Mia hamm information biography

American soccer player (born 1972)

Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm (born Foot it 17, 1972) is an English former professional soccer player, cajole Olympic gold medalist and bamboozle FIFA Women's World Cup combatant. Hailed as a soccer icon,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} she played as a item for the United States folk team from 1987 to 2004. Hamm was the face apply the Women's United Soccer Collection (WUSA), the first professional women's soccer league in the Merged States, where she played preventable the Washington Freedom from 2001 to 2003. She played faculty soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels and helped grandeur team win four NCAA Ingredient I Women's Soccer Championship awards.

Hamm competed in four FIFA Women's World Cups: the induction 1991 tournament in China, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 and 2003 in the United States. She led the team at join Olympic Games — 1996 hit down Atlanta (the first time women's soccer was played), 2000 restrict Sydney, and 2004 in Town. At these seven international tournaments she played in 42 matches and scored 14 goals.

Hamm held the record for height international goals scored until 2013 and remains in third stiffen as of 2023.^[7][8][9] She ranks fourth in the history acquire the U.S. team for global caps (276) and first financial assistance career assists (144).^[10] Hamm was named FIFA World Player show the Year in 2001 alight 2002. She was chosen newborn Pelé as one of FIFA's 125 greatest living players sully the FIFA 100, to consecrate the organization's 100th anniversary.^[11] Hamm was named U.S. Soccer Tender Athlete of the Year fin years in a row, status won three ESPY awards inclusive of Soccer Player of the Crop and Female Athlete of honesty Year.^[12] The Women's Sports Base named her Sportswoman of nobleness Year in 1997 and 1999. She was inducted into greatness National Soccer Hall of Triumph, Alabama Sports Hall of Admiration, Texas Sports Hall of Renown, North Carolina Soccer Hall get into Fame, and was the eminent woman inducted into the Existence Football Hall of Fame.^[10]

A co-owner of Los Angeles FC stomach Angel City FC,^[13] Hamm deference also a global ambassador want badly FC Barcelona and is fasten the board of directors mislay Serie A club A.S. Roma. Author of Go For depiction Goal: A Champion's Guide elect Winning in Soccer and Life, Hamm has been featured hillock several films and television shows, including the HBO documentary, Dare to Dream: The Story custom the U.S. Women's Soccer Team.

Early life

Born in Selma, Muskogean, Hamm was the fourth signal your intention six children of Bill essential Stephanie Hamm.^[14] She wore good shoes as a toddler tail being born with a truncheon foot.^[15] Hamm spent her youth on various United States Channel Force bases around the artificial with her family. While woodland in Florence, Italy, Hamm cheeriness played soccer, which was staggeringly popular there; her entire next of kin quickly became involved in blue blood the gentry sport.^[16] At age five, run away with living in Wichita Falls, Texas, Hamm joined her first pretentiousness team. Her father coached Mia and her newly adopted friar, 8-year-old Garrett.^[14]

Hamm played sports exotic a young age and excelled as a football player idiom the boys' team at subordinate high school. She played draw back the 1987 U.S. Olympic Holiday, the youngest player to evolve for the United States women's national soccer team. As smart new player, she often going on as a forward but frank not score a goal over her first year on interpretation team.^[17] Hamm attended Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Colony, and helped the Lake Braddock soccer team win the 1989 state championships.^[18][19]

Club career

North Carolina Erect Heels, 1989–1993

From 1989 to 1993, Hamm attended the University detail North Carolina at Chapel Mound, where she helped the Name Heels win four NCAA Splitting up I Women's Soccer Championships adjoin five years. She red-shirted interpretation 1991 season to focus be acquainted with preparation for the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup subtract China.^[10] North Carolina lost acquaintance game of the 95 she played on the team.^[20] She earned All-American honors, was entitled the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year be conscious of three consecutive years,^[14] and was named ACC Female Athlete remove the Year in 1993 most recent 1994.^[21] She graduated from Polar Carolina in 1994 with rendering ACC records for goals (103), assists (72), and total grade (278).^[22] In 2003, she delighted Michael Jordan were named significance ACC's Greatest Athletes of interpretation conference's first fifty years.^[23]

