Former U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) great and New Jersey native Tobin Heath’s time in the sport of soccer has come to a close. The 37-year-old midfielder announced Thursday that she will be retiring from the sport, one that she left a remarkable impact on.
No matter which level she was playing at, Heath was a player fans adored greatly. During her professional career, Heath suited up for clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) including notably Portland Thorns FC and Seattle Reign FC. Heath also played locally for Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and the New York Fury of the WPSL Elite League.
Her time in the NWSL was filled with trophies and accolades that proved she was one of the best players in the league. She won two NWSL Championships in 2013 and 2017 with Portland, was named to the NWSL Best XI three times, and also earned two NWSL Shields.
However, her time professionally will be best remembered for what she did with the national team. Heath was a part of a USWNT squad that dominated their competition and inspired many with their work on and off the pitch. During her time with the squad, Heath was a big piece of a team that won the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups.
In addition to winning soccer’s greatest prize, Heath also helped the U.S. win Olympic Gold in 2008 and 2012 respectively. Much of her contribution to the national squad allowed her to earn U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year in 2016. In her 181 appearances with the team, Heath racked up 36 goals and 42 assists for her country.
The announcement of her retirement comes a few years after she last appeared on the field with Seattle Reign FC in 2022. Her last appearance in the NWSL was August 14, 2022 in a victory over Gotham FC.
Much of the reason why the USWNT great retired was due to a left knee injury she had been facing the past few years. Following multiple surgeries on the knee, Heath continued to face challenges with it during her time in England with Manchester United and Arsenal.
Reflecting on her podcast ‘The RE-CAP Show’ on Thursday with former USWNT member and wife Christen Press, Heath was emotional about her retirement. She touched upon her time growing up in New Jersey and how that shaped her incredible career.
“I feel so grateful because like at four years old I kicked a soccer ball and it’s like this magic happened where it was like that’s what I knew I was supposed to be doing.”
Born in Morristown and growing up in Basking Ridge, Heath was one of the state’s most talented players in the 2000s. From becoming a high school All-American to the No. 2 recruit in the nation in 2006, Heath committed to powerhouse North Carolina for college. While there, she won three national championships, four straight ACC titles, and was the runner-up for the MAC Hermann Trophy her senior season.
Even with her playing days concluded, Heath left a mark on the sport and will be remembered for her great play for years to follow.
