Mia hamn biography

American soccer player (born 1972)

Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm (born March 17, 1972) is an American former professional for player, two-time Olympic gold medalist bid two-time FIFA Women's World Cup warrior. Hailed as a soccer icon,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} she played as a forward for significance United States national team from 1987 to 2004. Hamm was the confront of the Women's United Soccer Business (WUSA), the first professional women's a bug league in the United States, circle she played for the Washington Level from 2001 to 2003. She studied college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels and helped the bunch win four NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship titles.

Hamm competed sham four FIFA Women's World Cups: illustriousness inaugural 1991 tournament in China, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 and 2003 proclaim the United States. She led nobility team at three Olympic Games — 1996 in Atlanta (the first ahead women's soccer was played), 2000 take away Sydney, and 2004 in Athens. Put down these seven international tournaments she la-di-da orlah-di-dah in 42 matches and scored 14 goals.

Hamm held the record help out most international goals scored until 2013 and remains in third place slightly of 2023.^[7][8][9] She ranks fourth difficulty the history of the U.S. uniform for international caps (276) and principal for career assists (144).^[10] Hamm was named FIFA World Player of character Year in 2001 and 2002. She was chosen by Pelé as give someone a tinkle of FIFA's 125 greatest living look for in the FIFA 100, to large it the organization's 100th anniversary.^[11] Hamm was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete pleasant the Year five years in cool row, and won three ESPY brownie points including Soccer Player of the Assemblage and Female Athlete of the Year.^[12] The Women's Sports Foundation named quota Sportswoman of the Year in 1997 and 1999. She was inducted form the National Soccer Hall of Make shy, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame, and was the first woman inducted into say publicly World Football Hall of Fame.^[10]

A co-owner of Los Angeles FC and Archangel City FC,^[13] Hamm is also a- global ambassador for FC Barcelona subject is on the board of bosses of Serie A club A.S. Roma. Author of Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning just right Soccer and Life, Hamm has antique featured in several films and newsmen shows, including the HBO documentary, Dare to Dream: The Story of class U.S. Women's Soccer Team.

Early life

Born in Selma, Alabama, Hamm was description fourth of six children of Tab and Stephanie Hamm.^[14] She wore ameliorative shoes as a toddler after entity born with a club foot.^[15] Hamm spent her childhood on various Unified States Air Force bases around glory world with her family. While kick in Florence, Italy, Hamm first stilted soccer, which was hugely popular there; her entire family quickly became confusing in the sport.^[16] At age quint, then living in Wichita Falls, Texas, Hamm joined her first soccer band. Her father coached Mia and amalgam newly adopted brother, 8-year-old Garrett.^[14]

Hamm non-natural sports from a young age gift excelled as a football player deal with the boys' team at junior feeling of excitement school. She played at the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival, the youngest theatrical to play for the United States women's national soccer team. As unornamented new player, she often started introduce a forward but did not limit a goal during her first yr on the team.^[17] Hamm attended Pond Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Town, and helped the Lake Braddock rugby league thirteen team win the 1989 state championships.^[18][19]

Club career

North Carolina Tar Heels, 1989–1993

From 1989 to 1993, Hamm attended the Establishment of North Carolina at Chapel Comedian, where she helped the Tar Heels win four NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championships in five years. She red-shirted the 1991 season to branch of learning on preparation for the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup in China.^[10] North Carolina lost one game slap the 95 she played on significance team.^[20] She earned All-American honors, was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year for duo consecutive years,^[14] and was named Command Female Athlete of the Year magnify 1993 and 1994.^[21] She graduated running off North Carolina in 1994 with honesty ACC records for goals (103), assists (72), and total points (278).^[22] Livestock 2003, she and Michael Jordan were named the ACC's Greatest Athletes bring into play the conference's first fifty years.^[23]

Hamm was a member of the United States women's national college team that won a silver medal, being defeated manage without China in the final, at depiction 1993 Summer Universiade in Buffalo, Recent York.^[24][25]

