Mia Hamm

At 52 years old, Mia Hamm has this physical status:

Mariel Margaret Hamm-Garciaparra (born March 17, 1972) is an American retired professional soccer player, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion.

She was named a soccer icon for the United States women's national soccer team from 1987–2004.

Hamm was the face of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first national women's soccer league in the United States, where she competed for the Washington Freedom from 2001-2003.

She competed for college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer team and helped the team win four straight NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship titles. Hamm represented in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, the inaugural 1991 in China, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 and 2003 in the United States, during her tenure with the national team.

She coached the team at three Olympic Games, including: 1996 in Atlanta (the first time women's soccer was played), 2000 in Sydney (the first time women's soccer was played), and 2004 in Athens.

She finished her international career by playing in 42 games and scoring 14 goals at these 7 international tournaments. Hamm held the most international goals scored—by a woman or man—until 2013 and now sits third, behind former teammate Abby Wambach and Canadian striker Christine Sinclair as of 2017.

She currently ranks third in the United States national team for international caps (276) and first for career assists (144).

When Hamm and her colleague Michelle Akers were named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002, he was lauded by Pelé as two of FIFA's top living stars in the FIFA 100 to commemorate the club's 100th anniversary.

Hamm received three ESPY awards, including Soccer Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year, in a row.

In 1997 and 1999, the Women's Sports Foundation selected her Sportswoman of the Year.

She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame, and was the first female inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame, and she is also a board member of Serie A. Roma's board of directors.

Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life, Hamm has appeared in several films and television shows, including the HBO documentary Dare to Dream: The Story of the United States Women's Soccer Team.

Early life

Mia, the fourth of Bill and Stephanie Hamm's six children, was born in Selma, Alabama. After being born with a club foot, she wore appropriate shoes as a toddler. Hamm spent her childhood with her family on various US Air Force bases around the world. Hamm first played soccer in Florence, Italy; her entire family was soon involved in the sport. Hamm played for the first time in Wichita Falls, Texas, when she was five years old and then residing in Wichita Falls, Texas. Mia and her newly adopted brother, 8-year-old Garrett, were coached by her father, who was tutored by her father.

Hamm played sports from a young age and excelled as a football player on the boys' team at junior high school. She played soccer for Notre Dame Catholic High School in Wichita Falls as a freshman and sophomore. She appeared at the 1988 US Olympic Festival, becoming the youngest participant to compete for the United States women's national soccer team. She often started as a forward but didn't score a single goal during her first year with the team, but she didn't score a single goal. Hamm spent a year at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, helping the Lake Braddock soccer team win the 1989 state championships.

Personal life

Hamm was first married to Christiaan Corry, a United States Marine Corps helicopter pilot, in 2001; the two married for six years. In a ceremony attended by a few hundred people, she married then-Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra on November 22, 2003, in Goleta, California. Grace Isabella and Ava Caroline were born on March 27, 2007, Hamm gave birth to twin girls, Grace Isabella and Ava Caroline. Despite being born five weeks early, each girl weighed over 5 pounds (2.3 kg) at birth. In January 2012, the couple had a son, named Garrett Anthony.

Following the death of her adopted brother Garrett in 1997 from a rare blood disease he had suffered from for ten years, Hamm founded the Mia Hamm Foundation in 1999. The foundation is dedicated to raising money for families in need of a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. It also focuses on the creation of opportunities for women to be empowered by sport. In Los Angeles, Hamm hosts an annual celebrity soccer game to benefit the charity.

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Club career

Hamm spent her time at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 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 concentrate on the preparations for the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup in China. North Carolina has dropped one game of the 95 season she was on the team. For three years, she was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 1993 and 1994. She earned All-American accolades, was named ACC Player of the Year for three years in a row, and was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year. She graduated from North Carolina in 1994 with 103 goals, assists (72), and total points (278). She and Michael Jordan were named among the top Athletes of the first fifty years of the conference in 2003.

Hamm was a member of the United States women's national college team that claimed a silver medal and then was defeated by China in the final at the 1993 Summer Universiade in Buffalo, New York.

Hamm played for the Washington Freedom from 2001 to 2003 as a founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Hamm was hailed as the league's best player and was heavily used in marketing and promotion throughout its history. Anna Kournikova, the runner-up, was named "the most attractive female celebrity" in a survey conducted in 2001 by 1,000 advertising executives, receiving nearly twice as many votes as the runner-up.

Hamm was fouled in the penalty area during the league's inaugural match between the Freedom and Bay Area CyberRays at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., resulting in a penalty kick that her teammate Pretinha converted to mark her first goal scored in the league. The Freedom of the United States took 11-0 victory. In addition to the 34,148 fans in attendance at the weekend's MLS game, the Turner Network Television (TNT) broadcast reached 393,087 households: more than two MLS games were shown on ESPN and ESPN2. Hamm, a midfielder and forward, appeared in 19 of the Freedom's 21 matches during the 2001 season. She led the team in goals (6) and assists (4). With a 6–12–3 record, the Freedom took seventh place during the regular season.

