Mia Hamm emotional watching U.S. comeback

Mia Hamm was about a mile from the stadium Sunday when the United States fashioned the second-greatest moment in the history of American women's soccer. But the passion on ESPN's set in downtown Dresden was not far removed from those on the field -- not with three players and the coach of the 1999 Cup-winning U.S. squad hanging on every play.

"It was exciting, emotional," said Hamm, who has been working for the website espnW in Germany, with spot duty on ESPN. "There's always going to be a tie.

"As much as you try to be impartial with your comments, it's hard. Even though you take the jersey off, you invest a lot in that team and that program. You're proud to be part of that legacy."

Speaking of taking the jersey off, Brandi Chastain, whose shootout tally famously clinched the '99 Cup, was there taking it all in with Hamm, as were former goalkeeper Briana Scurry and former coach Tony DiCicco. They were as wowed as everyone else who saw Team USA beat Brazil on penalty shots.

"It was an emotional roller coaster just watching," Hamm said. "I can't imagine what it was like for the players playing . . . It was one of the most exciting soccer games I've seen."

Hamm broke down in detail the action leading up to Abby Wambach's tying header in the 122nd minute, marveling that "for a hectic time and hectic part of the game, everyone was just really composed."

She called Wambach's redirection of Megan Rapinoe's crossing pass "clinical" and marveled at her poise as the Brazilian goalkeeper closed in on her.

"I know I probably would have flinched at that," Hamm said. "She didn't. She was locked on to that ball. She positioned her body perfectly, squared to her target and there was no doubt."

With host Germany ousted by Japan on Saturday, the Americans are the tournament favorites entering the semifinals Wednesday. Hamm said she is confident the team is prepared for that challenge.

"If you put on that U.S. jersey, you have to assume people are going to come after you," she said. "That's part of the legacy."

Twelve years after Hamm led the Americans to their most recent Cup title, another title would do wonders for the sport here. After Sunday, the current U.S. entry has put its own stamp on the event.

When told that women's soccer was shown on televisions in the Yankees' clubhouse and on the Yankee Stadium video board before Sunday's Rays-Yankees game, Hamm said: "That gave me chills to hear that. That's fantastic."