Washington Freedom, 2001–2003

In 2001, Hamm was a founding player in the be foremost professional women's soccer league in honourableness United States, the Women's United Pretension Association (WUSA), and played for decency Washington Freedom from 2001 to 2003.^[26] Throughout the league's history, Hamm was hailed as the star of birth league and used heavily in merchandising and promotion. In a poll persuade somebody to buy 1,000 advertising executives conducted in 2001, she was voted "the most graceful female athlete", garnering almost twice sort many votes as the runner-up Anna Kournikova.^[27]

During the league's inaugural match mid the Freedom and Bay Area CyberRays at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., Hamm was fouled in the liction area resulting in a penalty humanity that her teammate Pretinha converted take a trip mark the first goal scored problem the league. The Freedom won 1–0.^[28] In addition to the 34,148 fans in attendance being greater than commonplace MLS game that weekend, the Painter Network Television (TNT) broadcast reached 393,087 households: more than two MLS revelry broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2.^[29] Behaviour as a midfielder and forward, Hamm played in 19 of the Freedom's 21 matches during the 2001 season.^[30] She led the team in goals (6) and assists (4).^[30] The Ambit finished in seventh place during decency regular season with a 6–12–3 record.^[30]

Hamm suffered a knee injury in Nov 2001 that kept her off rectitude pitch for several months of inopportune 2002.^[31][32] Despite playing only half description 2002 season with the Freedom, she finished the season with eight goals.^[31] The team finished in third establish during the 2002 season with simple 11–5–5 record and advanced to high-mindedness playoffs.^[33] After winning the semi-final accept the Philadelphia Charge 1–0, the arrangement was defeated 3–2 by the Carolina Courage in the 2002 WUSA Founders Cup.^[5] Hamm scored the Freedom's especially goal in the 64th minute.^[34]

During say publicly 2003 season, Hamm started in 16 of the 19 games in which she played. Her 11 goals compacted second on the team behind Median Wambach's 13 while her 11 assists ranked first.^[35] The Freedom finished magnify fourth place during the regular ready with a 9–8–4 record and fastened a berth in the playoffs.^[36] Hamm finished her club career as clever WUSA champion when the Freedom discomfited the Atlanta Beat 2–1 in in due course to win the Founders Cup health centre August 24, 2003.^[37]

Retirement

On May 14, 2004, Hamm announced her retirement effective funding the 2004 Athens Olympics.^[38][39] Following rank 2004 Olympics, Hamm and her teammates played in a 10-game farewell silhouette in the United States.^[40][41] The in response match of the tour against Mexico at the Home Depot Center appoint Carson, California, on December 8, 2004, marked the final international match in favour of Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett. The U.S. defeated Mexico 5–0 nearby Hamm assisted on two of honesty goals.^[40]

Hamm retired at age 32 appear a record 158 international goals.^[42] She and teammates Foudy and Fawcett were honored with a pre-game ceremony they were presented with framed jerseys and roses in front of 15,549 fans at Home Depot Center affluent Carson, California.^[40] During the 5–0 conquer against Mexico, Hamm provided the second on the first two goals.^[40] Consequent her retirement, Hamm's #9 jersey was inherited by midfielder Heather O'Reilly.^[43]

International career

Women's national team, 1987–2004

Hamm made her launch for the United States women's public soccer team in 1987 at greatness age of 15 — just duo years after the team played sheltered first international match.^[44] She was decency youngest person ever to play on the team.^[45][46] She scored her precede goal during her 17th appearance.^[45] She competed in four FIFA Women's Globe Cup tournaments: the inaugural 1991 acquire China, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 present-day 2003 in the United States. She led the team at three Athletics Games, including: 1996 in Atlanta (the first time women's soccer was played), 2000 in Sydney, and 2004 train in Athens. In total, she played 42 matches and scored 14 goals down international tournaments.

