The number of pre-pubescent screaming girls lined up around Klöckner Stadium last Saturday morning was so large that the only logical explanation for the scene seemed to be that Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake was preparing to perform a concert at the soccer stadium.
But the name the multitude of young females screamed out in adoration was not "Justin" or "Britney." It was "Mia."
Legendary soccer player and national superstar Mia Hamm along with the rest of the U.S. women's national team are spending the week in Charlottesville, using Klöckner Stadium and the surrounding complex for training sessions in preparation for their Sept. 21 World Cup opener against Sweden in Washington, D.C.
Originally, seven different sites were under consideration, according to coach April Heinrichs, including Annapolis and Baltimore. But in the end, the location and quality of facilities at Virginia proved it to be the most compelling location for the team.
"We wanted to get out and away from everything," Heinrichs said. "At the same time there is enough here in Charlottesville to keep the team busy. The food and shopping in this town are fantastic."
Heinrichs should know. She spent four seasons coaching the women's squad at Virginia, leading the team to four NCAA tournaments and a 52-27-7 record from 1996-99. Now, back in Charlottesville preparing the women's national team for the World Cup, Heinrichs is on top of the world.
"I'm living a dream right now," Heinrichs said. "I'm absolutely living a dream. I've got the best job in America and I get to come back to this amazing community here in Charlottesville. It doesn't get much better than this."
Forward Angela Hucles is another member of the national squad who finds herself in familiar territory this week. Hucles played under Heinrichs all four seasons that she coached at Virginia. Her 59 goals and 138 points during her career are still school records.
Added to the national squad in April, 2002, Hucles said being named to the World Cup roster was "the biggest thrill of her career."
"Up until that point it was being drafted to play professionally in the WUSA," Hucles said. "But nothing beats the World Cup. It is the soccer tournament."
Hucles is one of eight newcomers to a squad that returns many of the players from the 1999 championship team, including goalkeeper Briana Scurry, defender Brandi Chastain, midfielder Julie Foudy and, of course, Hamm.
In addition to being the most recognized female soccer player on the planet, Hamm is the world's all-time leading scorer with 140 goals and 116 assists for 396 points in international play. She already has two World Cup championships under her belt, but says she couldn't resist the opportunity to play in the tournament one last time.
"I really wanted to give it one more go," Hamm said. "It's just such a thrill to pull on that United States jersey and play for your country. But this is definitely my last World Cup."
The national team will continue practicing in Charlottesville for the next two days, this morning at 10 and tomorrow morning at 11. The training sessions are open to the public free of charge.
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