Top moments in Team USA history: A look at memorable team sports performances

As the United States celebrates patriotism and its 250th birthday, Newsday looks at the most memorable performances by American athletes in which they represented their country in team-based world competition. Events are listed in chronological order. 

Men shock England in 1950 World Cup

World power England was an overwhelming favorite in this World Cup group stage match in Brazil. The U.S. team was hastily assembled and composed of part-time players, but the Americans scored a 1-0 upset. The only goal was by Haitian-born center forward Joe Gaetjens. The U.S. did not advance out of the group stage, but this match is widely considered as one of the greatest upsets in soccer and sports as a whole.

Men win 1960 Olympic hockey gold

Some observers consider this gold medal at Squaw Valley, California a bigger accomplishment than the “Miracle on Ice.” The decidedly underdog Americans, with a roster of 17 amateurs, went 7-0. Team USA routed Sweden, 6-3, and Germany, 9-1, in early matches, then scored a 2-1 win against Canada, then a 3-2 win over the Soviet Union in the semifinals. In the final, Czechoslovakia led, 4-3, before the U.S. scored six unanswered goals in a dramatic third-period comeback for a 9-4 win. Roger Christian scored three of his four goal during the game-deciding run.

Five boxing golds in Montreal 

A young and inexperienced American Olympic boxing team dominated in Montreal in 1976, winning seven medals. The team is widely regarded as one of the greatest amateur boxing squads in history. Five Americans won gold — “Sugar” Ray Leonard, brothers Leon and Michael Spinks, Howard Davis Jr. and Leo Randolph. Charles Mooney won silver and John Tate won bronze. Leonard, both Spinks, Randolph and Tate went on to win world titles as professionals.

'Miracle on Ice'

The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" was a 4-3 U.S. Olympic hockey victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union, the result being a massive morale boost to most Americans during a time of Cold War tensions, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iranian hostage crisis. The U.S. team, composed of college kids and amateurs, faced a seasoned professional Soviet unit that had won the previous four Olympic golds. Often cited as the greatest sporting moment of the 20th century, it was a "miracle" win that reminded the U.S. of its potential to overcome daunting odds.

Between 1960 and 1980, the Soviets won all 12 matches with the U.S. by a combined score of 117-26. And just one week before the 1980 Olympics, the Soviets crushed the Americans, 10-3, in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden. The crowd filled the Lake Placid Fieldhouse with chants of “U-S-A” for the semifinal showdown. Trailing 3-2 entering the third period, the U.S. got even on Mark Johnson’s power-play goal. Minutes later, team captain Mike Eruzione grabbed a loose puck in the slot and scored the go-ahead goal.

As the final seconds ticked off, broadcaster Al Michaels delivered words that still resonate: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

Two days later, the Americans rallied from a 2-1 deficit entering the third period to beat Finland, 4-2, to claim their improbable gold medal.

Coach Herb Brooks' famous speech lives on today, and they team's win was immortalized in the 2004 movie, "Miracle."

'Dream Team'

The U.S. men's 1992 Olympic basketball team, nicknamed the "Dream Team", won the gold medal at Barcelona, beating Croatia, 117-85. This was the first time active NBA players were allowed to compete in the Olympics. The Americans won all eight games by an average of 43.8 points, and not once called a timeout. They won their first game by 68 points, and the 32-point win in the final was the closest game. 

In the gold-medal game, Michael Jordan led seven U.S. double-digit scorers with 22 points. The legendary 12-man U.S. roster listed Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Chris Mullin and Christian Laettner (the only college player). Chuck Daly was the coach.

Women win 1999 World Cup

The U.S. won the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, defeating China, 5-4, in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. The final was played in front of a record-breaking 90,185 fans at the Rose Bowl. It was a tense defensive battle, highlighted by Briana Scurry’s crucial save on China's third penalty kick. Brandi Chastain secured the trophy for the U.S., converting the final penalty kick. In a memorable celebration, she dropped to her knees and ripped off her jersey, revealing her sports bra.

U.S. stuns Europe in 1999 Ryder Cup

The “Battle of Brookline” at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts saw the Europeans with a 10-6 lead at the start of Sunday's singles matches. But the U.S. won the first six matches and led, 14-12, needing only a half-point with two matches undecided to win the Cup. Justin Leonard rallied from four holes down to Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal and dropped a 40-foot putt on No. 15 to square their match. At the 17th, Leonard drained a 45-foot birdie putt and teammates, their wives and TV cameramen flooded the green in premature celebration. Olazabal missed from 22 feet to assure Leonard of a half point, guaranteeing the American victory.

Men reach 2002 World Cup quarterfinals

In Team USA’s best modern-era World Cup, the men reached the quarterfinals in South Korea. The Americans had a huge group stage upset of Portugal and a Round of 16 victory over Mexico. In the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany, the U.S. had a chance to respond early in the second half off a corner kick from Claudio Reyna. Gregg Berhalter volleyed a goal-bound shot, but the rebound hit the hand of a German player. The U.S. pleaded for a hand ball that could have resulted in a penalty kick, but the referee did not see it that way. “It was a 100% penalty,” then-U.S. manager Bruce Arena said.

Women win 2004 Olympic soccer gold

The U.S. women fell short of soccer gold in the 2000 Olympics and at the 2003 World Cup, so they had something to prove in Athens. To add to the team’s motivation, star players Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Julie Foudy had announced their retirement effective after the Games. The Americans beat Brazil in the gold-medal game, 2-1, on a header by Abby Wambach in the 112th minute.

Women claim 8th straight Olympic hoops gold

The 2024 U.S. women's basketball team won an unprecedented eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a dramatic 67-66 victory over France in Paris. The Americans extended their Olympic winning streak to 61 consecutive games after trailing by as many as 10 points in the second half. Kahleah Copper, of the Phoenix Mercury, hit two free throws in the closing seconds to help clinch it.