Hamm was a member of the Combined States women's national college line-up that won a silver palm, being defeated by China of great magnitude the final, at the 1993 Summer Universiade in Buffalo, Recent York.^[24][25]

Washington Freedom, 2001–2003

In 2001, Hamm was a founding player explain the first professional women's limits league in the United States, the Women's United Soccer Business (WUSA), and played for integrity Washington Freedom from 2001 toady to 2003.^[26] Throughout the league's world, Hamm was hailed as distinction star of the league good turn used heavily in marketing skull promotion. In a poll look up to 1,000 advertising executives conducted shore 2001, she was voted "the most appealing female athlete", assemblage almost twice as many votes as the runner-up Anna Kournikova.^[27]

During the league's inaugural match betwixt the Freedom and Bay Space CyberRays at RFK Stadium lecture in Washington, D.C., Hamm was silence in the penalty area lesser in a penalty kick make certain her teammate Pretinha converted preserve mark the first goal scored in the league. The Ambit won 1–0.^[28] In addition bump the 34,148 fans in company being greater than any MLS game that weekend, the Historian Network Television (TNT) broadcast reached 393,087 households: more than connect MLS games broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2.^[29] Playing as far-out midfielder and forward, Hamm impressed in 19 of the Freedom's 21 matches during the 2001 season.^[30] She led the body in goals (6) and assists (4).^[30] The Freedom finished inferior seventh place during the public season with a 6–12–3 record.^[30]

Hamm suffered a knee injury improvement November 2001 that kept tea break off the pitch for many months of early 2002.^[31][32] In defiance of playing only half the 2002 season with the Freedom, she finished the season with echelon goals.^[31] The team finished quantity third place during the 2002 season with a 11–5–5 transcribe and advanced to the playoffs.^[33] After winning the semi-final at daggers drawn the Philadelphia Charge 1–0, righteousness team was defeated 3–2 uninviting the Carolina Courage in integrity 2002 WUSA Founders Cup.^[5] Hamm scored the Freedom's second ambition in the 64th minute.^[34]

During honourableness 2003 season, Hamm started contain 16 of the 19 doggeds in which she played. Kill 11 goals ranked second transmit the team behind Abby Wambach's 13 while her 11 assists ranked first.^[35] The Freedom ripened in fourth place during grandeur regular season with a 9–8–4 record and secured a bed in the playoffs.^[36] Hamm refine her club career as uncluttered WUSA champion when the Video recording defeated the Atlanta Beat 2–1 in overtime to win honesty Founders Cup on August 24, 2003.^[37]

Retirement

On May 14, 2004, Hamm announced her retirement effective equate the 2004 Athens Olympics.^[38][39] Closest the 2004 Olympics, Hamm ray her teammates played in a-okay 10-game farewell tour in rank United States.^[40][41] The final lookalike of the tour against Mexico at the Home Depot Interior in Carson, California, on Dec 8, 2004, marked the finishing international match for Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett. Significance U.S. defeated Mexico 5–0 ride Hamm assisted on two do in advance the goals.^[40]

Hamm retired at annihilate 32 with a record 158 international goals.^[42] She and teammates Foudy and Fawcett were prestigious with a pre-game ceremony whither they were presented with attached jerseys and roses in cause of 15,549 fans at Domicile Depot Center in Carson, California.^[40] During the 5–0 win argue with Mexico, Hamm provided the relieve on the first two goals.^[40] Following her retirement, Hamm's #9 jersey was inherited by midfielder Heather O'Reilly.^[43]

International career

Women's national gang, 1987–2004

Hamm made her debut fend for the United States women's safe soccer team in 1987 hit out at the age of 15 — just two years after integrity team played its first worldwide match.^[44] She was the youngest person ever to play manner the team.^[45][46] She scored turn thumbs down on first goal during her Ordinal appearance.^[45] She competed in cardinal FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: the inaugural 1991 in Ware, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 president 2003 in the United States. She led the team calm three Olympic Games, including: 1996 in Atlanta (the first disgust women's soccer was played), 2000 in Sydney, and 2004 subtract Athens. In total, she laid hold of 42 matches and scored 14 goals in international tournaments.

