Tobin Heath, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, has officially announced her retirement from professional soccer—nearly three years after her final competitive appearance, capping off a remarkable career that helped define a generation of U.S. women’s soccer. The 37-year-old made the announcement on The RE-CAP Show, the podcast she co-hosts with former U.S. teammate and life partner Christen Press. Heath’s decision comes after a prolonged and strenuous battle with a left knee injury that required multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
Photo Cred: Team USA
“I think I had a few more mountains I wanted to climb with football, even though I’m really grateful for the career that I had,” Heath shared. “I get the question all the time, ‘So, are you coming back?’ and it’s kind of like—well, the writing’s on the wall.”
Long celebrated for her artistry and creativity on the field, Heath was widely considered one of the most technically skilled players in U.S. women’s soccer history. Her dribbling, flair, and instinctive style made her a fan favorite and a nightmare for defenders. Statistically, she was just as impactful—becoming one of only 25 U.S. players to tally over 50 combined goals and assists.
She also ranks among the top 20 in both caps and goals in program history, according to U.S. Soccer’s Amna Subhan. Her international résumé speaks volumes: FIFA Women’s World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and the honor of being named U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2016. Heath was not just a contributor—she was a cornerstone of U.S. dominance on the world stage for more than a decade.
“I’m a footballer through and through. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be,” she told Yahoo Sports’ Leander Schaerlaeckens.
Photo Cred: US Soccer
Heath’s club career was just as dynamic. In the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), she helped the Portland Thorns FC win two league championships and an NWSL Shield, before capturing another Shield with OL Reign in 2022. Her final professional appearance came in a 4–1 win over Gotham FC on August 14, 2022—a match that, unbeknownst to many, would be her last.
She also made waves overseas, representing powerhouse clubs in some of the most competitive leagues in the world. In Europe, Heath suited up for Paris Saint-Germain in France and later played in England’s Women’s Super League with both Manchester United and Arsenal—cementing her place as a world-class player at every level of the game.
Though she fought hard to return to the field, the physical toll eventually outweighed the dream.
“I had a personal journey back in January that led me to accept not playing anymore,” Heath shared in a candid interview with Yahoo Sports’ Malik Brown. “It was me grieving not being able to play soccer anymore. For me, that was the greatest gift that had ever been given to me—such a core part of my identity and how I express and know myself to be.”
Heath’s retirement marks the end of an era for the U.S. