Cryocells “Cryo” are set to play together again on the United States national roster for the Esports Nations Cup 2026. The two haven’t shared a team since their time on XSET back in 2022, making this one of the more compelling storylines heading into the international tournament.
The US squad reads like a greatest-hits compilation of North American VALORANT talent. Zekken, Cryo, Valyn, Leaf, Trent, Ethan, Skuba, jawgemo, and Crashies round out the nine-player pool, with JoshRT at the helm as head coach.
What the ENC roster rules actually mean
The ENC enforces a cap of three players from any single club team, which forces coaches to build rosters with genuine diversity rather than just transplanting an existing pro squad onto a national stage. The format calls for five starters and two substitutes, meaning JoshRT will need to carve a functional lineup out of nine players who come from different team environments, different playbooks, and different competitive rhythms.
Why the Zekken-Cryo reunion matters
