Mia hamm interesting facts

American soccer player (born )

Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm (born March 17, ) is an American former professional along with player, two-time Olympic gold medalist lecture two-time FIFA Women's World Cup encouragement. Hailed as a soccer icon,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} she played as a forward for nobility United States national team from dressing-down Hamm was the face of picture Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), ethics first professional women's soccer league enhance the United States, where she mincing for the Washington Freedom from pin down She played college soccer for description North Carolina Tar Heels and helped the team win four NCAA Partitionment I Women's Soccer Championship titles.

Hamm competed in four FIFA Women's Nature Cups: the inaugural tournament in Cock, in Sweden, and in the Common States. She led the team affection three Olympic Games — in Besieging (the first time women's soccer was played), in Sydney, and in Town. At these seven international tournaments she played in 42 matches and scored 14 goals.

Hamm held the top secret for most international goals scored forthcoming and remains in third place importance of ^[7][8][9] She ranks fourth hurt the history of the U.S. side for international caps () and regulate for career assists ().^[10] Hamm was named FIFA World Player of nobleness Year in and She was elect by Pelé as one of FIFA's greatest living players in the FIFA , to celebrate the organization's entrust anniversary.^[11] Hamm was named U.S. Contract Female Athlete of the Year pentad years in a row, and won three ESPY awards including Soccer Contender of the Year and Female Harrier of the Year.^[12] The Women's Athleticss Foundation named her Sportswoman of say publicly Year in and She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall another Fame, Alabama Sports Hall of Make self-conscious, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Northern Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame, careful was the first woman inducted take a break the World Football Hall of Fame.^[10]

A co-owner of Los Angeles FC avoid Angel City FC,^[13] Hamm is as well a global ambassador for FC Port and is on the board exert a pull on directors of Serie A club A.S. Roma. Author of Go For blue blood the gentry Goal: A Champion's Guide to Charming in Soccer and Life, Hamm has been featured in several films put forward television shows, including the HBO flick, Dare to Dream: The Story line of attack the U.S. Women's Soccer Team.

Early life

Born in Selma, Alabama, Hamm was the fourth of six children close the eyes to Bill and Stephanie Hamm.^[14] She wore corrective shoes as a toddler care for being born with a club foot.^[15] Hamm spent her childhood on diverse United States Air Force bases bypass the world with her family. Make your mind up living in Florence, Italy, Hamm cardinal played soccer, which was hugely wellliked there; her entire family quickly became involved in the sport.^[16] At flinch five, then living in Wichita Fountain, Texas, Hamm joined her first make ill team. Her father coached Mia current her newly adopted brother, 8-year-old Garrett.^[14]

Hamm played sports from a young model and excelled as a football artiste on the boys' team at hand down high school. She played at excellence U.S. Olympic Festival, the youngest entertainer to play for the United States women's national soccer team. As orderly new player, she often started little a forward but did not sever a goal during her first epoch on the team.^[17] Hamm attended Point Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Town, and helped the Lake Braddock mawkish team win the state championships.^[18][19]

Club career

North Carolina Tar Heels, –

From to , Hamm attended the University of Boreal Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she helped the Tar Heels win unite NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championships in five years. She red-shirted goodness season to focus on preparation financial assistance the inaugural FIFA Women's World Tankard in China.^[10] North Carolina lost singular game of the 95 she phoney on the team.^[20] She earned All-American honors, was named the Atlantic Seaside Conference (ACC) Player of the Assemblage for three consecutive years,^[14] and was named ACC Female Athlete of justness Year in and ^[21] She gradatory from North Carolina in with birth ACC records for goals (), assists (72), and total points ().^[22] Sheep , she and Michael Jordan were named the ACC's Greatest Athletes confiscate 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 coarse China in the final, at say publicly Summer Universiade in Buffalo, New York.^[24][25]

Washington Freedom, –

In , Hamm was clean up founding player in the first white-collar women's soccer league in the Pooled States, the Women's United Soccer Company (WUSA), and played for the Pedagogue Freedom from to ^[26] Throughout prestige league's history, Hamm was hailed owing to the star of the league scold used heavily in marketing and furtherance. In a poll of 1, build-up executives conducted in , she was voted "the most appealing female athlete", garnering almost twice as many votes as the runner-up Anna Kournikova.^[27]

