Tobin Heath: The Legacy, the Icon, the History, the Player
Game Changer. Ankle Breaker. Household Name. Role Model. Goal Scorer.
These are just a few words that describe the legend and player that Tobin Heath was. The 37-year-old forward and winger announced her retirement in July 2025 on her podcast ‘The Re-Cap Show’ alongside longtime girlfriend, former teammate and podcast host Christen Press.
On Wednesday 7 March the USA will play against Columbia at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey. Heath will be celebrated ahead of kick off for an incredible international career with the USWNT. This will be a special moment shared with the fans in her hometown of New Jersey, and a reflection of the vast impact she has had on US Soccer and generations of women and girls who followed her journey.
Her Legacy
Tobin Heath has had a tremendous impact on women’s football/soccer on the field but also off. Her style of play can be seen in the new generation of players such as Ally Sentnor and Alyssa Thompson. She was also the leading figure in the equal pay fight and is one of the founders of RE-INC, a company that aspires to play sports in an inclusive space for everyone. In her post-professional career, she continued to break down gender barriers as she became the first woman to work with FIFA’s technical study group, which is currently analysing the men’s club World Cup.
Her calm demeanour and extraordinary intelligence will be missed on the pitch, but her legacy will live on, and she will continue to thrive off the pitch, and her work will last for generations.
Why is she retiring?
At 37 years old, Heath had been rehabbing a long-term knee injury, which left her sidelined since September 2022. Then her contract with what was OL Reign, now known as Seattle Reign, wasn’t renewed. This left her as a free agent, which she had been for the last 3 years ahead of her retirement, which she spent trying to get back to fitness.
The decision came in July 2025 to hang her USWNT boots up. Now, it has been announced she will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on May 1 2026, as a credit to the memories she created on the pitch, and inspirational work off the field.
International Career
Heath made her USA Women’s National Team debut in January of 2008 against Finland and then made it to the Beijing Olympics, where she and the team won gold. She then went on to win three FIFA Women’s World Cups, winning back-to-back in 2015 and 2019. Alongside collecting another Olympic gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Her international career with the USA lasted from 2008 to 2021. In 13 years, she made 181 appearances, scoring 36 goals and providing 42 assists. To make this more impressive, if you take out the seasons which were lost due to being unable to play, she did this in 11 years, due to her ankle injury and illness.
Club Career
During her 18-year career, she has called 11 clubs’ home and three different countries. From Portland thorns to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Manchester united to Arsenal. All world-class clubs are suitable for a world-class player.
Although one club sticks out the most, her love for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL, having spent 7 seasons with the club. Scoring 12 goals in 70 games and assisting 25 goals. She also spent some time competing in the English League, the WSL, with Arsenal and Manchester United, but her time was cut short at both clubs due to injury. She also had a brief stint in France with PSG.
Although her career kicked off with the University of North Carolina, the Tar Heels, she became a three-time champion with them. This led to her becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft.
Overall, Tobin Heath is a household name that will be remembered and spoken about for years to come due to her player ability and her contributions to the game on and off the pitch. Now, she will be honoured in front of the fans in her hometown and experience the send-off from international soccer that she deserves.
Had she not suffered significantly with an ACL injury in 2022, perhaps her career could have been extended. But this takes nothing away from the legacy she leaves behind.