Donnovan laying low

In her opening run as Team USA coach, the legendary Anne Donnovan appeared hopeless as whe watched her team drop an ugly semifinal game 75-68 to Russia. This snapped a decade-long international winning streak and took away the chance to compete for the gold medal. Instead, they had to settle for the bronze medal game and grab a desperation win against Brazil. The loss cost the Americans the automatic bid to the 2008 Olympic Games, sending them to a qualifying tournament in Chile next year.

Donnovan returned to Seattle and the topic of the World Championships was publicly avoided since returning from Brazil. She buried herself in her normal duties as coach of the Storm, and was spotted last week dropping in on Sonics training camp. She was seen taking thorough notes on Bob Hill´s coaching style.

When asked about her thoughts on the future of Team USA in the 2008 Olympics, she said the following, "I get very excited about this [national] team because I think we've got a great foundation and great players to add. When I look at the programs of Russia and Australia, they're not going to be adding the same significant people that we will. So our outlook is still pretty good."

Who are the players they will add that will make a big impact? Lisa Leslie? She is getting older each year. And what about young talent? There is no experience in these players on the international scale to make the major impact that is needed. Unlike the veterans torch carriers, the new generation in the USA are taught to be individualistic and have not learned what it takes to win.

Donnovan, it is good to be optimistic, but the reality is that the USA is no longer the power house they once were. It will be a dog-fight at the 2008 Olympics; no doubt about that.