The United States women’s national basketball program has dominated the international stage for over two decades. Claiming eight consecutive Olympic gold medals and winning nine of the last 12 World Cup titles, including the last four.
With a 78-3 record in Olympic play, the team hasn’t claimed a loss since 1992 or in a major international tournament since 2006. Essentially, pure dominance is the expectation every time the country’s colors take the world stage. On this side of things, losing simply doesn’t happen.
It’s safe to say that, like most things in American culture, there’s a certain level of privilege baked into the success. We expect this team to operate like a juggernaut because that is the sole image that represents women’s hoops stateside on the world stage. A team ripe with future Hall of Famers and leaders of their league down the roster is what we’re accustomed to. The only issue with that is that the rest of the world is catching up, and it’s not a secret.
While the WNBA and WNBPA attempt to hammer out a deal this week in a series of marathon bargaining sessions, some of the league’s best are down in Puerto Rico for World Cup Qualifiers in preparation for Berlin later this summer. At the top of the rankings, the team’s spot is virtually guaranteed, leaving this tournament as an open experiment for USA basketball managing director Sue Bird and head coach Kara Lawson.
From newcomers like Rookie of the Year winners Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, to fellow WNBA All-Stars Angel Reese and Kiki Iriafen, there is a bevy of moving parts that Bird and Lawson are working through on the court with their team. Without world-renowned talents in A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, Team USA is without its longtime stalwarts when things get “clunky”, as Clark described after beating host team Puerto Rico, 91-48.
“I thought the game was a little clunky,” said Clark, who notched eight points after recording a double-double in her first game well over half a year. “We probably didn’t play our best.”
After dominating Senegal on Wednesday, 110-46, Team USA allowed two extra points, but it was clear that the issues lay within the chemistry of a newly assembled team that features just four returning players from the squad that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that.
Caitlin Clark today 🔥
• 17 points
• 12 ASSISTS
• 4/5 3PM
• 19 minutes played pic.twitter.com/bpc2u0gYt0— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) March 11, 2026
Players not named Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Kelsey Plum are uniquely talented, but that doesn’t mean that wins will come easily for the expectations held for them. Playing these games is a process for everyone involved, and that’s why they’re played. Rotations, strategies, and input are all part of it.
Though the win over Puerto Rico was by nearly as many points as the host nation posted, the level of competition caught the team off guard to start the game. Puerto Rico’s zone defense had a few exotic elements that helped create 14 turnovers. Certain aspects regarding timing on passes and a teammate’s speed on cuts can only be ironed out with time on the court, playing five games in seven days.
Through the 40 minutes, Lawson pointed to this in particular.
“We know we are not going to pitch a shutout,” Lawson said after the game. “So, it’s a combination — it’s our reaction and our understanding of coverages and then being really precise within those coverages. When your opponent increases in difficulty, they have more skill and power to exploit the things we are not doing well.”
For a slew of players on this roster, they lead their respective WNBA teams in points, shot attempts, and minutes played specifically. This edition of the world stage is new as senior team members, requiring a buy-in on team chemistry, unselfishness, and versatility. Lawson acknowledged this.
“It’s different for them, rotationally,” Lawson said. “All of these players start with their respective WNBA teams. If they are not the No. 1 option, they are the No. 2 option on their team. So, you’re asking them to play a different role … they’re all doing it willingly and trying their best.”
Team USA has three more games left in the tournament in Spain, Italy, and New Zealand. Spain boasts projected No. 1 overall pick Awa Fam and rising international star Iyana Martin, who’s also a talent to watch in the upcoming WNBA draft. The Spaniards have several players who’ve played on the national team for years, so this will arguably be the best test for Lawson’s group.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
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