 In 2002 , Wambach was selected second during the first round of the 2002 WUSA Draft by the Washington Freedom for the second season of the Women 's United Soccer Association ( WUSA ) . After tying with the Carolina Courage for last place during the previous season , the Freedom hoped to turn things around in 2002 . With Mia Hamm out for the first half of the season for knee surgery and recovery , the Freedom found themselves in sixth place . After Hamm 's return , the team finished the remainder of the season 9 – 1 – 2 , finishing third with a berth into the playoffs . Of the team 's turnaround , Wambach noted , " Early on in the season it was difficult to get everyone on the same page . Mia was out , we had just started playing with the Chinese players , Steffi hadn 't come yet . There were so many factors that went into us not playing as well . Since people have returned , and we have been able to grasp what exactly one another was doing out there , it 's been easier to get results . " During the semifinals , the Freedom upset the Philadelphia Charge 1 – 0 . During the final against the Carolina Courage , the Freedom lost in front of 12 @,@ 000 spectators at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta . Wambach assisted on Hamm 's 64th @-@ minute goal , the team 's second goal , after the Courage 's Danielle <unk> scored an own goal in the 31st minute ; however , it was not enough to equalize Carolina 's three goals . After leading all first @-@ year players in the league in scoring , Wambach was named WUSA Rookie of the Year in 2002 . She was Washington 's leading scorer with ten goals and ten assists and finished tied for fourth for scoring in the WUSA . 
