| Women's soccer never would have been the same | | | | women's soccer to a level close to what men |
| if Mia Hamm hadn't started up soccer when she | | | | are playing. She is one of the two women |
| was little. She had such an impact on women's | | | | named in Pele's "List of 125 Best Soccer |
| soccer that she is often thought to mean as | | | | Players of All Times" and she is a symbol of |
| much for it as Pele or Cruyff meant for men's | | | | women's sports throughout the World. She |
| soccer. But before being a great soccer | | | | also holds two FIFA World Player of the Year |
| player and athlete that broke down almost | | | | awards, which she got in 2001 (the first year |
| every possible record at her level, Mia Hamm | | | | the trophy was given) and 2002. |
| is a great person and I'd like you to meet | | | | Unfortunately, she would have gotten a lot |
| the human behind the soccer god in this Mia | | | | more of these awards, but with the World |
| Hamm biography. If you're like me, you're | | | | Player of the Year awards being granted for |
| probably wondering how and when did Mia Hamm | | | | women when Mia Hamm was already nearing the |
| start playing soccer and what events drove | | | | end of her career, she didn't really have a |
| her to become a super star of women's soccer. | | | | chance to widen her trophy room. In numbers, |
| Mia Hamm's childhood circled around sports | | | | Mia Hamm was the United States top goal |
| and athleticism and as her brother recalled, | | | | scorer, with 158 goals in 275 matches, a |
| she was faster and more athletic than most of | | | | remarkable record that will probably dust and |
| the boys on the block, so she was able to | | | | rust before it is beaten. She scored more |
| play competitively with and against them. | | | | goals than any man or woman for her national |
| After taking up youth soccer training at her | | | | team, although many soccer specialists will |
| school's football team when she was only 12 | | | | agree that the level of women's soccer is |
| years old, she learned the basics of soccer | | | | still in an early grade and cannot be |
| and started enjoying the sport more and more. | | | | compared to men's soccer yet. She won the |
| Little did she know that three years later, | | | | Women's World Cup twice, in 1991 and 1999 and |
| when she was just 15, she would be called up | | | | also put the US national team through a Gold |
| for the United States national women's soccer | | | | Medal at the Olympic Games in 1996. All these |
| team, becoming the youngest player ever to | | | | titles, records and awards make Mia Hamm one |
| play for her country at that level (one of | | | | of the most important players in women's |
| her first broken records). That was kind of a | | | | soccer and the fact that Pele considered to |
| weird situation, since Mia Hamm was a soccer | | | | put her on the same list as legendary male |
| player for her national squad but didn't have | | | | players such as Maradona, Cruyff, Platini or |
| a fully professional playing contract with a | | | | Beckenbauer says a lot about the influence |
| club. But after seeing her performances, the | | | | she had in the game. |
| North Carolina Tar Heels quickly signed her | | | | |
| and they made quite a deal, since Mia Hamm | | | | Niv Orlian is the author and the owner of a |
| stayed with the club for 4 seasons, scoring | | | | Soccer Fans website that provides information |
| over 100 goals during her time here. Probably | | | | on various topics related to soccer. Find out |
| one of Mia Hamm's most important | | | | more info on Mia Hamm and other famous soccer |
| accomplishments is that she managed to bring | | | | players in his website. |