The United States women's national water polo team represents the United States in international women's water polo competitions and friendly matches. It is one of the leading teams in the world since the late 1990s. Women's water polo has been on the international stage since 1978 and was an exhibition sport at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics coached by Sandy Nitta before being introduced as a full medal sport in 2000.

Quick Facts FINA code, Association ...
United States
FINA codeUSA
AssociationUSA Water Polo
ConfederationUANA (Americas)
Head coachAdam Krikorian
Asst coachMolly Cahill
Christoph Oeding
CaptainMaggie Steffens
FINA ranking (since 2008)
Current2 (as of August 9, 2021)
Highest1 (2009–2012, 2013–2019)
Lowest2 (2008, 2013, 2021)
Olympic Games (team statistics)
Appearances7 (first in 2000)
Best result (2012, 2016, 2020)
World Championship
Appearances17 (first in 1986)
Best result (2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024)
World Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1979)
Best result (1979, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2023)
World League
Appearances18 (first in 2004)
Best result (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Pan American Games
Appearances7 (first in 1999)
Best result (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Pan American Championships
Best result (2013, 2024)
Media
Websiteusawaterpolo.org
Last updated: November 26, 2024
Close

On March 27, 2009, USA Water Polo named Adam Krikorian the head coach of the United States women's national team. Krikorian was the UCLA men's and women's water polo team head coach.[1][2]

Results

Summarize
Perspective

Major tournaments

Competitive record

Updated after the 2025 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup.

More information Tournament, Appearances ...
TournamentAppearancesFinishes
ChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeTotal
Olympic Games732117
World Championship17812213
World Cup19551314
World League181412017
Pan American Games761007
Total6836106658
Close

Olympic Games

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result Pld W L D
Australia 2000 Silver medal[3]:56 7 4 2 1
Greece 2004 Bronze medal 5 3 2 0
China 2008 Silver medal 5 3 1 1
United Kingdom 2012 Gold medal 6 5 0 1
Brazil 2016 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Japan 2020 Gold medal 7 6 1 0
France 2024 4th place 7 4 3 0
Total3 Titles433193
Close

World Championship

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result Pld W L D
Spain 1986 Bronze medal[3]:57 8 4 2 2
Australia 1991 Bronze medal 6 3 2 1
Italy 1994 4th place 7 4 2 1
Australia 1998 8th place 7 2 4 1
Japan 2001 4th place 8 5 2 1
Spain 2003 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Canada 2005 Silver medal 7 4 2 1
Australia 2007 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Italy 2009 Gold medal 7 6 1 0
China 2011 6th place 6 3 2 1
Spain 2013 5th place 7 6 1 0
Russia 2015 Gold medal 7 6 1 0
Hungary 2017 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
South Korea 2019 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Hungary 2022 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Japan 2023 5th place 6 5 1 0
Qatar 2024 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Total8 Titles11284208
Close

World Cup

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result Pld W L D
United States 1979 Gold medal[3]:67 4 3 0 1
Netherlands 1980 Silver medal 4 2 1 1
Australia 1981 4th place
Canada 1983 Silver medal 6 3 2 1
United States 1984 Silver medal
New Zealand 1988 4th place
Netherlands 1989 Silver medal
United States 1991 Bronze medal
Italy 1993 5th place
Australia 1995 6th place
France 1997 7th place
Canada 1999 6th place 5 2 2 1
Australia 2002 Silver medal 5 3 1 1
China 2006 4th place 5 3 2 0
New Zealand 2010 Gold medal 6 5 1 0
Russia 2014 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Russia 2018 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
United States 2023 Gold medal 9 7 2 0
2025 Division 1[4] 6 1 5 0
Total5 Titles6241165
Close

