RETIRING HAMM'S OLYMPIC GOAL TO GO OUT A WINNER.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

There will be time later for sentiment - for battling tears and last hugs and the coming emotional tide.

Right now Mia Hamm is focused. She fully understands a final chapter is being written and there is no time for an abject ending.

There is time to right an old wrong, to exit with gold once again draped around her neck. Time for one last, memorable hurrah. Mia Hamm, the greatest female player in soccer history, leader of the most significant women's sports team ever, is going to call it a career.

Not before one last major international competition. Not before trying to lead the old gang to final glory in Athens.

And there might be more games played with the national team afterward back in the U.S., but as far as gearing up for a world title, this is it for Hamm.

At 32, recently married to Chicago Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and after 18 years spent on the U.S. national team, Hamm senses this is the right moment to call it a career.

``I watched Pete Sampras' retirement speech last year and he talked about just knowing it was the right time,'' Hamm said. ``And that's the way I feel right now.

``It's just a feeling. You know when it's telling you. I think as an athlete, and most people in business, want to leave on their terms. Want to walk away still feeling good about it.

``And that's the way I feel right now.''

Hamm is one of five key team members who helped the U.S. women's soccer team become an international power, who lifted soccer into the consciousness of every American school girl, if not every American.

Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett also will end their international careers after Athens, while Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain plan to keep going.

They leave behind a legacy of two World Cup championships, gold in the debut of women's Olympic soccer at the 1996 Games and untold young girls in pigtails running around the country in AYSO and other youth leagues.

U.S. defender Kate Markgarf remembers staring up at a poster of the team that won the 1991 World Cup in the bedroom of her home in Bloomington, Mich., and now dreams of sending them out as winners.

``I don't want to let my idols down,'' Markgarf said.

No one has inspired a greater following than Hamm, not only the greatest international scorer in women's soccer history, but a true pioneer of her sport. Like most everyone else, she might grapple with the question, but there can be no doubt she's had an impact in her young life - that she has already made an enormous difference.

``I just hope the sport is better because of something that I've done or something I've been a part of,'' Hamm said. ``I never thought I would be where I am today.

``And I've had so much help and so much support, that never once have I felt I've done it on my own. But I hope the game is better.''

Lilly said Hamm helped women's soccer not only with her ability and drive.

``She's a symbol of how you can be strong, independent and still feminine,'' Lilly said. ``She has changed a lot of perceptions about women athletes. A lot of parents are getting their girls into sports because of people like Mia.

``People saw a different look of what a women's athlete could be like. I think people were surprised by her femininity. I think you can be competitive and want to kill somebody on the field but still be a woman off the field.''

It will not be easy for Hamm and the others to go out the winners of their legacy seemingly dictates. The rest of the world has caught up to the U.S., which hasn't won a world title since 1999. There was a crushing overtime loss to Norway in the 2000 Olympic gold-medal game and a disappointing third-place finish in last year's World Cup behind Sweden and Germany.

``What we saw last year in the World Cup was Sweden and Germany took things to a new level with their new tactical sophistication,'' Hamm said. ``I mean, incredibly diverse and dynamic on the ball.

``We need to raise the bar. And that's what we're working hard to do. To become more sophisticated, to become more dynamic. To be able to play different systems and attack teams in different ways.''

Even in the self-imposed twilight of her career, Hamm is searching to grow as a player. If no longer the prolific scorer she was in the late '90s, she continues as one of the team's most reliable offensive threats.

``When I was younger, everything was about this game and about trying to make myself the best player I could be,'' she said. ``My priorities are changing, and that's just from becoming more mature, at least that's what I hope.

``There are definitely aspects to my game that aren't what they used to be. Maybe my first step isn't as explosive. I don't recover like I used to. But I think overall I'm a better player. I'm a smarter player. I make better decisions on the ball. If I didn't think I could still help the team, I wouldn't be out there because there are a lot more fun things to do than run 800 repeats.''

While training in Carson, Hamm spent the summer living with Foudy, Lilly, and Chastain in a three-bedroom house in Manhattan Beach. There has been a new appreciation for every day, every practice, every shared meal and laugh with friends of 18 years that have almost been more like sisters. And a certain peace in knowing the moment is right to move on.

``For me, it's time to take that next step in my life, whether that's starting a family of my own, spending time with my parents,'' Hamm said.

``I just know it's right. I get bangs in my heart when I call my sister and talk to my nephews or I see them and they've grown another six inches. I want to be a part of their lives. For so long they have followed me around and supported me. And it's time to give back.''

First, she wants to leave soccer with one final gift.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm, left, fights for a ball in a game against China.

(2) Mia Hamm gets a hug from U.S. teammate Kristine Lilly after the exhibition victory over China.

Bob Child/Associated Press