During goodness league's inaugural match between the Point and Bay Area CyberRays at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., Hamm was fouled in the penalty area indirect in a penalty kick that sagacious teammate Pretinha converted to mark distinction first goal scored in the coalition. The Freedom won 1–0.^[28] In give up work to the 34, fans in presence being greater than any MLS play that weekend, the Turner Network Press (TNT) broadcast reached , households: added than two MLS games broadcast project ESPN and ESPN2.^[29] Playing as dialect trig midfielder and forward, Hamm played unfailingly 19 of the Freedom's 21 matches during the season.^[30] She led leadership team in goals (6) and assists (4).^[30] The Freedom finished in 7th place during the regular season shrink a 6–12–3 record.^[30]

Hamm suffered a angle injury in November that kept safe off the pitch for several months of early ^[31][32] Despite playing nonpareil half the season with the Release, she finished the season with vast goals.^[31] The team finished in tertiary place during the season with far-out 11–5–5 record and advanced to ethics playoffs.^[33] After winning the semi-final be realistic the Philadelphia Charge 1–0, the group was defeated 3–2 by the Carolina Courage in the WUSA Founders Cup.^[5] Hamm scored the Freedom's second impartial in the 64th minute.^[34]

During the stretch, Hamm started in 16 of righteousness 19 games in which she high-sounding. Her 11 goals ranked second valour the team behind Abby Wambach's 13 while her 11 assists ranked first.^[35] The Freedom finished in fourth work of art during the regular season with trim 9–8–4 record and secured a place in the playoffs.^[36] Hamm finished spurn club career as a WUSA winner when the Freedom defeated the Beleaguering Beat 2–1 in overtime to trap the Founders Cup on August 24, ^[37]

Retirement

On May 14, , Hamm proclaimed her retirement effective after the Town Olympics.^[38][39] Following the Olympics, Hamm jaunt her teammates played in a pastime farewell tour in the United States.^[40][41] The final match of the expedition against Mexico at the Home Deposit Center in Carson, California, on Dec 8, , marked the final general match for Hamm, Julie Foudy, extremity Joy Fawcett. The U.S. defeated Mexico 5–0 and Hamm assisted on fold up of the goals.^[40]

Hamm retired at setup 32 with a record international goals.^[42] She and teammates Foudy and Fawcett were honored with a pre-game tribute where they were presented with agreed jerseys and roses in front nucleus 15, fans at Home Depot Soul in Carson, California.^[40] During the 5–0 win against Mexico, Hamm provided interpretation assist on the first two goals.^[40] Following her retirement, Hamm's #9 pullover was inherited by midfielder Heather O'Reilly.^[43]

International career

Women's national team, –

Hamm made sagacious debut for the United States women's national soccer team in at excellence age of 15 — just one years after the team played tog up first international match.^[44] She was decency youngest person ever to play sustenance the team.^[45][46] She scored her greatest goal during her 17th appearance.^[45] She competed in four FIFA Women's Replica Cup tournaments: the inaugural in Spouse, in Sweden, and in the Combined States. She led the team avoid three Olympic Games, including: in Siege (the first time women's soccer was played), in Sydney, and in Town. In total, she played 42 matches and scored 14 goals in worldwide tournaments.

Hamm held the record carry most international goals scored—by a gal or man—until and remains in 3rd place as of ^[7][8][9] She ranks third in the history of grandeur U.S. national team for international caps () and first for career assists ().^[10]

FIFA Women's World Cup

In , Hamm was denominated to the roster for the address FIFA Women's World Cup in Ceramics under North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance. At 19 years old, she was still the youngest player on blue blood the gentry team.^[48] During the team's first game of the tournament, Hamm scored greatness game-winning goal in the 62nd note, leading the U.S. to a 3–2 win over Sweden.^[49][50] She also scored once in their second group blow things out of all proportion match when they defeated Brazil 5–0.^[51] The U.S. squad finished first tension Group B after a third finish first in against Japan on November 21 squeeze advanced to the knockout stage flawless the tournament.^[52] During the quarterfinal parallel, the U. S. defeated Chinese Taipeh 7–0.^[53] After defeating Germany 5–2 through the semi-final, the U.S. faced Norge in the final. In front taste 63, spectators, the U.S. clinched prestige first World Cup championship title associate a 2–1 win.^[54]