World League

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result Pld W L D
United States 2004 Gold medal[3]:78 5 4 1 0
Russia 2005 5th place 14 10 4 0
Italy 2006 Gold medal 12 10 2 0
Canada 2007 Gold medal 7 7 0 0
Spain 2008 Silver medal 6 5 1 0
Russia 2009 Gold medal 5 5 0 0
United States 2010 Gold medal 3 3 0 0
China 2011 Gold medal 3 3 0 0
China 2012 Gold medal 10 10 0 0
China 2013 Bronze medal 3 2 1 0
China 2014 Gold medal 12 11 1 0
China 2015 Gold medal 12 12 0 0
China 2016 Gold medal 11 11 0 0
China 2017 Gold medal 12 11 1 0
China 2018 Gold medal 11 10 1 0
Hungary 2019 Gold medal 12 12 0 0
Greece 2020 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Spain 2022 Bronze medal 11 8 3 0
Total14 Titles155140150
Close

Pan American Games

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result Pld W L D
Canada 1999 Silver medal 6 3 3 0
Dominican Republic 2003 Gold medal 6 5 0 1
Brazil 2007 Gold medal 7 7 0 0
Mexico 2011 Gold medal 5 5 0 0
Canada 2015 Gold medal 5 5 0 0
Peru 2019 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Chile 2023 Gold medal 6 6 0 0
Total6 Titles413731
Close

Minor tournaments

The United States is usually represented by a U20 team in these competitions.

Summer Universiade

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result
2011 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Silver medal
2013 8th place
2015 5th place
2017 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2019 8th place
Total1 Title
Close

Pan American Championships

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result
Canada 2009 Cancelled [5]
Brazil 2011 Did not participated
Canada 2013 (A)
United States 2013 (B) Gold medal
Canada 2015 Did not participated
2017 Not scheduled
2018
Brazil 2019 Did not participated
2021 Cancelled
Brazil 2023 Did not participated
Colombia 2024 Gold medal
Total2 Titles
Close

Holiday Cup

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result
1998 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Silver medal
1999 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Bronze medal
2000 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2001 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2002 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2003 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2004 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2006 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
2007 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Bronze medal
Total6 Titles
Close

Kirishi Cup

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result
2014 1st place, gold medalist(s) Gold medal
Total1 Title
Close

World Games

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result
1981 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Silver medal (World Cup team)
Total0 Title
Close

Olympic Year Tournament

More information Year, Result ...
Year Result
1996 7th place
Total0 Title
Close

Team

Summarize
Perspective

Current squad

Roster for the 2025 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup.[6]

Head coach: Adam Krikorian

  • 1 Amanda Longan GK
  • 2 Allison Cohen DF
  • 3 Tara Prentice CF
  • 4 Malia Allen AT (L)
  • 5 Chrissy Flynn AT
  • 6 Lucy Haaland-Ford DF
  • 7 Maryn Dempsey AT
  • 8 Charlotte Raisin AT
  • 9 Jovana Sekulic CF
  • 10 Maggie Ryan UT
  • 11 Sam Hofley UT
  • 12 Lily Palma CF
  • 13 Isabel Williams GK
  • 14 Natalia Szczerba AT (L)
  • 15 Jailynn Robinson AT

Former squads

Olympic Games

World Aquatics Championships

World Cup

  • 1979 FINA World CupLynn Comer, Laura Cox, Dion Dickinson, Vaune Kadlubek, Debby Kemp, Simone LaPay, Marsha McCuen-Kavanaugh, Sue McIntyre, Maureen O'Toole, Sallie Thomas, and Lyn Taylor.
  • 1981 FINA World CupLynn Comer, Laura Cox, Ruth Cox, Debbie Decker, Leslie Entwistle, Karen Hastie, Vaune Kadlubek, Simone LaPay, Robin Linn, Sue McIntyre, Maureen O'Toole, Marla Smith

World League

Pan American Games

Other tournaments

  • 1981 World GamesLynn Comer, Laura Cox, Ruth Cox, Debbie Decker, Leslie Entwistle, Karen Hastie, Vaune Kadlubek, Simone LaPay, Robin Linn, Sue McIntyre, Maureen O'Toole, Marla Smith

Statistics

Summarize
Perspective

Olympic Games

More information Rk., Pos. ...
Abbreviations
Rk. Rank Pos. Playing position App. Appearances
Ref. References A Attacker C Center
D Defender GK Goalkeeper U Utility
Close

