Tobin Heath, an integral part of the U.S. women’s national team’s championship-winning squads in the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cups, formally declared her departure from professional soccer on Thursday, signifying the conclusion of an illustrious career.
Heath’s concluding match occurred in August 2022 with the Seattle Reign, who achieved a 4-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage on that occasion. Meanwhile, her concluding appearance for the national team took place in a friendly match against South Korea in October 2021, resulting in a win. The 37-year-old athlete spent the concluding years of her career grappling with a significant left knee injury, ultimately preventing her from making a comeback.
“Around the New Year period, I fully embraced the reality that I would not be returning to play, a process of acceptance that spanned two, possibly three, years,” Heath conveyed during Thursday’s episode of The RE-CAP Show, a podcast she co-hosts with her former USWNT teammate and partner Christen Press. “I exhausted every possible avenue to facilitate my return, investing tens of thousands of dollars and undergoing two surgical procedures, including one particularly complex surgery. Throughout this, I maintained the belief that I would recover. While the indications were evident, I believe I struggled to accept that this marked the end of my journey.”
Heath stood out as one of the most influential players of her era, amassing 181 appearances for the USWNT. She secured victory in the World Cup and claimed Olympic gold on two occasions, in addition to receiving the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year award in 2016. Heath is one of only four USWNT players to have participated in three World Cup finals, encompassing the 2011 final where the U.S. was defeated by Japan in a penalty shootout. Her achievements extended to the club level, where she clinched two NWSL Championships with the Portland Thorns and two NWSL Shields, one with the Thorns and the other with the Reign. Her club career also featured periods with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Moreover, Heath was undeniably among the most technically proficient players within the USWNT. During her prime, she was a captivating star, consistently contributing goals and assists while delivering highlight-reel moments. Her contributions included 36 goals and 42 assists for the national team, including a goal in the 2015 World Cup final in Vancouver, where the USWNT secured a 5-2 victory over Japan.
In recent years, Heath has undertaken various roles beyond the playing field. In addition to co-hosting her podcast with Press, she serves as the sole woman on FIFA’s technical study group for the men’s Club World Cup, which is set to conclude on Sunday.