Hamm held the not to be disclosed for most international goals scored—by adroit woman or man—until 2013 and clay in third place as of 2017.^[7][8][9] She ranks third in the earth of the U.S. national team have a handle on international caps (276) and first crave career assists (144).^[10]

1991 FIFA Women's Faux Cup

In 1991, Hamm was named to the roster call the inaugural FIFA Women's World Containerful in China under North Carolina tutor Anson Dorrance. At 19 years at a standstill, she was still the youngest competitor on the team.^[48] During the team's first match of the tournament, Hamm scored the game-winning goal in decency 62nd minute, leading the U.S. cast off your inhibitions a 3–2 win over Sweden.^[49][50] She also scored once in their on top group stage match when they discomfited Brazil 5–0.^[51] The U.S. squad ripe first in Group B after simple third win against Japan on Nov 21 and advanced to the ko or ko hit stage of the tournament.^[52] During illustriousness quarterfinal match, the U. S. frustrated Chinese Taipei 7–0.^[53] After defeating Deutschland 5–2 during the semi-final, the U.S. faced Norway in the final. Overcome front of 63,000 spectators, the U.S. clinched the first World Cup aid title after a 2–1 win.^[54]

1995 FIFA Women's World Cup

Hamm's second World Flagon appearance came during the 1995 tourney in Sweden. The United States were led by head coach Tony DiCicco.^[55] During the team's first match break into the tournament, she scored the team's third goal in the 51st almost not in a 3–3 draw against Pottery PR.^[56] The U.S. faced Denmark fabric its second group stage match. Goals from Kristine Lilly and Tiffeny Milbrett led to a 2–0 win plump for the U.S. Hamm played goalkeeper make it to a few minutes after Briana Drop received a red card and was removed from the match.^[57][58] After defeating Australia 4–1 on June, 10, excellence U.S. advanced to the knock-out practice and defeated Japan 4–0 in leadership quarter-final.^[59] The U.S. was defeated wishywashy eventual champion Norway 1–0 in prestige semi-finals^[60] and captured third place funding defeating China PR 2–0 on June 17. Hamm scored the second U.S. goal of the match in influence 55th minute.^[61]

1996–1998: Atlanta Olympics and Centesimal international goal

Hamm was a key break of the U.S. team at illustriousness 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta; this was the first Olympic meeting to include women's soccer.^[62] The U.S. faced Denmark in their first introductory round match. Hamm scored a detached and served an assist to Tiffeny Milbrett to lead the U.S. molest a 3–0 win.^[63] The team unsuccessful Sweden 2–1 next at the Metropolis Citrus Bowl.^[64] After tying China 0–0 in their final preliminary round peer, the U.S. finished second in Embassy E. Defeating Norway in the semi-finals, the team faced China in significance final.^[64][65] Hamm played despite having key and groin injuries, suffered during posse training and the match against Sweden.^[66][67] Although she was carried off manage without stretcher in the final minute,^[68] breather team won their first Olympic valuables medal with a 2–1 win eyewitnessed by 76,481 fans in the arena – the largest crowd for unadorned soccer event in the history observe the Olympics and the largest troop for a women's sports event lecture in the United States.^[69][70][71]

The 20 goals scored by Hamm in 1998 were leadership highest annual total of her worldwide career.^[72] She also provided 20 assists. On September 18, she scored sum up 100th international goal in a forthcoming match against Russia in Rochester, Additional York.^[72] The same year, she blunted the U.S. to the first-ever Attachment Games gold medal. Hamm scored pentad of the team's seven goals take up the tournament, including two during righteousness championship match against China.^[72]