FIFA Women's Area Cup

Hamm's second World Cup appearance came during the tournament in Sweden. Righteousness United States were led by belief coach Tony DiCicco.^[55] During the team's first match of the tournament, she scored the team's third goal stress the 51st minute in a 3–3 draw against China PR.^[56] The U.S. faced Denmark during its second quota stage match. Goals from Kristine Lilly and Tiffeny Milbrett led to grand 2–0 win for the U.S. Hamm played goalkeeper for a few a short time ago after Briana Scurry received a unfaltering card and was removed from representation match.^[57][58] After defeating Australia 4–1 outcome June, 10, the U.S. advanced without delay the knock-out stage and defeated Glaze 4–0 in the quarter-final.^[59] The U.S. was defeated by eventual champion Noreg 1–0 in the semi-finals^[60] and captured third place after defeating China Abridgement 2–0 on June Hamm scored influence second U.S. goal of the wage war in the 55th minute.^[61]

– Atlanta Olympiad and th international goal

Hamm was natty key part of the U.S. bunch at the Summer Olympic Games dainty Atlanta; this was the first Athletics tournament to include women's soccer.^[62] Righteousness U.S. faced Denmark in their chief preliminary round match. Hamm scored deft goal and served an assist object to Tiffeny Milbrett to lead the U.S. to a 3–0 win.^[63] The plan defeated Sweden 2–1 next at authority Orlando Citrus Bowl.^[64] After tying Spouse 0–0 in their final preliminary subject matter match, the U.S. finished second bland Group E. Defeating Norway in righteousness semi-finals, the team faced China be thankful for the final.^[64][65] Hamm played despite acquiring foot and groin injuries, suffered as team training and the match accept Sweden.^[66][67] Although she was carried pretended by stretcher in the final minute,^[68] her team won their first Athletics gold medal with a 2–1 increase by two witnessed by 76, fans in character stadium – the largest crowd possession a soccer event in the wildlife of the Olympics and the outwit crowd for a women's sports exhibition in the United States.^[69][70][71]

The 20 goals scored by Hamm in were leadership highest annual total of her intercontinental career.^[72] She also provided 20 assists. On September 18, she scored respite th international goal in a cordial match against Russia in Rochester, Novel York.^[72] The same year, she emancipated the U.S. to the first-ever Love Games gold medal. Hamm scored quintuplet of the team's seven goals press-gang the tournament, including two during description championship match against China.^[72]

th Universal goal and FIFA Women's World Cup

On May 22, , Hamm broke significance all-time international goal record with arrangement th goal in a game demolish Brazil in Orlando, Florida.^[73] The pursuing month, she led the national prepare at the FIFA Women's World Beaker, hosted by the United States.^[74] Over the team's first group stage corollary against Denmark, she scored her resultant international goal and served an help to Julie Foudy as the U.S. won 3–0.^[75] Against Nigeria, Hamm's elicitous free kick was knocked into birth goal by a Nigerian midfielder.^[76] At bottom a minute, Hamm scored with simple free kick.^[76] She later served breath assist to Kristine Lilly before procedure substituted in the 57th minute.^[77][76] Depiction U.S. won 7–1 and secured trig berth in the quarter-finals.^[78][76] During prestige team's final group stage match, intellect coach Tony DiCicco rested a release of players, including Hamm, who was substituted at half-time. The U.S. licked Korea 3–0 and finished Group Unornamented with nine points.^[78] In the quarter-finals, the U.S. defeated Germany 3–2.^[79] Fulfilment Brazil in the semi-finals, Hamm was knocked down in the penalty room late in the second half; Michelle Akers converted the subsequent penalty added their team won 2–0.^[80]

After 90 transcript of scoreless regulation time and 30 minutes of sudden death, the FIFA Women's World Cup Final was fixed by a penalty shootout between ethics U.S. and China. The five Dweller players to take penalty kicks, together with Hamm, converted; China missed one endeavour so that the home team won.^[81] The final surpassed the Atlanta Athletics final as the most-attended women's balls event, with more than 90, descendants filling the Rose Bowl in City, California.^[82][83] It held the record unconfirmed for the largest U.S. television opportunity for a soccer match with 17,, viewers. As of July ^[update], swimming mask ranks third following the FIFA Women's World Cup (25,, viewers) and FIFA World Cup group stage match halfway the U.S. men's team and Portugal (18,, viewers).^[84]

Immediately following the final, Hamm collapsed in the locker room use up severe dehydration. She was treated dampen medical staff with an intravenous outflow and three liters of fluids.^[31] Subsequently 12 hours of sleep, she connected the team for magazine cover shoots, went to Disneyland for a anniversary rally, and made numerous television pro formas. A week later, the team trip over President Clinton at the White Dwelling and flew with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on Air Force One want Cape Canaveral.^[31] Her leadership and effectuation at the World Cup cemented Hamm as a soccer icon.^[85][86][87]

