Nah, I'm not putting them down and I know Seibrik is good. But the skill level between USA and other countries isn't as big as people think. Look at Armada for example, and the twins from Mexico. PR also has shown to contend very well with USA at both Melee and other games, so I got nothing to worry about... To me, they're just other players. I'm one of the top players in PR too, and have loads of experience against MK with both my mains, as well as experience against Marth. And since both Seibrik and Pierce are kind enough to put videos of themselves on YouTube so I can figure out a bit about them before the tourney (such as patterns or how they punish), a little bit of research and warming up before pools will have me ready for anyone.
They're both great players, I know. Seibrik is what, the #1 PR in Florida? And Pierce is very good in both theory and practice when it comes to Marth, that much I know... But I'm not gonna put them on a pedestal and decide that they're the last people I would have wanted to fight against in the tourney at pools. Plus, since it's 3/6 that go to the next round, if they end up being too much for me, I still have a chance... But if I make it past pools, that means your friend won't make it past pools (or vice-versa), and that would suck for both of us.