Age records

More information Rk., Player ...
Top 10 youngest Olympians (Olympic medalists)
Rk.PlayerPos.BirthdateGameAge of first app.Ref.
1 Aria FischerCMarch 2, 19992016 1st place, gold medalist(s)17 years, 160 days[23]
2 Maddie MusselmanAJune 16, 19982016 1st place, gold medalist(s)18 years, 54 days[24]
3 Maggie SteffensA/DJune 4, 19932012 1st place, gold medalist(s)19 years, 56 days[25]
4 Makenzie FischerDMarch 29, 19972016 1st place, gold medalist(s)19 years, 133 days[26]
5 Ericka LorenzAFebruary 18, 19812000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)19 years, 211 days[27]
6 Kelly RulonAAugust 16, 19842004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)20 years, 0 days[28]
7 Brenda VillaAApril 18, 19802000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)20 years, 151 days[29]
8 Annika DriesCFebruary 10, 19922012 1st place, gold medalist(s)20 years, 171 days[30]
9 Kami CraigCJuly 21, 19872008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)21 years, 21 days[31]
10 Jessica SteffensDApril 7, 19872008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)21 years, 126 days[32]
Close
More information Rk., Player ...
Top 10 oldest Olympians (Olympic medalists)
Rk.PlayerPos.BirthdateGameAge of last app.Ref.
1 Maureen O'TooleMarch 24, 19612000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)39 years, 183 days[33]
2 Heather PetriAJune 13, 19782012 1st place, gold medalist(s)34 years, 57 days[34]
3 Brenda VillaAApril 18, 19802012 1st place, gold medalist(s)32 years, 113 days[29]
4 Heather MoodyCAugust 21, 19732004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)31 years, 5 days[35]
5 Kathy SheehyApril 26, 19702000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)30 years, 150 days[36]
6 Courtney MathewsonASeptember 14, 19862016 1st place, gold medalist(s)29 years, 340 days[37]
7 Betsey ArmstrongGKJanuary 31, 19832012 1st place, gold medalist(s)29 years, 191 days[38]
8 Kami CraigCJuly 21, 19872016 1st place, gold medalist(s)29 years, 29 days[31]
9 Lauren WengerUMarch 11, 19842012 1st place, gold medalist(s)28 years, 151 days[39]
10 Kelly RulonAAugust 16, 19842012 1st place, gold medalist(s)27 years, 359 days[28]
Close

Most appearances

The following tables are pre-sorted by number of appearances, date of last appearance, date of birth, respectively.

Three athletes have each made at least three Olympic appearances. Heather Petri and Brenda Villa are the only two American female water polo players to have competed in four Olympic Games.

More information App., Name ...
App.NamePos.BirthdateGames as playerPeriodAge of first app.Age of last app.Ref.
4 Heather PetriAJune 13, 19782000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)12 years22 years, 95 days34 years, 57 days[34]
Brenda VillaAApril 18, 19802000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)12 years20 years, 151 days32 years, 113 days[29]
3 Kami CraigCJuly 21, 19872008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)8 years21 years, 21 days29 years, 29 days[31]
Close

Two men have each made at least two Olympic appearances as head coaches of the United States women's national team.

More information App., Name ...
App.NameBirthdateGames as head coachPeriodAge of first app.Age of last app.Ref.
3 Guy Baker2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)8 years[40][41]
2 Adam KrikorianJuly 22, 19742012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)4 years38 years, 8 days42 years, 28 days[40]
Close

Leading scorers

The following tables are pre-sorted by number of goals, date of the game (match), name of the player, respectively.

Maggie Steffens is the American female water polo player with the most goals at the Olympic Games, scoring 38.