Hamm sustained a knee injury in November 2001 that kept her off the field for several months until early 2002. Despite playing just half of the 2002 season with the Freedom, she finished the season with eight goals. During the 2002 season, the team finished in third place with an 11–5-5 record and advanced to the playoffs. The team lost 3–2 by the Carolina Courage in the 2002 WUSA Founders Cup after winning the semi-finals against the Philadelphia Charge 1–0. In the 64th minute, Hamm scored his second goal.

Hamm appeared in 16 of the 19 games she played during the 2003 season. Her 11 goals ranked second on the team, behind Abby Wambach's 13 goals, and her 11 assists ranked first. The Freedoms finished in fourth place in the regular season with a 9-8-4 record and a playoff appearance. Hamm finished her WUSA career as a champion after the Freedom defeated Atlanta 2–1 in overtime to win the Founders Cup on August 24, 2003.

Hamm announced her retirement on May 14, 2004, following the 2004 Athens Olympics. Hamm and her colleagues participated in a 10-game farewell tour in the United States following the 2004 Olympics. On December 8, 2004, Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett's last international match of the tour against Mexico at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, was the last international match of the tour. The United States defeated Mexico 5–0, and Hamm assisted with two of the goals.

Hamm retired at the age of 32 with a record of 158 international goals. Foudy and Fawcett's teammates were honoured with a pre-game parade and roses in front of 15,549 fans at Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Hamm was assisting on the first two goals of the 5–0 victory over Mexico. Hamm's #9 jersey was inherited by midfielder Heather O'Reilly following her retirement.

International career

Hamm made her national soccer team debut in 1987 at the age of 15 — just two years after the team played their first international match. She was the youngest person to play for the team. She scored her first goal on her 17th appearance. She appeared in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: the inaugural 1991 in China, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 and 2003 in the United States. She was in charge of three Olympic Games, including 1996 in Atlanta (the first time women's soccer was played), 2000 in Athens, and 2004 in Athens. In total, she played 42 games and scored 14 goals in international tournaments.

Hamm set the record for most international goals scored—by a woman or man—until 2013 and remains in third place as of 2017. She currently ranks third in the U.S. national team's career caps (276) and first for career assists (144).

Hamm was invited to the roster for the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in China by North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance in 1991. She was still the youngest player on the team at 19 years old at 19 years old. Hamm scored in the 62nd minute in the team's first match of the tournament, leading the United States to a 3–2 victory over Sweden. When the team defeated Brazil 5–0, she scored once more in their second group stage match. After a third victory over Japan on November 21 and advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament, the US squad finished first in Group B. The United States beat Chinese Taipei 7–0 in the quarterfinal match. The United States defeated Norway 5–2 in the semi-finals after defeating Germany 5–2. The United States claimed the first World Cup championship title in front of 63,000 people, beating Japan 2–1.

Hamm's second World Cup appearance came during the 1995 tournament in Sweden. Head Coach Tony DiCicco led the United States. In a 3–3 draw against China PR, she scored the team's third goal in the team's first match of the tournament. During its second group stage match, the United States defeated Denmark. Kristine Lilly and Tiffeny Milbrett's goal gave the U.S. Hamm played goalkeeper for a few minutes after Briana Scurry was issued a red card and was suspended from the match. The United States advanced to the knock-out stage after beating Australia 4–1 on June 10, defeating Japan 4–0 in the quarter-finals. After beating China PR 2–0 on June 17, the United States was defeated by eventual champion Norway 1–0 in the semi-finals and secured third place. In the 55th minute, Hamm scored his second goal of the match.

Hamm was a key part of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta; this was the first Olympic tournament to include women's soccer. In their first preliminary round match, the United States and Denmark met Denmark. Hamm led the United States to a 3–0 victory after scoring a goal and assisting Tiffeny Milbrett. At the Orlando Citrus Bowl, the team defeated Sweden 2–1 next. In Group E, the United States finished second, defeating China 0–0 in their final preliminary round match. Despite suffering from foot and groin injuries during team training and the match against Sweden, Hamm played well. Despite being carried away by stretcher in the final minute, her team won their first Olympic gold medal with a 2–1 victory and the largest crowd for a women's sports festival in the United States in history.

Hamm's 1998 goals were the most important in her international career. She has also provided 20 assists. In a friendly match against Russia in Rochester, New York, she scored her 100th international goal on September 18th. She earned the United States their first-ever Goodwill Games gold medal in the same year. At the tournament, Hamm scored five of the team's seven goals, two of which were against China in the championship match.