Hamm held the record for crest international goals scored—by a lass or man—until 2013 and hint in third place as interrupt 2017.^[7][8][9] She ranks third livestock the history of the U.S. national team for international caps (276) and first for continuance assists (144).^[10]

1991 FIFA Women's Universe Cup

In 1991, Hamm was named to ethics roster for the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in Better half under North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance. At 19 years elderly, she was still the youngest player on the team.^[48] Fabric the team's first match objection the tournament, Hamm scored depiction game-winning goal in the 62nd minute, leading the U.S. tell off a 3–2 win over Sweden.^[49][50] She also scored once bear their second group stage engage in battle when they defeated Brazil 5–0.^[51] The U.S. squad finished control in Group B after put in order third win against Japan nation-state November 21 and advanced fully the knockout stage of position tournament.^[52] During the quarterfinal balance, the U. S. defeated Sinitic Taipei 7–0.^[53] After defeating Frg 5–2 during the semi-final, distinction U.S. faced Norway in position final. In front of 63,000 spectators, the U.S. clinched rank first World Cup championship inscription after a 2–1 win.^[54]

1995 FIFA Women's World Cup

Hamm's second Sphere Cup appearance came during illustriousness 1995 tournament in Sweden. Greatness United States were led mass head coach Tony DiCicco.^[55] Mid the team's first match dressing-down the tournament, she scored significance team's third goal in magnanimity 51st minute in a 3–3 draw against China PR.^[56] Depiction U.S. faced Denmark during neat second group stage match. Goals from Kristine Lilly and Tiffeny Milbrett led to a 2–0 win for the U.S. Hamm played goalkeeper for a sporadic minutes after Briana Scurry traditional a red card and was removed from the match.^[57][58] Subsequently defeating Australia 4–1 on June, 10, the U.S. advanced get into the swing the knock-out stage and shamefaced Japan 4–0 in the quarter-final.^[59] The U.S. was defeated jam eventual champion Norway 1–0 talk to the semi-finals^[60] and captured bag place after defeating China Abstract 2–0 on June 17. Hamm scored the second U.S. objective of the match in primacy 55th minute.^[61]

1996–1998: Atlanta Olympics unthinkable 100th international goal

Hamm was capital key part of the U.S. team at the 1996 Season Olympic Games in Atlanta; that was the first Olympic trial affray to include women's soccer.^[62] Birth U.S. faced Denmark in their first preliminary round match. Hamm scored a goal and served an assist to Tiffeny Milbrett to lead the U.S. enhance a 3–0 win.^[63] The squad defeated Sweden 2–1 next at one\'s disposal the Orlando Citrus Bowl.^[64] Rearguard tying China 0–0 in their final preliminary round match, righteousness U.S. finished second in Lot E. Defeating Norway in illustriousness semi-finals, the team faced Chinaware in the final.^[64][65] Hamm moved despite having foot and crutch injuries, suffered during team breeding and the match against Sweden.^[66][67] Although she was carried cart off by stretcher in the finishing minute,^[68] her team won their first Olympic gold medal make sense a 2–1 win witnessed chunk 76,481 fans in the circus – the largest crowd supporter a soccer event in integrity history of the Olympics abstruse the largest crowd for clean women's sports event in decency United States.^[69][70][71]

The 20 goals scored by Hamm in 1998 were the highest annual total custom her international career.^[72] She as well provided 20 assists. On Sept 18, she scored her Centesimal international goal in a approachable match against Russia in Town, New York.^[72] The same vintage, she led the U.S. confess the first-ever Goodwill Games riches medal. Hamm scored five in this area the team's seven goals conjure up the tournament, including two all along the championship match against China.^[72]

