Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm is an American retired soccer player, born on March 17, 1972, in Selma, Alabama. She is widely revered as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time. Hamm started her professional career with the Washington Freedom, where she won multiple titles, including two Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) championships.

Hamm is known for her speed, agility, and goal-scoring prowess. She has won numerous individual awards, including two FIFA World Player of the Year titles, and holds multiple records such as scoring 158 international goals, a record at the time of her retirement.

Off the field, Hamm has made considerable contributions through her foundation and has served as a role model for young athletes worldwide.

University of North Carolina

• College Career: Hamm attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she helped the team win four NCAA Women's Soccer Championships.

Washington Freedom

• Professional Career: Hamm played for the Washington Freedom in the Women's United Soccer Association, the first professional women's soccer league in the United States, from 2001 to 2003. Here, she became one of the league's marquee players and won the WUSA Founders Cup in the league's inaugural season.

United States National Team

• Debut: Hamm made her debut for the United States national team in 1987.

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup: Winner in 1991 and 1999.
• Olympic Gold Medals: Winner in 1996 and 2004.
• Hamm was the U.S. team's all-time top scorer until 2013 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year twice.

• Position: Primarily a forward.
• Skills: Known for her exceptional speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability. Hamm is celebrated for her tactical intelligence, versatility, and leadership on the field.

• Family: Hamm is married to former professional baseball player Nomar Garciaparra. They have twin daughters and a son.
• Philanthropy: Hamm established the Mia Hamm Foundation in 1999, dedicated to promoting physical activity for girls and raising funds for bone marrow transplant patients.

• Mia Hamm is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her pioneering role in promoting soccer, particularly women's soccer, in the United States. Her impact goes beyond the sport, inspiring millions of young athletes around the world.

International Goals:

• Scored 158 international goals

FIFA World Player of the Year:

• Winner in 2001 and 2002

Women's World Cup:

• Winner in 1991 and 1999

Olympic Gold Medals:

• Winner in 1996 and 2004

Books

• Hamm, M., & Ackerman, A. (1999). Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life. New York: HarperCollins.
• Longman, J. (1999). The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World. New York: HarperCollins.

Websites

• FIFA: Information about Mia Hamm’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
• U.S. Soccer: Details about Hamm’s career with the U.S. National Team. Available at: https://www.ussoccer.com
• Mia Hamm Foundation: Official site with updates on Hamm’s charitable work. Available at: https://www.miafoundation.org

Articles

• ESPN: Mia Hamm: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/soccer/news/story/_/id/1514848
• The Guardian: Mia Hamm’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/mia-hamm

Interviews and Documentaries

• Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team (2005): Directed by Ouisie Shapiro. This documentary provides a detailed look at Hamm’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Mia Hamm, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.espn.com