Team USA is heading into its 12th straight Women’s World Cup semifinal this Saturday, September 11, at 2 p.m. ET, and guess who’s standing in their way? Spain, a team the Americans have never lost to in World Cup play, but one bringing some serious Emerald City power. This isn’t just another game; it’s a shot at the gold-medal game, and a chance for the U.S. to continue a streak of absolute dominance.
Team USA’s Historic Run Hits Berlin
Let’s be real, Team USA has been on a different level. They tore through Hungary in the quarterfinals, racking up a massive 108-56 win. That game was a record-setter, with the Americans putting up 31 assists, a World Cup quarterfinal best. Their 108 total points and 59 first-half points were also new quarterfinal records. Napheesa Collier, a former UConn standout, dropped 19 points, her most ever in a Team USA uniform, while shutting down Hungary star Dorka Juhász to just two points on 1-of-12 shooting. This team doesn’t just win, they make history doing it. For the past four World Cups, the U.S. has not only advanced to the gold-medal game but won every single one. The last time they even missed the gold-medal game was way back in 2006, when they still snagged bronze against Brazil.
Spain and Seattle’s Awa Fam Stand in the Way
But Spain isn’t just rolling over. They fought hard to get here, beating Australia 89-66 in their quarterfinal matchup. While Megan Gustafson from the Portland Fire put up 16 points, it was our very own Seattle Storm star Awa Fam who pulled down eight rebounds, leading a tough Spanish squad. Fam is averaging 6.8 boards per contest for Spain, with Iyana Martin leading them in scoring at 16.5 points per game. Spain went 2-1 in group play, grabbing wins against Germany and Japan but falling to Mali. History isn’t on their side against the U.S. The teams have met five times in the World Cup, three of those in the knockout rounds, and Spain has never managed a victory. The U.S. beat them 77-64 in the 2014 gold-medal game and a whopping 106-70 in the 2010 semifinals. Can Fam and Spain pull off an upset against a team they’ve never beaten on this stage?
The other semifinal features France, who are also undefeated, facing off against Germany at 10:30 a.m. ET. France swept their group play and then easily handled China 90-61 in the quarterfinals, with Gabby Williams leading them with 17.5 points and 2.5 steals per game. The stakes are simple: winners go for gold, losers play for third. Team USA versus Spain is set for 2 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the action on TNT, truTV, or HBO Max. This is it, folks. Can Team USA keep their historic run alive, or will Spain, led by Seattle’s own Awa Fam, finally break through?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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