What Are the 10 Best Sports Moments Representing Team USA?
No matter the sport or competition, Team USA has some memorable leaders who have led the country to seismic wins and monumental upsets. The history of Team USA's play is incredibly rich with talent. If you ask someone what the best performance from the U.S. is on the world stage, you'll likely get a few different answers.
That said, FOX Sports Research is here to help sort through the Americans' undeniably rich and successful history. 10 Best Team USA Performances 10. Michael Johnson at the 1996 Olympics
Johnson delivered an all-time Olympic performance in 1996, becoming the first male athlete to claim gold in both the 200-meter and 400-meter races. That would even undersell his dominance. Johnson, at the time, would set an Olympic record in the 400-meter race, winning by nearly a full second. 9. Landon Donovan's goal at the 2010 World Cup vs. Algeria
Few moments can match the pure adrenaline and excitement of Donovan's 2010 World Cup goal. With the U.S. needing a win to advance, Donovan came through. With just one minute of stoppage time added to the end of the match, Donovan came up with the game-winner, sending Team USA to the next round with one emphatic kick. 8. Carli Lloyd's hat trick in the 2015 World Cup Final vs. Japan
One of the most efficient performances in World Cup history belongs to Lloyd. In the biggest match of the year, she delivered, punctuating the final with a hat trick — in just 16 minutes of game action. That 16-minute hat trick is a record for the fastest in a World Cup, and Lloyd is one of only two players to score a hat trick in a World Cup final. 7. Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympics
There's no possible way to do any better than Spitz did in 1972. After feeling like he had a subpar performance in the previous Olympic run, Spitz crushed it in 1972. He competed in seven swimming events in those Olympics and won all seven, doing so by setting a world record in each of the contests. 6. Simone Biles at the 2024 Olympics
The hype around Biles returning to the Olympics in 2024 was at an all-time high, and she delivered. In the end, she finished the competition with four medals, three golds and one silver. Moreover, that gave her an eye-popping 11 medals in her illustrious gymnastics career, one that leaves her as the most decorated American gymnast of all time. 5. Michael Phelps at the 2008 Olympics
Driven by his determination to better the performance of Spitz in the Olympics, Phelps had his eyes on the prize in 2008. He competed in eight different swimming competitions, collecting gold in all eight of them, while setting world records in seven of them. His eight gold medals are still the record for the most for an athlete in a single Olympics. 4. Brandi Chastain in the 1999 World Cup Final vs. China
Perhaps the most indelible image in sports history, Chastain came through clutch in the 1999 World Cup, which was played on the home soil of the United States. With the final game pushing all the way to penalty kicks, Chastain stepped up and drilled the game-winner to seal the home victory for the team and country. 3. "Dream Team" at the 1992 Olympics
The 1992 Olympics marked the first time that NBA players were allowed to suit up for their home countries. That year, the U.S. put together one of the greatest rosters of all time. The squad consisted of 12 players, and 11 of them went on to make the Professional Basketball Hall of Fame. The "Dream Team" easily won the gold medal, beating opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game during the tournament. 2. Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics
At a time in history filled with turmoil, Owens was a shining star. He showed up for the U.S. and delivered with four track and field gold medals, setting three Olympic records and one world record over the course of those four events. Owens became the first track and field athlete to collect four or more gold medals in a single Olympics. 1. "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Olympics
This one needs no introduction. The Soviet Union was considered the international powerhouse for ice hockey and deemed unbeatable, while the U.S. was a scrappy group of junior players — a team no one thought could contend with the full roster of Soviet Union pros. Team USA was down 3-2 entering the final 20 minutes before netting two goals in the final frame to seal the 4-2 victory, birthing the now-famous television call, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" Honorable mentions: Keri Strug at the 1996 Olympics
"Redeem Team" at the 2008 Olympics
Katie Ledecky at the 2024 Olympics
Stephen Curry at the 2024 Olympics vs. France
Check out all of our Daily Rankers.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Get more from Summer Olympics Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
How to watch USMNT vs Mexico: Gold Cup final stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
For the 8th time in CONCACAF Gold Cup history (18 tournaments), the USMNT and Mexico are set to face off in the final of the 2025 edition at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday (7 pm ET). MORE — Gold Cup schedule | Club World Cup knockout bracket The Americans have won just two of seven finals against their southern rivals, though they did come out on top in the last such meeting, in 2021 (1-0 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Miles Robinson's 117th-minute goal). El Tri have won a record nine Gold Cups, while the USMNT will close the gap to just one if they lift no. 8 this weekend. How to watch USMNT vs Mexico live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7 pm ET, Sunday How to watch: Fox, TUDN Stream online: or the FOX Sports app USMNT focus, team news Diego Luna has used this Gold Cup as his personal playground and breakout moment with three goals, including both in the USMNT's 2-1 victory over Guatemala in the semifinals, and two assists through five