Just released: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2004 FINAL MATCH FOR MIA HAMM, JULIE FOWDY, JOY FAWCETT LIVE ON ESPN CLASSIC, ESPN BROADBAND Historic Soccer Match Vs. Mexico Part Of “Classic Mia Hamm” Programming On Wednesday, December 8, ESPN Classic will carry a live telecast of the final game in the legendary international careers of U.S. soccer pioneers Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett. The match against Mexico will begin at 11 p.m. ET at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. It will also be carried live on ESPN Broadband. The game will be part of ESPN Classic’s 10-hour tribute to Hamm that will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will also include Classic Big Ticket: 1999 Women’s World Cup, featuring the original game footage of the famous 1999 Women’s World Cup final, as well as interviews with Hamm, Fowdy, Fawcett and teammates Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry and Kristine Lilly. "Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett, are athletes whose enormous impact upon their sport and upon women's sports in the U.S. is unmistakable," said Jodi Markley, senior vice president, international production, ESPN Classic and ESPN News. "This game marks an opportunity for sports fans to share an historic moment with these groundbreaking athletes, and ESPN Classic is thrilled to be able to bring it live to fans." Hamm has dominated soccer on the international stage, and is the most prolific scorer in the history of international soccer – male or female. In addition, she led the University of North Carolina to four NCAA women’s soccer titles (1989, ’90, ’92 and ‘93), and became the face of her sport while raising the stature of women’s athletics in the U.S. Among Hamm’s countless awards, she was the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year for 2001 and 2002. Of her final game, Hamm said, "I'm just so thankful and appreciative of the opportunity to represent my country and all the fans of women's soccer when we've played at home or abroad. As a team, we appreciate everything we have accomplished and all the fans who have supported us. It's a very special thing to have seen so many young girls watch us play over the years and hopefully they have seen themselves out on the field." Fowdy, the team Captain, is a 16-year veteran of the U.S. Women's National Team and is third all-time in both U.S. and world history for total games played. She, like Hamm and Fawcett, is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and has started in all six of the world championship events played by the U.S. Women’s National Team. She has scored in all four Women’s World Cup tournaments. Fawcett, who played every minute of the last three Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games for the USA, will not play due to an injury, but will appear at the match so fans can bid her farewell. The match against Mexico is part of a record-setting year for the U.S. women. They currently hold a 27-1-3 record, besting the mark for wins in a year. If the team defeats Mexico, they will also set the record for fewest losses and highest winning percentage in a year. ESPN Classic’s Tribute To Mia Hamm – Wed., 12/8 7:30 p.m. ET SportsCentury: Mia Hamm 8:30 Classic Big Ticket: 1999 Women's World Cup - USA vs. China 11pm USA vs. Mexico, LIVE (Mia Hamm's Last Game) 1:05 a.m. SportsCentury: Mia Hamm 2:00 Classic Big Ticket: 1999 Women's World Cup - USA vs. China -30- CONTACT: Paul Melvin, ESPN 860-766-9581 or paul.melvin@espn3.com