RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ashleigh Johnson and KK Clark joined a couple of Brazilian dancers for a samba lesson. Maggie Steffens grabbed an American flag for the party on the pool deck. One by one, the players draped their gold medals around the neck of grieving coach Adam Krikorian.The U.S. saved its best for last, and Italy never stood a chance.Johnson made nine saves, Kiley Neushul scored three goals on four shots and the United States routed Italy 12-5 on Friday for its second straight Olympic gold medal in womens water polo.To play as well as we did today in that moment and that atmosphere in a gold-medal game when youve been thinking about this for the last four years is just, its a dream come true, Krikorian said.Makenzie Fischer and Rachel Fattal each had two goals for the Americans, who stretched their win streak to 22 games with their sixth victory in Rio de Janeiro by a combined score of 73-32.I think we really did change the game, said Johnson, who was voted the top goaltender of the tournament. We played completely different than the games ever been played before. Really fast, intelligent, its really fun to watch and its great to play.Russia took home the bronze, beating Hungary 19-18 on penalty shots. Its the first womens water polo medal for Russia since 2000.Neushul and Steffens each gave Krikorian a big hug as they left in the final minute, and Neushul patted him on the head. When the final seconds ticked off, Krikorian walked over to congratulate Italy coach Fabio Conti, and then was tackled into the pool by a couple of his jubilant players.In another Olympics dominated by U.S. women, Steffens -- the MVP and probably the best player in the world -- and her teammates shined as brightly as any of them. The water polo tournament shifted to the Olympic Aquatics Stadium following the swimming competition, and the array of Pac-12 stars that dominate the U.S. roster picked up right where Katie Ledecky and company left off, wearing down their opponents with superior speed, athleticism and strength.The U.S. women were the overwhelming favorites all along -- and they played like it. The 12 goals and seven-goal margin were records for the Olympic final.USA is, in this moment, a team of another universe, Conti said.The Americans pounded Brazil 13-3 before outslugging Hungary 14-10 in the semifinals. They held the lead after 23 of their 24 quarters and trailed for a total of only 44 seconds -- in the first quarter against Hungary on Wednesday.Its one of the best teams Ive ever been a part of, and Ive been a part of some really amazing teams, Neushul said. The team is so versatile, so many different threats. We have speed. We have size. We have athleticism, and I think this team was one of the first teams to display all those different styles in one team.By the time Krikorian and the U.S. staff hit the pool for a celebratory swim, the Americans possessed each of the major crowns in womens water polo, adding a second Olympic gold to their world championship, World Cup and World League Super Final titles.The scene after the final was the top of an emotional roller coaster for Krikorian, who rushed home before the United States first game to be with his family after the sudden death of his brother Blake, a former water polo player at UCLA and beloved Silicon Valley entrepreneur.Before departing for California, Krikorian met with his players and urged them to make the most of their Olympic experience. He returned in time for an opening 11-4 victory over Spain, and then nearly broke down in tears while talking about his brother after the win.Blakes 49th birthday would have been Thursday, and Krikorians wife, Anicia Mendez, surprised him in Rio to be there with him for the sad day and then the final.Its not about me and its about the team, and that has actually helped me and thats made it actually fairly easy, he said, and that doesnt take away from the love I have for my family or my brother. Its more of a sign of respect and love that I think we all have for each other.Krikorian brushed away any talk of winning it all for him and his family, insisting Blake himself would think it was a ludicrous notion, but his players pledged their support for their mourning coach. And they delivered with their play -- all the way to the gold medal.Thats what were about, Steffens said, is going out there, having fun and playing the best water polo we can.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenapRobert Horry Jersey .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets Jersey . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authentic-Clint-Capela-Rockets-Jersey/ . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Robert Horry Rockets Jersey . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Tracy McGrady Rockets Jersey . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. NEW YORK -- Vin Scully says the last ballgame he will broadcast is the Los Angeles Dodgers regular-season finale -- regardless of whether they reach the playoffs.The 88-year-old announcer tells the Los Angeles Times his Hall of Fame career will end Oct. 2 in San Francisco. Scully had already said this will be his final season in the booth after 67 years, but until Tuesday had not announced whether he planned to call any potential postseason games on radio.Scully says if he stayed on the air, he would be saying goodbye like in grand opera, where you say goodbye 12 different times.His decision was not a surprise to the team, Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck says.Scully has two farewells coming up: First, on Sept.dddddddddddd 25 during the Dodgers final home game of the regular season and then a week later at San Francisco.Looking for their first World Series appearance since winning the 1988 championship, the Dodgers began the night with a four-game lead in the NL West over the Giants.Scully switched from television to radio in recent years during the playoffs, when national broadcasters have exclusive TV rights.Not this time.Im going to say goodbye at Dodger Stadium the last game with Colorado. I will say goodbye in San Francisco. And then that will be it, he told The Times. ' ' '