Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 10

Clark, Reese Spark USA's 108-56 Quarterfinal Rout as Partnership Powers World Cup Push

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 10

Clark, Reese Spark USA's 108-56 Quarterfinal Rout as Partnership Powers World Cup Push

Q: Team USA barely escaped Italy before crushing Hungary, but which version of the Americans will show up against the remaining global challengers?

The likelier version is the Hungary one, but probably not at 52-point-blowout extremes. Team USA’s higher-ceiling identity is clear: deep, fast, defense-driven and unselfish. When that group is active defensively and moving the ball, it still looks like the tournament favorite. The evidence is strong. Against Hungary, the Americans set a World Cup record with 31 assists, had all 12 players score, got 19 points from Napheesa Collier, and again saw Caitlin Clark organize the offense with nine assists. Angel Reese’s energy, rebounding and connective passing added to a bench unit that changes pace and pressure. Team USA also piled up paint points, transition chances and turnovers forced, the formula that has fueled its long World Cup winning streak. The Italy scare, though, remains the warning sign. In that game the U.S. struggled badly in half-court offense, shot poorly from the field and from three, and lacked easy answers when the game slowed down. That matters because the remaining challengers — Spain or Australia next, and possibly France later — are better equipped than Hungary to limit transition and test execution. So the real question is not whether Team USA can dominate, but whether it can manufacture efficient offense when the open floor disappears. If Clark’s playmaking, Stewart’s veteran control, and the team’s ball movement continue to stabilize those stretches, the Americans should still look more like the Hungary version than the Italy version.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 10

Clark and Reese delivered their strongest Team USA showing yet in Thursday’s 108-56 quarterfinal win over Hungary, repeatedly linking up off the bench as the Americans reached the semifinals.
Clark finished with 10 points and 9 assists, while Reese added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists; Reese said years of facing Clark made their on-court reads come naturally.
Team USA turned that chemistry into a record-setting performance, scoring 108 points — the most ever in a Women’s World Cup quarterfinal — on 59% shooting with 31 assists.
The pairing carries extra weight because neither made the 2024 Olympic roster, and this tournament is their first senior international chance to cement roles before the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The win extended the United States’ World Cup streak to 34 games and moved it within two victories of a fifth straight title before Saturday’s semifinal against Australia or Spain.