games. The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake star has been flanked in midfield, and frequently on the scoresheet, by Malik Tillman (three goals and two assists of his own) to form a dangerous one-two punch that can make a real case for a place in the starting XI next summer when the 2026 World Cup is played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But can they deliver once more, against the best that CONCACAF has to offer, in perhaps the biggest game of their young careers? Mexico focus, team news The Gold Cup would be Mexico's second trophy of 2025 after Javier Aguirre's side won the 2024-25 Nations League back in March. Raul Jimenez has scored twice this tournament, including the game's only goal to beat Honduras and book Mexico's place in the final. Center back Cesar Montes scored three goals during the group stage and played all 90 minutes to secure the clean sheet against Honduras. USMNT vs Mexico prediction A cagey affair, as finals often are. Three of the eight finals finished 1-0, including each of the last two (2019 and 2021). A first trophy for Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT boss. USA 1-0 Mexico.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Paris reopens Seine River for public swimming
France's capital Paris reopened the Seine River to swimmers on Saturday for the first time in over a century. AFP news agency said dozens of swimmers were present for the opening at 8:00 a.m. (0600 UTC/GMT), diving into the water under the watchful eye of lifeguards. The move is part of the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and comes amid sweltering temperatures across Europe, including France's second-warmest June since records began. Paris authorities have created three outdoor pool zones, complete with changing rooms and showers and supervised by lifeguards. The pools are located opposite L'île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) near the Eiffel Tower, close to Notre-Dame Cathedral and opposite the Bibliotheque national de France. The swimming zones also have beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to sunbathe. Access to the pools will be free of charge until August 31st. A statement from the city government said water quality will be continuously monitored. Authorities said lifeguards would assess visitors' swimming abilities, particularly due to strong currents, an average depth of 3.5 meters (11 feet) and boat traffic. Bathing in the Seine was officially banned in 1923, primarily due to health risks from pollution. The river has historically been contaminated with high levels of bacteria, such as E. coli and enterococci, from sewage overflows, industrial discharge, and urban runoff. These pollutants pose significant risks of illness for swimmers, including skin infections and gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, strong currents, boat traffic, and debris in the river create hazardous conditions for bathers. Despite being illegal, swimming was still practised until the early 1960s and there have been several attempts to remove the ban. In 1988, then-Paris mayor and future president Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal. Authorities promised ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics that the water in the Seine would be cleaned up to allow athletes to compete in its waters. Around €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) was spent on improving water quality, which officials promised would benefit not just the Olympic athletes but residents and tourists for years to come. A massive underground storage tank was created to hold wastewater and prevent untreated sewage from entering the river during heavy rain. Wastewater treatment plants were also upgraded. During the games, the river hosted the triathlon swimming legs and open water swimming events. However, the swims weren't without controversy, as some athletes fell sick afterward. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said that cleaning up the Seine for the Olympics was part of a broader effort to adapt the city to climate change and enhance quality of life. "Everyone should be able to swim in the Seine starting this summer," said French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq when the move was announced in May. Ahead of Saturday's launch, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the work undertaken to open the swimming zones, writing on X that it was a "source of pride for the country." L'un de mes prédécesseurs, alors Maire de Paris, a rêvé d'une Seine où chacun pourrait nager. Demain sa promesse sera tenue. C'est un héritage des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de Paris après 100 ans d'interdiction, un travail collectif, une fierté pour le — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 4, 2025 Edited by: Kieran Burke
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Understanding the Shortage of World Cup Tickets
The World Cup represents the ultimate football experience, yet accessing tickets remains one of the most challenging aspects of this global celebration. As a sports industry analyst who has studied ticketing patterns across multiple tournaments, I've observed how the fundamental economics of supply and demand create an environment where passionate fans struggle to secure seats to witness history unfold. The Economics of Scarcity and Market Dynamics Every World Cup faces an insurmountable mathematical challenge where stadium capacities represent merely a fraction of global demand. Recent tournaments have seen application-to-availability ratios exceeding 15:1, creating an inherently exclusive environment. With stadiums accommodating between 40,000 to 80,000 spectators per match, the total available seats across an entire tournament cannot satisfy the billions of football enthusiasts worldwide. This scarcity extends beyond simple numbers. Stadium capacities are further constrained by safety regulations, VIP allocations, and