Updated: Dec 9, 2004, 2:26 PM

Vote: What is Mia Hamm's legacy?


Mia Hamm Mia Hamm is more than the most recognizable face in her sport. She is arguably the most recognizable female athlete in the world.

The star of the U.S. women's soccer team played her final game on Wednesday, recording two assists against Mexico. Only 32, Hamm scored a staggering 158 international goals in her career, leading the U.S. to World Cup titles in 1995 and 1999, as well as Olympic gold in 1996 and 2004.

Hamm was also the star player in the WUSA, the professional league which shut down in 2003 but will attempt to restart in some form next summer.

So what is Hamm's lasting legacy? Simply the greatest woman to ever take the soccer pitch, or a pioneer whose feats set the foundation for the future success of women's sports?
  • 1) Is Mia Hamm the all-time greatest female athlete in American sports?
  • 2) Who was your favorite player of this generation?
  • 3) Who is the next star of the U.S. National team?
  • 4) Which athlete do you think is directly responsible for encouraging the greatest number of children to play their sport?
  • 5) Will a professional women's soccer league ever be financially viable in the United States?
  • 6) What is more true of the 1999 World Cup final, played in front of 90,185 fans at the Rose Bowl?
  • 7) With Mia retired, who is now the most significant active U.S. women's sports icon?
  • 8) Who is a more recognizable sports figure?
  • 9) Will we see another player like Mia Hamm in the next 10 or 20 years?

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