The 2012 USA Women’s National team will play its first exhibition game against Brazil on July 16 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. With Geno Auriemma leading the team, anything less than a gold medal would be a failure. His resume is all about perfection, and perfection will be needed in this year’s quest for the Olympic gold.

With that being said, Geno Auriemma and his fab six bring gold medal experience, championship experience, continuity and a complete understanding of what it takes to win. Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Swin Cash, Asjah Jones and Tina Charles give Geno some much needed player familiarity. This UConn alumni will be a positive for the team as it brings team cohesiveness and a little continuity that otherwise may have not been there because of limited practice time.

Alongside the UConn alumni, in a class of their own, finishing out the roster are Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Angel McCoughtry, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus.

This year’s team has plenty of star power but still may be at a slight disadvantage because of other European national teams’ abilities to hold training camps all summer. Russia, Australia and Brazil kept many of their star players such as Erika de Souza and Lauren Jackson, just to name a few from returning to the WNBA so they could focus on winning the gold.

Australia, Brazil, and Russia have built up fortified teams with great talent. With that being said on paper and on the court they still aren’t as strong as the United States squad. Just like the nursery rhyme “London Bridge is Falling Down,” the U.S. women should dominate and break teams down as they win another gold medal.

Stay tuned as I give a player’s perspective throughout the month as our women go after the gold.

This article was originally posted by WNBA veteran Chasity Melvin on July 11 at Chas #44 City.com.

Photo credit: Geoff Burke/US PRESSWIRE