After winning the gold medal in 1963, the USA team lost to Brazil in both 1967 and 1971 and had recently competed in the 1975 World Championship, finishing in eighth place.
The USA team lost to Brazil in both 1967 and 1971. The USA team had recently competed in the 1975 World Championship. The USA team was finishing in eighth place. The USA team was winning the gold medal in 1963.