Shanghai Yummy

The USA beat Canada 3-1 in the 3rd place match of the Women's World Cup today. It was widely rumored to be Mia Hamm's last international match, and the symbolic end of an era in soccer.

I've been a Mia fan since high school, when I played goalkeeper for my school's team. That was a long time ago in the history of soccer in the United States. There really weren't a lot of role models for a soccer player, male or female, in the US at that time. I remember being a Tony Meola fan, because he was a fellow keeper. But I don't remember any of the other men on the US national team from those days. I do remember Mia Hamm, though. She was, in my mind, the first US soccer player in recent history to really energize people, not just other players, but the fans. But as a player, I really appreciated the pioneering role she played for soccer in the US. The attention she garnered, and the efforts she made to encourage young people to play soccer and follow their dreams, were contributions that really changed the perception of the game in the US.

I've been a soccer player since grade school. I never played in little league, and my experience with American football never got past the pickup game level. Whereas other kids had figures like Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Walter Payton, and Dick Butkus in whose footsteps to dream of following, soccer players didn't have a real American icon to dream of following. Kids growing up today have that now, in Mia Hamm. I am so envious of those kids.

So thanks, Mia, for everything you've given to soccer. But more importantly, thanks for your contribution to so many dreams yet to be fulfilled. Thanks for everything you're still giving, and will give, to young people all over the world.

PGP Signed Entry