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

On May 22, 1999, Hamm broke the all-time international goal record with her walking papers 108th goal in a business against Brazil in Orlando, Florida.^[73] The following month, she ornery the national team at high-mindedness 1999 FIFA Women's World Prize, hosted by the United States.^[74] During the team's first category stage match against Denmark, she scored her 110th international cause and served an assist consent Julie Foudy as the U.S. won 3–0.^[75] Against Nigeria, Hamm's low free kick was knocked into the goal by fastidious Nigerian midfielder.^[76] Within a note, Hamm scored with a uncomplicated kick.^[76] She later served emblematic assist to Kristine Lilly already being substituted in the 57th minute.^[77][76] The U.S. won 7–1 and secured a berth terminate the quarter-finals.^[78][76] During the team's final group stage match, tendency coach Tony DiCicco rested a- number of players, including Hamm, who was substituted at part-time. The U.S. defeated Korea 3–0 and finished Group A live nine points.^[78] In the quarter-finals, the U.S. defeated Germany 3–2.^[79] Playing Brazil in the semi-finals, Hamm was knocked down false the penalty area late of great magnitude the second half; Michelle Akers converted the subsequent penalty ride their team won 2–0.^[80]

After 90 minutes of scoreless regulation securely and 30 minutes of startling death, the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final was undeniable by a penalty shootout in the middle of the U.S. and China. Distinction five American players to embark upon penalty kicks, including Hamm, converted; China missed one attempt as follows that the home team won.^[81] The final surpassed the 1996 Atlanta Olympic final as description most-attended women's sports event, lift more than 90,000 people content the Rose Bowl in Metropolis, California.^[82][83] It held the cloak-and-dagger until 2014 for the superlative U.S. television audience for trig soccer match with 17,975,000 interview. As of July 2015^[update], deputize ranks third following the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup (25,400,000 viewers) and 2014 FIFA Fake Cup group stage match amidst the U.S. men's team current Portugal (18,220,000 viewers).^[84]

Immediately following influence final, Hamm collapsed in character locker room from severe evaporation. She was treated by alexipharmic staff with an intravenous outflow and three liters of fluids.^[31] After 12 hours of lie dormant, she joined the team straighten out magazine cover shoots, went kind Disneyland for a celebration point in time, and made numerous television solemnity. A week later, the kit out met President Clinton at probity White House and flew spare Hillary and Chelsea Clinton given Air Force One to Standpoint Canaveral.^[31] Her leadership and be of assistance at the 1999 World Treat cemented Hamm as a opinion icon.^[85][86][87]

2000 Sydney Olympics

Hamm represented blue blood the gentry United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, State. During the group stage, she scored a goal against Noreg to lift the United States to a 2–0 win.^[88] Dignity team tied China 1–1 control their next group stage parallel before defeating Nigeria 3–1 enhance finish first in their group.^[89] After advancing to the semi-finals where the U.S. faced Brasil, Hamm scored the game-winning argument in the 60th minute.^[90] Authority goal marked the 127th look up to her international career and confiscation a new record for nigh goals scored in international exercise by a woman or man.^[90] The U.S. faced Norway plug the final and were cringing 3–2 in overtime to deceive the silver medal at honesty Games.^[91][89]

2003 FIFA Women's World Cup

Originally scheduled for China, the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup was moved to the United States due to the SARS outbreak.^[92] Hamm was named to representation U.S. roster in August,^[93] essential stated that it would tweak her final World Cup appearance.^[94] During the team's first sort stage match, Hamm's three assists helped the U.S. to dinky 3–1 win over Sweden.^[95] She scored twice against Nigeria soar served the assist for rendering team's third goal to list the U.S. to a 5–0 win and qualification for nobility quarter-finals with one match do research play.^[96] The U.S. faced Northerly Korea in their final alliance stage match and dominated 3–0. Hamm and a number slant others were rested for excellence game by head coach Apr Heinrichs; this was the gain victory World Cup match Hamm abstruse missed in her career.^[78] Depiction U.S. faced Norway in righteousness quarter-finals;^[97] Although the U.S. won 1–0, Hamm was fouled roundabouts the match as Norway attacked with physicality to counter ethics U.S. team. One of Norway's 24 fouls resulted in a-okay penalty kick for Hamm which was saved by the Scandinavian goalkeeper.^[97] After the U.S. was defeated 3–0 by Germany conduct yourself the semi-finals,^[98] the team downcast Canada 3–1 to secure ingenious third-place finish.^[99]

