US Coach Kara Lawson opens up on importance of winning World Cup final for country on 9/11 anniversary weekend

Team USA women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson hopes her team can give Americans another reason to unite during an emotional weekend for the country.

The U.S. advanced to the FIBA Women’s World Cup championship game with a 76-66 victory over Spain in Berlin on Saturday, one day after the 25th anniversary of the Sept.

11 terrorist attacks.

Lawson said after the USA's semifinal win over Spain that winning the championship would carry added meaning after the somber anniversary.

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DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW! "I think, you know, being a part of USA Basketball for so long, there’s a great pride in it," Lawson said.

"I mean, from when I was 17 years old until now, being a part of it in different capacities, you know, I think—I don’t know if there’s anyone prouder to represent the U.S. than I am in this capacity.

"And so we think about that.

And I felt the presence of the U.S. here, even though we are in Europe.

I felt it, and certainly felt it yesterday in 9/11 and, you know, a somber anniversary." The 2001 terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Americans marked the milestone Friday with remembrance ceremonies across the country.

Lawson called the anniversary a "powerful memory" that remains with her and the team beyond one day.

OPINION: SPORTS IS ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST TRADITIONS AND A POWERFUL FORCE THAT UNITES US "And it’s something that was, you know, a powerful memory, and something that is on our minds, certainly on that day, but really other days as well," Lawson said.

"It would mean a ton to win a World Cup for our country.