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Engraved portrait of Mia Hamm
Sports · 1990s

Mia Hamm

In memoriam 1972–
Soccer (forward / midfielder)Sport
United States women's national teamTeams
2 World Cups, 2 Olympic goldsTitles
158 international goals in 276 capsRecords
Mariel Margaret Hamm, Selma, AlabamaBorn
The Turning Point

Hamm debuted for the U.S. women's national team at just 15 and helped win the inaugural 1991 World Cup. She became the global face of women's soccer in 1999, when her goals and charisma carried the U.S. to a riveting home World Cup title before record crowds. That summer made her a national icon.

Mia Hamm playing for the United States in 1995.
Mia Hamm playing for the United States in 1995.

Teen Prodigy

Mia Hamm joined the U.S. national team at age 15, the youngest player ever to do so. By 19 she was a world champion, helping the United States win the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991.

The Face of 1999

Hamm became the breakout star of the 1999 Women's World Cup, a tournament that drew record crowds and ended in a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over China. Her popularity helped transform women's soccer in America.

Record Setter

When she retired in 2004 after a second Olympic gold, Hamm held the all-time international scoring record of 158 goals. She was named FIFA World Player of the Year twice and entered the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Career Timeline

  1. 1987Made U.S. national team debut at age 15
  2. 1991Won inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup
  3. 1996Won Olympic gold in Atlanta
  4. 1999Won World Cup before a home crowd
  5. 1999Named to World Cup all-star team
  6. 2000Won Olympic silver medal in Sydney
  7. 2001Named FIFA World Player of the Year
  8. 2002Won FIFA World Player of the Year again
  9. 2004Won second Olympic gold, then retired
  10. 2007Inducted into Soccer Hall of Fame

Biggest Hits

1999
Two-time World Cup ChampionWon with Team USA in 1991 and 1999
2004
Two-time Olympic gold medalistWon gold in 1996 and 2004, silver in 2000
2002
FIFA World Player of the YearWon the inaugural award in 2001 and again in 2002
2004
158 international goalsMost by any player, male or female, at retirement
2007
Soccer Hall of FameInducted in her first year of eligibility
Did You Know
  • Hamm held the record for most international goals (158) until Abby Wambach passed her in 2013.
  • She married baseball star Nomar Garciaparra in 2003.

Portrait: Johnmaxmena2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

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