Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - If 2003 proves to be Mia Hamm's final World Cup hurrah, the star striker has proved she will be going out with a bang.

Prior to the kick-off of USA '03, it would have been difficult to imagine Hamm raising her game to an even higher level. Doubters step aside -- she has done it and so far left a pair of 'Group of Death' opponents in her wake.

On Thursday evening she led the U.S. women to a 5-0 thrashing of Nigeria in the team's second Group A outing. The 31-year-old, who made her international debut way back in 1986, wreaked havoc on the Super Eagles all night -- netting a pair of goals to go along with an assist to earn Bud Light Player of the Match honors.

In the sixth minute, Hamm stepped up and fired a penalty kick home past Nigeria 'keeper Precious Dede -- vaulting her into a new soccer stratosphere as the popular #9 joined a select group of women who have scored in each of the four FIFA Women's World Cups.

Then in the 12th minute, Hamm glanced up from 35 yards out and launched a free kick into the area which wound up in the Nigerian net. Ever one to deflect praise, the world's best-ever international scorer (men or women) said she was really trying to cross the ball in what wound up to be the 144th strike in her illustrious national team career.

"Honestly, I was trying to serve the ball in the box," Hamm said of her goal following the match.

But Hamm wasn't done performing for the crown of nearly 32,000 at Lincoln Financial Field. She added perfect corner serve for Cindy Parlow finish off in the 47th minute.

"Mia's play on and off the ball tonight was magnificent," said U.S. head coach April Heinrichs. "It was a whole other level of play for her."

Hamm even managed to garner praise from FIFA officials present at the match.

"She was all over the pitch and made no mistakes. She really played brilliantly and led her side to victory," FIFA Technical Study Group member Hope Powell said.

Heinrichs agreed, adding that Hamm will always work to find ways for her team to win.

"What you are seeing is a woman finding new ways to win games," said Heinrichs. "She is finding ways to compete by going into the attack, on defense, in the midfield and as a play-maker. You can see an urgency in her game. She wants to find ways to win and she knows that the best way to do that is to help the players around her.

Though in the twilight of her international career, it could be argued that Hamm is now playing the best soccer of her storied career for the U.S. women. American captain Julie Foudy said she sometimes finds herself in awe of her longtime teammate.

"It's awesome to watch," said team captain Julie Foudy. "I love her intensity. It's hard to say it is a new level for her because she is always setting new standards. You always measure standards against ones she's set. I love the way she is playing both ways. And the fire in her eyes inspires you when you are playing next to her. I thought in the first 20 minutes she took it on her shoulders to set the tone for us."

Hamm, who can dish it out just as well as she can score, currently leads the World Cup with four assists. She was on the front end of all three goals in the States' 3-1 victory over Sweden last Sunday. At 2-0-0, the U.S. is all but a sure bet to advance to the quarterfinals.

Heinrichs, Hamm's teammate on the U.S. squad that won the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991, said she continues to be impressed by Hamm.

"I have to tell you, her second half was a whole other level," said Heinrichs. "She continues to amaze me, in terms of her sophistication. I don't want to say that was a level that we didn't think she could play at because she has been so impressive over the years, but she continues to impress us."

The U.S. finishes out group play Sunday against North Korea in Columbus, Ohio.