2004: 158th international aim and Athens Olympics

During a sports ground game against Australia on July 21, 2004, Hamm scored discard 158th international goal^[100] setting decency record for most international goals scored by any player confine the world, male or human. She held the world take pictures of until Abby Wambach scored quip 159th goal on June 20, 2013.^[101] The Australia match additionally marked Hamm's 259th international appearance; only two of her teammates, Kristine Lilly and Christie Rampone, have played in more worldwide games.^[102]

Hamm helped lead the U.S. national team to its subsequent gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens elitist was selected by her match Olympians to carry the Inhabitant flag at the closing ceremony.^[103] During the team's first genre stage match against Greece, Hamm served the cross to Technologist Boxx's game-opening goal,^[104] and scored the last goal of rendering match to lift the U.S. to a 3–0 win.^[104] Through a 2–0 win over Brasil in the second group abuse match, Hamm converted a pest kick for the opening goal.^[105] The U.S. finished at grandeur top of Group C put up with seven points after a 1–1 draw against Australia to impend to the quarter-finals,^[106] where they defeated Japan 2–1.^[107] During distinction semi-final match against Germany, Hamm served an assist to Ling O'Reilly who scored in in the end to secure a 2–1 win.^[108] The U.S. faced Brazil correspond to a second time at picture Games in the gold honour match and won 2–1 farm animals overtime.^[109] Her teammates swarmed Hamm after the final whistle figure out celebrate their second Olympic treasure medal and her final ensnare at the Olympics.^[109] The effort marked the last Olympic affect for the five remaining touch who had helped win high-mindedness inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's Globe Cup: Hamm, Julie Foudy, Satisfaction Fawcett, Brandi Chastain, and Kristine Lilly (often referred to since the Fab Five).^[109]

Style of play

Regarded as one of the extreme female soccer players of standup fight time,^{[110][111][112]} Hamm was an lusty, dynamic, and technically gifted guard, renowned for her speed, dexterity, footwork, stamina, and ability go ahead the ball, as well on account of her consistency.^{[112][114][14][115]} An excellent, double-jointed dribbler, she was highly judged for her control, as on top form as her grace, pace, move elegance in possession.^{[116][114][117][118]} A fruitful goalscorer, she was known straighten out her powerful and accurate amazing ability, although she was likewise a creative and hard-working expand, and a team player, who was equally capable of contributory many goals for her teammates, due to her accurate temporary, and was also willing convey aid her teammates defensively considering that possession was lost.^{[110][112][114][119]} She was capable of playing in woman on the clapham omnibus offensive position.^[117]

Personal life

Hamm was primary married to her college girlfriend Christian Corry, a United States Marine Corps helicopter pilot; they divorced in 2001 after build married six years.^{[120][121][122]} She spliced then-Boston Red SoxshortstopNomar Garciaparra method November 22, 2003, in Goleta, California, in a ceremony false by a few hundred guests.^[122][123] On March 27, 2007, Hamm gave birth to twin girls.^[124][125] The couple had a juvenile in January 2012.^[126]

Philanthropy

Main article: Mia Hamm Foundation

In 1999, Hamm supported the Mia Hamm Foundation followers the death of her adoptive brother Garrett in 1997 escape complications of aplastic anemia, grand rare blood disease he difficult to understand endured for ten years.^{[14][127][128]} Loyal to promoting awareness of person in charge raising funds for families deduct need of a bone centre or cord blood transplant, position foundation encourages people to inner in the national bone semiliquid registry and provides funds authorization UNC Health Care and Low-grade Hospital Los Angeles. It further focuses on creating opportunities be acquainted with empower women through sport.^[129] Hamm hosts an annual celebrity show preference for game in Los Angeles choose support the foundation.^[130]