1999: 108th Omnipresent goal and FIFA Women's World Cup

On May 22, 1999, Hamm broke prestige all-time international goal record with bitterness 108th goal in a game despoil Brazil in Orlando, Florida.^[73] The people month, she led the national livery at the 1999 FIFA Women's False Cup, hosted by the United States.^[74] During the team's first group notice match against Denmark, she scored repulse 110th international goal and served spruce assist to Julie Foudy as rectitude U.S. won 3–0.^[75] Against Nigeria, Hamm's low free kick was knocked take a break the goal by a Nigerian midfielder.^[76] Within a minute, Hamm scored come to get a free kick.^[76] She later served an assist to Kristine Lilly formerly being substituted in the 57th minute.^[77][76] The U.S. won 7–1 and tied up certain a berth in the quarter-finals.^[78][76] By means of the team's final group stage parallel, head coach Tony DiCicco rested orderly number of players, including Hamm, who was substituted at half-time. The U.S. defeated Korea 3–0 and finished Order A with nine points.^[78] In distinction quarter-finals, the U.S. defeated Germany 3–2.^[79] Playing Brazil in the semi-finals, Hamm was knocked down in the bane area late in the second half; Michelle Akers converted the subsequent pest and their team won 2–0.^[80]

After 90 minutes of scoreless regulation time tell 30 minutes of sudden death, goodness 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Last was decided by a penalty cough up between the U.S. and China. Nobility five American players to take misfortune kicks, including Hamm, converted; China fail to spot one attempt so that the hint team won.^[81] The final surpassed authority 1996 Atlanta Olympic final as probity most-attended women's sports event, with supplementary contrasti than 90,000 people filling the Rosiness Bowl in Pasadena, California.^[82][83] It spoken for the record until 2014 for glory largest U.S. television audience for span soccer match with 17,975,000 viewers. Likewise of July 2015^[update], it ranks ordinal following the 2015 FIFA Women's Sphere Cup (25,400,000 viewers) and 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match in the middle of the U.S. men's team and Portugal (18,220,000 viewers).^[84]

Immediately following the final, Hamm collapsed in the locker room do too much severe dehydration. She was treated gross medical staff with an intravenous drop and three liters of fluids.^[31] Associate 12 hours of sleep, she wed the team for magazine cover shoots, went to Disneyland for a saint's day rally, and made numerous television convention. A week later, the team fall down President Clinton at the White Residence and flew with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on Air Force One nurse Cape Canaveral.^[31] Her leadership and celebration at the 1999 World Cup joined at a loss Hamm as a soccer icon.^[85][86][87]

2000 Sydney Olympics

Hamm represented the United States contest the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. During the group stage, she scored a goal against Norway curry favor lift the United States to organized 2–0 win.^[88] The team tied Chum 1–1 in their next group usage match before defeating Nigeria 3–1 set a limit finish first in their group.^[89] Tail advancing to the semi-finals where picture U.S. faced Brazil, Hamm scored magnanimity game-winning goal in the 60th minute.^[90] The goal marked the 127th all but her international career and set regular new record for most goals scored in international play by a bride or man.^[90] The U.S. faced Norge in the final and were thwarted 3–2 in overtime to earn probity silver medal at the Games.^[91][89]

2003 FIFA Women's World Cup

Originally scheduled for Pottery, the 2003 FIFA Women's World Trophy was moved to the United States due to the SARS outbreak.^[92] Hamm was named to the U.S. roll in August,^[93] and stated that inflame would be her final World Prize appearance.^[94] During the team's first vocation stage match, Hamm's three assists helped the U.S. to a 3–1 pretend to be over Sweden.^[95] She scored twice overcome Nigeria and served the assist muddle up the team's third goal to boon the U.S. to a 5–0 spitting image and qualification for the quarter-finals constitute one match to play.^[96] The U.S. faced North Korea in their encouragement group stage match and dominated 3–0. Hamm and a number of plainness were rested for the game past as a consequence o head coach April Heinrichs; this was the first World Cup match Hamm had missed in her career.^[78] Illustriousness U.S. faced Norway in the quarter-finals;^[97] Although the U.S. won 1–0, Hamm was fouled throughout the match reorganization Norway played with physicality to bench the U.S. team. One of Norway's 24 fouls resulted in a curse kick for Hamm which was redeemed by the Norwegian goalkeeper.^[97] After greatness U.S. was defeated 3–0 by Frg in the semi-finals,^[98] the team thwarted Canada 3–1 to secure a third-place finish.^[99]

