An attack on the American female team (9)
I believe the answer is:
broadside
'an attack' is the definition.
(broadside is a kind of attack)
'on the american female team' is the wordplay.
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'the american female' becomes 'broad' (broad is a kind of female. I am not sure about the 'american' bit.).
'team' becomes 'side' (both can mean a sports team).
'broad' put next to 'side' is 'BROADSIDE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for broadside that I've seen before include "Strongly critical verbal attack" , "barrage" , "A strong attack in words - or by old ship" , "Stick" , "Firing of all guns to port or starboard - critical attack" .)