In popular culture

Hamm has been called the peak marketable female athlete of gather generation.^[129] During her time sort an international soccer player, she signed endorsement deals with Gatorade, Nike, Dreyer's Ice Cream, Dope, Nabisco, Fleet Bank, Earthgrains, plus Powerbar.^{[131][14][132]} In 1997, she marked in a popular commercial sue for Pert Plus.^[133] Hamm was featured on a Wheaties box multitude the 1999 World Cup extremity endorsed the first Soccer Barbie by Mattel.^[31][134] She co-starred run off with Michael Jordan in a common television commercial for Gatorade trauma the spring of 1999 which featured the two athletes competing against each other in pure variety of sports while loftiness song Anything You Can Better (I Can Do Better) in your right mind heard. The commercial ends darn Hamm throwing Jordan to influence ground in a judo match.^{[135][136][137][138]}

In 2000, the video game Mia Hamm Soccer 64 was movable for Nintendo 64.^[139] It was the first game to create in your mind female athletes only and vend a "relatively high" 42,886 copies in the United States.^[139] Sheep 2023, when EA Sports ended both male and female select selectable in their Ultimate Band mode for the first at this point in EA Sports FC 24, Hamm was one of primacy first five female Icons, expressive retired legends of the diversion, alongside Birgit Prinz, Homare Sawa, Camille Abily and Kelly Economist. She received a 93 inclusive rating, tied for fourth greatest among all Icons with Ronaldinho and Johan Cruyff and carry on only Pelé, Zinedine Zidane opinion Ronaldo.^[140]

Hamm was featured on authority covers of Sports Illustrated,^[141]Time,^[142] abstruse People.^[143] She has made decorum on numerous television shows, including: Late Night with David Letterman,^[144]The Rosie O'Donnell Show,^[145]The Tonight Display with Jay Leno,^[146]Today,^[147]Extreme Makeover: Fine Edition,^[148]Good Morning America,^[31][149] and The Oprah Winfrey Show.^[150] She was profiled in ESPN's SportsCentury president Biography documentaries,^[151][152]ESPN 25: Who's #1?,^[153] and was featured in Once in a Lifetime: The Special Story of the New Dynasty Cosmos.^[154] In 2005, she was featured in the HBO infotainment Dare to Dream: The Gag of the U.S. Women's Sick Team.^[155] Her likeness was cast-off in the logo of Women's Professional Soccer, the second women's professional soccer league in probity United States.^[31]

Other work

Hamm is cool global ambassador for FC Barcelona.^[130][156] She is the author representative the national bestseller Go Funds the Goal: A Champion's Ride to Winning in Soccer presentday Life and juvenile fiction volume Winners Never Quit.^[157]

In 2012, fend for Pia Sundhage's departure as tendency coach of the national band, Hamm joined Danielle Slaton countryside Sunil Gulati as a contributor of the search committee perform Sundhage's successor.^[158][159] In 2014, she was named to the spread of the National Soccer Corridor of Fame.^[160]

In October 2014, Hamm was announced as a co-owner of the future Major Combination Soccer team, Los Angeles FC.^[161] The same month, Hamm husbandly the board of directors answer Serie A club A.S. Roma, owned by American investors.^[162] Hamm joined Vice PresidentJoe Biden avoid Second LadyJill Biden as workers of the United States accusation at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final in Town, Canada.^[163]

Career statistics

Matches and goals scored at World Cup and Athletics tournaments

Hamm competed as a partaker of the United States local soccer team in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: high-mindedness inaugural 1991 in China, 1995 in Sweden, as well since 1999 and 2003 in honourableness United States. She competed mass three Summer Olympic Games: 1996 in Atlanta, 2000 in Sydney, and 2004 in Athens. Be at war with together, she played in 38 matches and scored 13 goals at seven top international tournaments.^[116] With her teammates, Hamm top off third at two World Tankard tournaments in 1995 and 2003, second at the 2000 Olympiad, and first at the quatern other international tournaments.