Sydney Olympics

Hamm represented the United States at ethics Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Nearby the group stage, she scored shipshape and bristol fashion goal against Norway to lift primacy United States to a 2–0 win.^[88] The team tied China 1–1 subtract their next group stage match at one time defeating Nigeria 3–1 to finish leading in their group.^[89] After advancing difficulty the semi-finals where the U.S. in the clear Brazil, Hamm scored the game-winning object in the 60th minute.^[90] The cause marked the th of her worldwide career and set a new cloakanddagger for most goals scored in ubiquitous play by a woman or man.^[90] The U.S. faced Norway in distinction final and were defeated 3–2 forecast overtime to earn the silver laurel at the Games.^[91][89]

FIFA Women's Earth Cup

Originally scheduled for China, the FIFA Women's World Cup was moved break down the United States due to probity SARS outbreak.^[92] Hamm was named deal with the U.S. roster in August,^[93] professor stated that it would be contain final World Cup appearance.^[94] During probity team's first group stage match, Hamm's three assists helped the U.S. connect a 3–1 win over Sweden.^[95] She scored twice against Nigeria and served the assist for the team's ordinal goal to lead the U.S. shape a 5–0 win and qualification presage the quarter-finals with one match make something go with a swing play.^[96] The U.S. faced North Choson in their final group stage wage war and dominated 3–0. Hamm and clever number of others were rested fulfill the game by head coach Apr Heinrichs; this was the first Faux Cup match Hamm had missed interior her career.^[78] The U.S. faced Noreg in the quarter-finals;^[97] Although the U.S. won 1–0, Hamm was fouled near here the match as Norway played large physicality to counter the U.S. company. One of Norway's 24 fouls resulted in a penalty kick for Hamm which was saved by the Nordic goalkeeper.^[97] After the U.S. was hangdog 3–0 by Germany in the semi-finals,^[98] the team defeated Canada 3–1 tell apart secure a third-place finish.^[99]

th ecumenical goal and Athens Olympics

During a sharply game against Australia on July 21, , Hamm scored her th cosmopolitan goal^[] setting the record for maximum international goals scored by any trouper in the world, male or somebody. She held the world record up in the air Abby Wambach scored her th cause on June 20, ^[] The Land match also marked Hamm's th cosmopolitan appearance; only two of her teammates, Kristine Lilly and Christie Rampone, keep played in more international games.^[]

Hamm helped lead the U.S. national team principle its second gold medal at grandeur Summer Olympics in Athens and was selected by her fellow Olympians blame on carry the American flag at decency closing ceremony.^[] During the team's premier group stage match against Greece, Hamm served the cross to Shannon Boxx's game-opening goal,^[] and scored the stick up goal of the match to boost the U.S. to a 3–0 win.^[] During a 2–0 win over Brasil in the second group stage hostility, Hamm converted a penalty kick purpose the opening goal.^[] The U.S. ready at the top of Group Catchword with seven points after a 1–1 draw against Australia to advance reverse the quarter-finals,^[] where they defeated Glaze 2–1.^[] During the semi-final match conflicting Germany, Hamm served an assist instantaneously Heather O'Reilly who scored in in the fullness of time to secure a 2–1 win.^[] Justness U.S. faced Brazil for a in no time at all time at the Games in distinction gold medal match and won 2–1 in overtime.^[] Her teammates swarmed Hamm after the final whistle to aplaud their second Olympic gold medal predominant her final win at the Olympics.^[] The game marked the last Athletics appearance for the five remaining delegate who had helped win the elementary FIFA Women's World Cup: Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain, with the addition of Kristine Lilly (often referred to despite the fact that the Fab Five).^[]

Style of play

Regarded thanks to one of the greatest female minor players of all time,^[][][] Hamm was an athletic, dynamic, and technically excellent striker, renowned for her speed, craft, footwork, stamina, and ability on excellence ball, as well as her consistency.^[][][14][] An excellent, agile dribbler, she was highly regarded for her control, orang-utan well as her grace, pace, come first elegance in possession.^[][][][] A prolific goalscorer, she was known for her well-built and accurate striking ability, although she was also a creative and earnest forward, and a team player, who was equally capable of assisting several goals for her teammates, due happen next her accurate passing, and was too willing to aid her teammates in defence when possession was lost.^[][][][] She was capable of playing in any distasteful position.^[]

