U.S. women’s national team forward Mia Hamm added to her legend in a style befitting the greatest female goal scorer in history, blasting in her 100th and 101st career international goals in front of a standing-room only, sell-out crowd of 13,125 fans at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y. as the USA defeated Russia, 4-0, in U.S. Women’s Cup ’98 play. Tiffeny Milbrett, playing in her 100th game for the United States, produced some thunder of her own with two goals and two assists, including setting up Hamm’s historic goal that came in the 35th minute. With the USA leading 2-0 on two Milbrett goals just three minutes apart in the 25th and 28th minutes, Milbrett streaked down the left flank and sent a cross into the middle that Russian defender Marina Burkova misplayed. Hamm ran onto the bouncing ball and ripped a right-footed half-volley high into the left side-netting for goal number 100, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The USA bench emptied onto the field as the match was stopped for two minutes and Hamm was presented the game ball by U.S. captain Carla Overbeck. 100 was the number of the night as the U.S. women picked up their 100th win since claiming the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup title. The USA is 100-13-6 since taking the world title in China in 1991. Hamm becomes the third player ever to score 100 international goals and will now set her sights on the world scoring record held by the long-retired Elisabetta Vignotto of Italy, who scored 108 goals in a career that spanned the 1970s. Italian Carolina Morace, with 105 career goals, is second on the all-time goal scoring list, but is also retired. Hamm will likely break the world record during 1999 as the USA continues preparations toward the Women’s World Cup next summer. “It was a fantastic night, certainly one that I will remember forever,” said Hamm. “The crowd was great and it was a lot of fun, but it was even better because I could share it with my teammates. I wouldn’t have scored any goals without them and it’s a credit to this team that we can have moments like this. We are looking forward to more great accomplishments all the way to the Women’s World Cup.” Milbrett got the party started against an athletic Russian side, courtesy of Hamm, who received a pass from Brandi Chastain down the right flank, cut toward the goal and unselfishly cut a pass back across the six yard box. Milbrett chopped her first time shot into the left corner to give to give the U.S. the lead. “I was delighted that Mia got her 100th goal, “said U.S. Head Coach Tony DiCicco. “But I was just as proud of her on the first goal, when she could have shot but found an open player in better position to score. I respect that quality in Mia as much as I do her tremendous talent. Her team goals are always in front of her personal goals.” Hamm left the match to a standing ovation in the 58th minute as she was replaced by Robin Confer. Milbrett’s second goal came after Brandi Chastain put Joy Fawcett through down the right flank where she crossed to Milbrett at the far post. Milbrett took a touch to the inside and whipped the ball into the net at the near post from 10 yards out. The goals upped Milbrett’s international total to 46. Hamm got the final U.S. goal on a spectacular diving header in the final minute of the first half. Milbrett once again fed Hamm, crossing from the edge of the penalty box on the right side. Hamm sliced through the middle and flew in the air to redirect the ball into the left corner. The USA did not score in the second half, but the damage was done and the sellout crowd in Rochester was treated to an historic show. U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry made six saves in the match, including several flying stops in the second half, to extend the scoreless streak for the U.S. defense to 459 minutes. “It was Tiffeny and Mia’s night,” added DiCicco. “It was a tribute to how important Tiffeny is to this team and she is still improving as a player. Tiff and Mia form quite a one-two punch, and when you add Kristine Lilly to the front line, they form an attacking combination that every defense in the world has to respect.” Brazil, which thrashed Mexico 11-0 in the night’s opening match, will meet the USA for the tournament title on Sunday in Richmond, Va. at 3:00 p.m. ET (live on ESPN2 and Telemundo; delayed until 3:00 PT on Telemundo). Mexico and Russia will meet at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in Rochester, N.Y. USA 4 Russia 0. Goals: Milbrett 25, 28, Hamm 35, 45. USA — Scurry, Pearce, Overbeck, Sobrero, Fawcett, Chastain (Whalen, 61), Akers (Venturini, 46), Foudy (Keller, 68), Lilly, Milbrett (MacMillan, 73), Hamm (Confer, 58). Russia — Petko, Dmitrienko, Burakova, Dikareva, Komarova, Egorova, Grigorieva, Svetlitskaya, Barbashina (Letuyshova, 68), Bossikova, Barkova. Att.: 13,125.
Standings
| TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| USA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6 |
| Brazil | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 4 |
| Russia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Mexico | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 |