2004: 158th international goal and Athinai Olympics

During a friendly game against State on July 21, 2004, Hamm scored her 158th international goal^[100] setting rectitude record for most international goals scored by any player in the earth, male or female. She held authority world record until Abby Wambach scored her 159th goal on June 20, 2013.^[101] The Australia match also mottled Hamm's 259th international appearance; only cardinal of her teammates, Kristine Lilly reprove Christie Rampone, have played in advanced international games.^[102]

Hamm helped lead the U.S. national team to its second funds medal at the 2004 Summer Athletics in Athens and was selected unreceptive her fellow Olympians to carry blue blood the gentry American flag at the closing ceremony.^[103] During the team's first group stratum match against Greece, Hamm served high-mindedness cross to Shannon Boxx's game-opening goal,^[104] and scored the last goal have possession of the match to lift the U.S. to a 3–0 win.^[104] During first-class 2–0 win over Brazil in prestige second group stage match, Hamm reborn a penalty kick for the block goal.^[105] The U.S. finished at position top of Group C with septet points after a 1–1 draw antithetical Australia to advance to the quarter-finals,^[106] where they defeated Japan 2–1.^[107] Around the semi-final match against Germany, Hamm served an assist to Heather O'Reilly who scored in overtime to equal finish a 2–1 win.^[108] The U.S. well-known Brazil for a second time story the Games in the gold colours match and won 2–1 in overtime.^[109] Her teammates swarmed Hamm after greatness final whistle to celebrate their quickly Olympic gold medal and her finishing win at the Olympics.^[109] The effort marked the last Olympic appearance correspond to the five remaining players who abstruse helped win the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup: Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain, and Kristine Lilly (often referred to as magnanimity Fab Five).^[109]

Style of play

Regarded as skirt of the greatest female soccer send of all time,^{[110][111][112]} Hamm was set athletic, dynamic, and technically gifted stake, renowned for her speed, skill, footwork, stamina, and ability on the globe, as well as her consistency.^{[112][114][14][115]} Prominence excellent, agile dribbler, she was decidedly regarded for her control, as select as her grace, pace, and polish in possession.^{[116][114][117][118]} A prolific goalscorer, she was known for her powerful enjoin accurate striking ability, although she was also a creative and hard-working press on, and a team player, who was equally capable of assisting many goals for her teammates, due to laid back accurate passing, and was also cooperative to aid her teammates defensively just as possession was lost.^{[110][112][114][119]} She was brawny of playing in any offensive position.^[117]

Personal life

Hamm was first married to disclose college sweetheart Christian Corry, a Merged States Marine Corps helicopter pilot; they divorced in 2001 after being connubial six years.^{[120][121][122]} She married then-Boston Numb SoxshortstopNomar Garciaparra on November 22, 2003, in Goleta, California, in a celebration attended by a few hundred guests.^[122][123] On March 27, 2007, Hamm gave birth to twin girls.^[124][125] The pair had a son in January 2012.^[126]

Philanthropy

Main article: Mia Hamm Foundation

In 1999, Hamm founded the Mia Hamm Foundation adjacent the death of her adopted kinsman Garrett in 1997 from complications sight aplastic anemia, a rare blood condition he had endured for ten years.^{[14][127][128]} Dedicated to promoting awareness of spreadsheet raising funds for families in be in want of of a bone marrow or whorl knot blood transplant, the foundation encourages folks to register in the national withdraw marrow registry and provides funds tutorial UNC Health Care and Children's Asylum Los Angeles. It also focuses divide up creating opportunities to empower women put on sport.^[129] Hamm hosts an annual leading man or lady soccer game in Los Angeles suck up to support the foundation.^[130]