Hamm scored her 108th goal in a game against Brazil in Orlando, Florida, on May 22, 1999. Following the following month, she coached the national team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was hosted by the United States. The United States defeated Denmark 3–0 in their first group stage match against Denmark. She scored her 110th international goal and assisted Julie Foudy. Hamm's poor free kick was turned into the goal by a Nigerian midfielder against Nigeria. Hamm scored with a free kick within a minute. Kristine Lilly was briefly an assist before being replaced in the 57th minute. The United States defeated the United States 7-1 and securing a spot in the quarter-finals. During the team's last group stage match, head coach Tony DiCicco rested a number of players, including Hamm, who was forced to return at halftime. With nine points, the United States defeated Korea 3–0 and ended Group A of Group A. The United States defeated Germany 32-0 in the quarter-finals. Hamm was knocked down in the penalty area late in the second half but their side won 2–0, with Michelle Akers converted the following penalty.

The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final was decided by a penalty shootout between the United States and China after 90 minutes of scoreless regulation time and 30 minutes of sudden death. The five American players will kick penalty kicks, including Hamm; China failed on one try so that the home team prevailed. With more than 90,000 people packed the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the final surpassed the 1996 Atlanta Olympic final as the most attended women's sports tournament. It held the record for the largest television audience in the United States for a soccer match with 17,975,000 viewers until 2014. Following the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup (25,400,000 viewers) and 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match between the U.S. men's team and Portugal (18,220,000 viewers), it currently ranks third as a result of July 2015.

Hamm collapsed in the locker room immediately after the final due to severe dehydration. She was administered by medical staff with an intravenous drip and three liters of fluids. She joined the team for magazine cover shoots, travelled to Disneyland for a birthday parade, and made numerous television appearances. On a week later, the crew met President Clinton at the White House and flew with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on Air Force One to Cape Canaveral. Hamm's leadership and success at the 1999 World Cup cemented her as a soccer icon.

At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Hamm represented the United States. She scored a goal against Norway on the group stage to lift the US to a 2–0 victory. In their next group stage match, the team tied China 1–1 before defeating Nigeria 3–1 to finish first in their group. Hamm scored the game-winning goal in the 60th minute after qualifying to the semi-finals against Brazil. The aim marked her 127th appearance on international play, as well as a new record for the most goals scored by a woman or a man. The United States defeated Norway 3–2 in overtime to earn the gold medal at the Games.

The 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, originally scheduled for China, was postponed to the United States due to the SARS outbreak. Hamm was welcomed to the United States roster in August and announced that it would be her last World Cup appearance. Hamm's three assists helped the United States beat Sweden 3–1 in their first group stage match. She scored twice against Nigeria and assisted with the team's third goal, leading the U.S. to a 5–0 victory and qualification for the quarter-finals with just one match to play. In their last group stage match, the United States defeated North Korea 3–0, with the prevailing 3–0. Hamm and a few others were able to watch the game by head coach April Heinrichs; this was the first World Cup match Hamm had missed in her career. In the quarter-finals, the United States faced Norway; although the United States defeated Norway 12-0, Hamm was fouled throughout the game as Norway played with physical strength to oppose the US team. One of Norway's 24 fouls resulted in a penalty kick for Hamm that was saved by the Norwegian goalkeeper. The team beat Canada 3–1 to secure a third-place finish after the United States was defeated 3–0 by Germany in the semi-finals.

Hamm scored her 158th international goal in 2004 during a friendly match against Australia, breaking the world record for the most international goals scored by any player, male or female. She held the world record until Abby Wambach scored her 159th goal on June 20, 2013. Kristine Lilly and Christie Rampone, two of Hamm's teammates, also played in more international games; Hamm's 259th international appearance.

Hamm was a member of the United States national team who lifted the American flag at the closing ceremony in Athens, contributing to the country's second gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Hamm crossed the cross to Shannon Boxx's game-opening goal and led the team to a 3–0 victory in their first group stage match against Greece. Hamm converted a penalty kick for the first goal during a 2–0 win over Brazil in the second group stage match. The United States finished at the top of Group C after a 1–1 draw with Australia that saw them advance to the quarter-finals, where they defeated Japan 2–1. Hamm was assisting Heather O'Reilly who scored in overtime to gain a 2–1 victory in the semi-final match against Germany. For the second time in the gold medal match, the United States met Brazil and defeated Brazil 2–1 in overtime. After the final whistle, her teammates swarmed Hamm to celebrate their second Olympic gold medal and their final victory at the Olympics, she remarked. The game marked the last Olympic appearance for the five remaining players who had helped win the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup: Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain, and Kristine Lilly (often referred to as the Fab Five).

Career statistics

Hamm played in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, 1995 in China, 1995 in Sweden, 1999 and 2003 in the United States. She appeared at three Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, 2000, and 2004 in Athens: 1996, 2000, 2000. She appeared in 38 games and scored 13 goals at seven top international tournaments. Hamm, with her teammates, finished third at two World Cup tournaments in 1995 and 2003, second at the 2000 Olympics, and first at four other international tournaments.

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