More information Rk., Player ...
Players with at least 12 goals at the Olympic Games
Rk.PlayerPos.Games (goals)Total
goals
Matches
played
Goals
per
match
Ref.
1 Maggie SteffensA/D2012 (21) 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 (17) 1st place, gold medalist(s)38123.166[25]
2 Brenda VillaA2000 (9) 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 (7) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 (9) 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 (6) 1st place, gold medalist(s)31231.347[29]
3 Kami CraigC2008 (6) 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 (6) 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 (5) 1st place, gold medalist(s)17171.000[31]
4 Courtney MathewsonA2012 (7) 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 (7) 1st place, gold medalist(s)14121.166[37]
5 Maddie MusselmanA2016 (12) 1st place, gold medalist(s)1262.000[24]
Close
More information Rk., Player ...
Players with at least 8 goals in an Olympic tournament
Rk.PlayerPos.GameGoalsMatches
played
Goals
per
match
Ref.
1 Maggie SteffensD2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)2163.500[25]
2 Maggie SteffensA2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)1762.833[25]
3 Maddie MusselmanA2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)1262.000[24]
4 Kiley NeushulA2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)1061.666[42]
5 Coralie Simmons2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)971.285[43]
Brenda VillaA2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)971.285[29]
Natalie GoldaD2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)952.250[44]
Brenda VillaA2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)952.250[29]
9 Brittany HayesA2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)851.600[45]
Close
More information Rk., Player ...
Players with at least 4 goals in an Olympic match
Rk.PlayerPos.GoalsDateMatchGameRef.
1 Maggie SteffensD7July 30, 2012 United States 14–13  Hungary2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)[25]
2 Maggie SteffensD5August 9, 2012 United States 8–5  Spain2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)[25]
3 Brenda VillaA4September 20, 2000 United States 9–6  Kazakhstan2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s)[29]
Brenda VillaA4August 16, 2004 United States 7–6  Hungary2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)[29]
Natalie GoldaD4August 11, 2008 United States 12–11  China2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)[44]
Courtney MathewsonA4July 30, 2012 United States 14–13  Hungary2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)[37]
Kami CraigC4August 1, 2012 United States 9–9  Spain2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)[31]
Maggie SteffensD4August 7, 2012 United States 11–9  Australia2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)[25]
Maddie MusselmanA4August 11, 2016 United States 12–4  China2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)[24]
Maggie SteffensA4August 11, 2016 United States 12–4  China2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)[25]
Maggie SteffensA4August 13, 2016 United States 11–6  Hungary2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)[25]
Maggie SteffensA4August 17, 2016 United States 14–10  Hungary2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)[25]
Close

Multiple medalists

Thumb
Heather Petri
Thumb
Brenda Villa

Seventeen athletes have each won at least two Olympic medals in water polo. Heather Petri and Brenda Villa are the only two American female water polo players to have won four Olympic medals.

More information Rk., Name ...
Rk.NamePos.Games as playerMedalsRef.
GoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Heather PetriA2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1214[34]
Brenda VillaA2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1214[29]
3 Kami CraigC2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)2103[31]
4 Courtney MathewsonA2012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)2002[37]
Melissa SeidemannD2012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)2002[46]
Maggie SteffensA/D2012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s)2002[25]
7 Betsey ArmstrongGK2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1102[38]
Jessica SteffensD2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1102[32]
Lauren WengerU2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1102[39]
Elsie WindesD2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1102[47]
11 Kelly RulonA2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2012 1st place, gold medalist(s)1012[28]
12 Robin BeauregardC2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)0112[48]
Ellen Estes2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)0112[47]
Natalie GoldaD2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)0112[44]
Ericka LorenzA2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)0112[27]
Heather MoodyC2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)0112[35]
Nicolle PayneGK2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)0112[40]
Close

Two men have each led teams to at least three Olympic medals as head coaches of the United States women's national team.

More information Rk., Name ...
Rk.NameGames as head coachMedalsRef.
GoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Guy Baker2000 2nd place, silver medalist(s), 2004 3rd place, bronze medalist(s), 2008 2nd place, silver medalist(s)0213[40][41]
2 Adam Krikorian2012 1st place, gold medalist(s), 2016 1st place, gold medalist(s), 20201st place, gold medalist(s)3003[40]
Close

See also

References

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.