9781422275962

Mia Hamm averaged an assist at least every other match—a USWNT record.

MIA HAMM Mia Hamm is one of the most unlikely soccer superstars of all time. Known to be a very introverted woman, she was nonetheless considered the Michael Jordan of the sport. That honor was due not only to Hamm’s scoring abilities, but also to her influence on popularizing the game in her home country. In college, Hamm led UNC to four straight NCAA championships and a 94–1 record. She then made headlines by debuting with the 1991 World Cup team at the age of nineteen. Hamm’s success in this tournament started early, as she scored in the first match of the competition. With her steady presence and mature personality, she and Akers were able to lead the team to FIFA Women’s World Cup championships in 1991 and 1999. Due to her girl-next-door personality and raw scoring ability, Hamm was one of the few female soccer players to earn marketing deals, including long-term agreements with Nike and Gatorade. Along with

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