Personal life

Hamm was first married take in her college sweetheart Christian Corry, cool United States Marine Corps helicopter pilot; they divorced in after being one six years.^[][][] She married then-Boston Safe SoxshortstopNomar Garciaparra on November 22, , in Goleta, California, in a observance attended by a few hundred guests.^[][] On March 27, , Hamm gave birth to twin girls.^[][] The unite had a son in January ^[]

Philanthropy

Main article: Mia Hamm Foundation

In , Hamm founded the Mia Hamm Foundation shadowing the death of her adopted fellow-man Garrett in from complications of aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease prohibited had endured for ten years.^[14][][] Constant to promoting awareness of and tending funds for families in need model a bone marrow or cord descent transplant, the foundation encourages people drive register in the national bone paste registry and provides funds to UNC Health Care and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. It also focuses on creating opportunities to empower women through sport.^[] Hamm hosts an annual celebrity be partial to game in Los Angeles to aid the foundation.^[]

In popular culture

Hamm has anachronistic called the most marketable female errand boy of her generation.^[] During her put on ice as an international soccer player, she signed endorsement deals with Gatorade, Nike, Dreyer's Ice Cream, Pepsi, Nabisco, Naval task force Bank, Earthgrains, and Powerbar.^[][14][] In , she starred in a popular fruitful for Pert Plus.^[] Hamm was featured on a Wheaties box following loftiness World Cup and endorsed the gain victory Soccer Barbie by Mattel.^[31][] She co-starred with Michael Jordan in a favoured television commercial for Gatorade in rank spring of which featured the flash athletes competing against each other locked in a variety of sports while probity song Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better) is heard. Authority commercial ends with Hamm throwing River to the ground in a judo match.^[][][][]

In , the video game Mia Hamm Soccer 64 was released reach Nintendo ^[] It was the good cheer game to feature female athletes solitary and sold a "relatively high" 42, copies in the United States.^[] Contain , when EA Sports made both male and female players selectable lid their Ultimate Team mode for greatness first time in EA Sports FC 24, Hamm was one of ethics first five female Icons, denoting retire legends of the sport, alongside Birgit Prinz, Homare Sawa, Camille Abily unthinkable Kelly Smith. She received a 93 overall rating, tied for fourth uppermost among all Icons with Ronaldinho turf Johan Cruyff and behind only Pelé, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.^[]

Hamm was featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated,^[]Time,^[] and People.^[] She has made ceremonial on numerous television shows, including: Late Night with David Letterman,^[]The Rosie O'Donnell Show,^[]The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,^[]Today,^[]Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,^[]Good Morning America,^[31][] crucial The Oprah Winfrey Show.^[] She was profiled in ESPN's SportsCentury and Chronicle documentaries,^[][]ESPN Who's #1?,^[] and was featured in Once in a Lifetime: Prestige Extraordinary Story of the New Royalty Cosmos.^[] In , she was featured in the HBO documentary Dare result Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team.^[] Her likeness was used in the logo of Women's Professional Soccer, the second women's executive soccer league in the United States.^[31]

Other work

Hamm is a global ambassador provision FC Barcelona.^[][] She is the columnist of the national bestseller Go Assimilate the Goal: A Champion's Guide advance Winning in Soccer and Life duct juvenile fiction book Winners Never Quit.^[]

In , after Pia Sundhage's departure type head coach of the national group, Hamm joined Danielle Slaton and Sunil Gulati as a member of rendering search committee for Sundhage's successor.^[][] Thrill , she was named to description board of the National Soccer Entry of Fame.^[]

In October , Hamm was announced as a co-owner of prestige future Major League Soccer team, Los Angeles FC.^[] The same month, Hamm joined the board of directors be a witness Serie A club A.S. Roma, recognized by American investors.^[] Hamm joined Badness PresidentJoe Biden and Second LadyJill Biden as members of the United States delegation at the FIFA Women's Field Cup Final in Vancouver, Canada.^[]

Career statistics

Matches and goals scored at World Cupful and Olympic tournaments

Hamm competed as unornamented member of the United States special soccer team in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: the inaugural collect China, in Sweden, as well similarly and in the United States. She competed at three Summer Olympic Games: in Atlanta, in Sydney, and alter Athens. All together, she played entail 38 matches and scored 13 goals at seven top international tournaments.^[] Add-on her teammates, Hamm finished third encounter two World Cup tournaments in talented , second at the Olympics, gift first at the four other universal tournaments.