corporate partnerships that reduce the pool available to general supporters. When analyzing ticketing data across multiple tournaments, approximately 60-70% of total capacity typically reaches individual consumers through standard purchasing channels, while the remainder serves commercial and organizational purposes. The significant gap between supply and demand naturally drives price appreciation in secondary markets. Original ticket prices, set at levels intended to maintain accessibility, often bear little resemblance to market-clearing prices that reflect true demand intensity. This price discovery process occurs across various platforms and channels, with values frequently reaching multiples of face value for premium matches and locations. Understanding these economic dynamics helps explain why ticket prices vary dramatically based on factors such as match importance, team popularity, and venue location. Geographic considerations play a significant role in distribution patterns, with different global regions experiencing varying levels of access difficulty based on economic factors, travel costs, and historical participation patterns. Supporters from football-passionate regions with developing economies face compound challenges, as ticket costs represent a larger proportion of disposable income while travel expenses add significant additional barriers. These regional disparities influence the demographic composition of World Cup attendance, potentially reducing the cultural diversity that enhances the tournament atmosphere. Technology, Distribution Networks, and Secondary Markets Contemporary ticketing systems have evolved significantly, incorporating sophisticated queue management, fraud prevention, and identity verification technologies. However, these advances also enable more sophisticated purchasing strategies by experienced market participants who understand system timing, capacity limitations, and optimal purchasing windows. The digital transformation of ticketing has created new dynamics around release timing, purchasing speed, and technical proficiency, where success increasingly depends on understanding technological elements from optimal internet connections to familiarity with platform interfaces. The ticket distribution process operates through multiple tiers and phases, each designed to serve different market segments. Initial allocations often prioritize various stakeholder groups, creating a cascade effect where general availability becomes increasingly limited. This tiered approach contributes to the perception of scarcity among individual supporters while serving organizational needs. A substantial portion of stadium capacity serves corporate hospitality and premium experience segments, which operate under different pricing structures and availability patterns, creating alternative pathways for supporters willing to invest in enhanced experiences. The gap between primary availability and actual demand has fostered robust secondary market ecosystems where tickets change hands at market-determined prices. These platforms serve important functions by connecting sellers with buyers and providing price discovery mechanisms that reflect true demand levels. For supporters seeking alternatives to primary channels, established secondary marketplaces offer various options. Fans can buy from trusted resellers, with ticombo world cup tickets providing a reliable platform that facilitates transactions between individuals while offering verification services and transaction security features that enhance buyer confidence in the secondary market environment. Strategic Planning and Future Market Evolution Successful ticket acquisition increasingly requires strategic planning, market knowledge, and understanding of various distribution channels and timing patterns. Supporters benefit from researching multiple avenues, understanding pricing dynamics, and maintaining flexibility regarding match selection and seating preferences. Building relationships within supporter networks, monitoring multiple platforms, and maintaining awareness of release schedules can improve acquisition prospects. Additionally, considering alternative matches or venues may provide opportunities that premium fixtures cannot offer. Ticketing markets continue evolving with technological innovations, changing consumer behaviors, and organizational adaptations. Blockchain technologies, dynamic pricing models, and enhanced authentication systems represent emerging trends that may influence future accessibility patterns. The expansion of future tournaments to include more teams and matches may provide additional inventory, though historical patterns suggest that increased availability often corresponds with proportional increases in demand, potentially maintaining similar scarcity dynamics. The corporate segment serves multiple functions within the tournament ecosystem, providing revenue streams that support overall event financing while offering premium options for supporters seeking guaranteed access with additional amenities. Understanding these various market segments helps supporters identify the most appropriate pathway for their specific circumstances, budget constraints, and experience preferences. The World Cup ticketing landscape reflects broader economic principles while serving the passionate global football community. Understanding these dynamics empowers supporters to make informed decisions and explore various pathways toward experiencing the world's greatest sporting celebration. Success often comes from combining market knowledge with persistence and strategic flexibility in navigating this complex but rewarding marketplace. The key lies in recognizing that multiple legitimate channels exist for accessing tickets, each serving different needs and circumstances within the global football community. Media Contact Company Name: Ticombo Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Understanding the Shortage of World Cup Tickets
