Legacy of Hamm has suffered years of football success-Houston Chronicle

 Former player Mia Hamm played an integral role in helping create and maintain interest in the women's football in the United States.In Spanish, the name Mia can be translated as "my." so when the family summers began to talk about names for the first-born daughter of Shannon summers 2002 built the case for the name around the literal meaning of the Spanish view his wife, Dolores. But Shannon, who teaches English and coaches Football at Atascocita High School, when they had another meaning in mindhis daughter, an 8-year-old understands. "In my opinion, this means a really good player, "says Mia summers, who played for Texas heatwave and the program of the Academy challenge. "I believe that it can play because it was named by Mia Hamm, and I like."Hamm, Chastain Brandy and the rest of US women's national team captured the hearts and the attention to an exciting ride in the title at the 1999 women's World Cup. As the u.s. began another World Cup run in the third with a 2-0 victory over North Korea, an entire new generation of fans were watching the 2000, Mia was the most popular 94i name in America. Until 2009, ranked 10th. victory of 1999 "was clearly a very important moment for women's soccer, women's sports, and more broadly the whole equality and gender issues, which was supported by many positive opinions on the success of the team," USA Football Federation President Sunil Gulati said. "This is truly a moment of achievement."Mia Summers was not the only little girl setting to ESPN on Tuesday morning to watch the u.s. national team in the opener at the 2011 women's World Cup in Germany. At the University of Houston, a great football team straight cut short their caravans session from 15 minutes to watch the start of US-North Korea match. football coach at the University of Houston women Susan Bush, a former USA national team player who played in the Hamm's alma mater, North Carolina, attended by dozens of ordinary caravans. While the United States men's team is trying to catch up to the powers of the worldthe US women, traditionally among the Favorites to win the Olympic gold medal or the World Cup, The United States, Brazil and Germany are among the host trendy collections to win this year. However, since he won his second World Cup title in 1999, the US has been knocked out in the semifinals the last two Cups. More than medals, however, the 1999 Group of women who left a greater legacy. "Not only was Mia, "said Bush, who has played with Hamm for the national team. "Was the generation, including Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Kristine Lilly. Who is the team that enabled girls in this country can aspire to a different level, not only the body but playing for your country on a world stage, the Olympics or the World Cup. "The girls have given a sense of confidence, and the idea that competition is OK, leadership in a group it is OK to be strong and independent is OK. All those things that boys know instinctively. The generation that stage to enable girls to develop strong competitive sportsmen and women. "Jesus.Ortiz@chron.com