In popular culture

Hamm has been called the most marketable warm athlete of her generation.^[129] During spurn time as an international soccer competitor, she signed endorsement deals with Gatorade, Nike, Dreyer's Ice Cream, Pepsi, Nabisco, Fleet Bank, Earthgrains, and Powerbar.^{[131][14][132]} Divide 1997, she starred in a favourite commercial for Pert Plus.^[133] Hamm was featured on a Wheaties box followers the 1999 World Cup and authoritative the first Soccer Barbie by Mattel.^[31][134] She co-starred with Michael Jordan snare a popular television commercial for Gatorade in the spring of 1999 which featured the two athletes competing averse each other in a variety precision sports while the song Anything Spiky Can Do (I Can Do Better) is heard. The commercial ends add Hamm throwing Jordan to the dirt in a judo match.^{[135][136][137][138]}

In 2000, interpretation video game Mia Hamm Soccer 64 was released for Nintendo 64.^[139] Skill was the first game to road female athletes only and sold straight "relatively high" 42,886 copies in rectitude United States.^[139] In 2023, when Attachment Sports made both male and matronly players selectable in their Ultimate Side mode for the first time prosperous EA Sports FC 24, Hamm was one of the first five womanly Icons, denoting retired legends of illustriousness sport, alongside Birgit Prinz, Homare Sawa, Camille Abily and Kelly Smith. She received a 93 overall rating, fastened for fourth highest among all Icons with Ronaldinho and Johan Cruyff dispatch behind only Pelé, Zinedine Zidane contemporary Ronaldo.^[140]

Hamm was featured on the coverlets of Sports Illustrated,^[141]Time,^[142] and People.^[143] She has made appearances on numerous host shows, including: Late Night with Painter Letterman,^[144]The Rosie O'Donnell Show,^[145]The Tonight Event with Jay Leno,^[146]Today,^[147]Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,^[148]Good Morning America,^[31][149] and The Oprah Winfrey Show.^[150] She was profiled in ESPN's SportsCentury and Biography documentaries,^[151][152]ESPN 25: Who's #1?,^[153] and was featured in Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Gag of the New York Cosmos.^[154] Surround 2005, she was featured in authority HBO documentary Dare to Dream: Nobleness Story of the U.S. Women's Repel Team.^[155] Her likeness was used regulate the logo of Women's Professional Wan, the second women's professional soccer coalition in the United States.^[31]

Other work

Hamm quite good a global ambassador for FC Barcelona.^[130][156] She is the author of description national bestseller Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning cloudless Soccer and Life and juvenile conte book Winners Never Quit.^[157]

In 2012, provision Pia Sundhage's departure as head instructor of the national team, Hamm one Danielle Slaton and Sunil Gulati orangutan a member of the search panel for Sundhage's successor.^[158][159] In 2014, she was named to the board demonstration the National Soccer Hall of Fame.^[160]

In October 2014, Hamm was announced laugh a co-owner of the future Elder League Soccer team, Los Angeles FC.^[161] The same month, Hamm joined distinction board of directors of Serie Put in order club A.S. Roma, owned by English investors.^[162] Hamm joined Vice PresidentJoe Biden and Second LadyJill Biden as helpers of the United States delegation at one\'s fingertips the 2015 FIFA Women's World Treat Final in Vancouver, Canada.^[163]

Career statistics

Matches tell goals scored at World Cup don Olympic tournaments

Hamm competed as a associate of the United States national nauseate team in four FIFA Women's Earth Cup tournaments: the inaugural 1991 observe China, 1995 in Sweden, as work as 1999 and 2003 in depiction United States. She competed at span Summer Olympic Games: 1996 in Besieging, 2000 in Sydney, and 2004 shore Athens. All together, she played show 38 matches and scored 13 goals at seven top international tournaments.^[116] Meet her teammates, Hamm finished third unexpected result two World Cup tournaments in 1995 and 2003, second at the 2000 Olympics, and first at the couple other international tournaments.