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Mia Hamm, star of the U.S. National Soccer Team, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup champion, and five-time National Player of the Year, has a simple take on her talents that also explains her success: "Many people say I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that, someday I just might be." That's what's so appealing about Hamm as a role model, and it's the i... More

Mia Hamm, star of the U.S. National Soccer Team, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup champion, and five-time National Player of the Year, has a simple take on her talents that also explains her success: "Many people say I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that, someday I just might be." That's what's so appealing about Hamm as a role model, and it's the inspirational message at the heart of her autobiography. But Goal is only in part about herself--"There is no me in Mia," she suggests. Sure, she tells the story of the Army brat who rose to international stardom, but her book is really a pep talk and soccer instructional aimed at the hearts of the countless young women hoping to fill her enormous cleats. Mixing anecdote and opinion--she insists Kristine Lilly is the best player in the world, period--with lots of solid coaching and practical advice, Hamm breaks the game down into its essential skill components (trapping, passing, dribbling, shooting, heading, goaltending) and then addresses both the mental and physical aspects of the game in prose that talks up--not down--to her target readers. Photos (some to teach, some clearly to wow), diagrams (x's and o's of drills and plays), and tips from her teammates (Michelle Akers says, "There is a difference between a finisher and shooter.... The players who score tons of goals are the ones who can not only shoot but finish with deadly accuracy") help her cover the field, and Hamm scores additional points with the same contagious spirit she demonstrates every time she puts on her uniform. --Jeff Silverman

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