Bryant, Morgan lead Hamm’s team to win
The buildup to the Mia Hamm & Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge, which took place in Washington on Sunday for the first time in its four-year history, was evenly split.
Kobe Bryant was the most anticipated star participant, and he played despite an ESPN.com report that had said otherwise. But among those taking part, the refrain was consistent when asked which other celebrity they were most excited to see: U.S. women’s national team forward Alex Morgan.
In any case, both Bryant and Morgan were trumped by the heartfelt halftime ceremony in which bone marrow donors were introduced to their matched recipients for the first time. It left Hamm choked up at the sight of what she has aimed to achieve with her foundation, raising funds and awareness for families needing marrow or cord blood transplants.
“These guys are the real heroes,” Hamm said.
The capacity crowd at Kastles Stadium also got to see Bryant look surprising comfortable on the ball. With Morgan, Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall, Capitals defenseman John Carlson and current Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola as teammates — wearing FC Barcelona’s traditional claret blue uniforms — Bryant helped deliver Hamm her first victory over husband Garciaparra in the charity match 13-12.
Garciaparra’s squad, which included Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green, U.S. women’s team players Ali Krieger and Heather O’Reilly, ESPN’s Tony Reali and former Redskins great Charles Mann as goalie, battled the sweltering heat in all-black uniforms from Barcelona.
“How it all came together was just fantastic,” Hamm said. “They’ve always been so progressive in giving back. They were on board and supporting this being a part of the weekend.”
Led by the U.S. women’s team players, Hamm’s squad came back from an 11-8 deficit and won on a golden goal by former D.C. United midfielder John Harkes.
But the larger significance wasn’t lost.
“I think it’s important to get everyone registered [as a potential bone marrow donor],” former D.C. United defender Eddie Pope said. “I’m registered myself, so I am walking the walk. I know [Hamm and Garciaparra] don’t live here, but I think it’d be a great event to have here every year.”
