Versatility? Gotta Hamm it to Mia

PHILADELPHIA — The very definition of greatness has been on display by women's soccer's greatest player. Mia Hamm has been nothing short of magnificent in the World Cup.

Scoring, assisting, playmaking, tackling, defending, Hamm has not missed a beat in the two United States victories. At 31 and appearing, she says, in her final World Cup, the sport's career scoring leader has shown the kind of versatility, relentlessness and overall command of the game that identifies her as a special player.

"I think Mia's at the top of her game, for sure right now," said Cindy Parlow, who has two header goals off Hamm's perfect corner kicks in this tournament. "She's played great. She's given this team so much."

Hamm always has given it her best, but she hasn't always played at this level. In recent years, injuries have slowed her.

Not now.

"She's healthy," Parlow said. "It's hard to be on top of your game when you're not healthy. This is the healthiest she's been in a few years."

Slowed by knee surgery in 2002, Hamm appeared on the decline. But fully recovered, she had a strong WUSA season this year, tying with teammate Abby Wambach for the league scoring lead and guiding the Washington Freedom to the championship.

With her scoring touch back, Hamm also has concentrated on sharpening other aspects of her game. U.S. coach April Heinrichs encourages versatility in all her players, and at times she has dropped Hamm back to the midfield into more of a playmaker's role.

Plus, Hamm takes nearly all of the corner kicks and free kicks, giving her more opportunities to set up teammates — something she seems to enjoy as much as putting the ball home, which Hamm has done a record 144 times in international play.

"She was at a whole other level than what we've seen," Heinrichs said. "She's very competitive. She is finding ways to compete as a forward, as a midfielder, using her brain. You saw how sophisticated she was when we dropped her into the midfield.

"She's a playmaker, a goal scorer, a leader. I think we are seeing Mia at her very best."

You won't hear such things from Hamm, the only American to start every World Cup match. Ask her about teammates or opponents, she'll offer accurate, sometimes detailed analyses. Ask about her achievements and she is reticent.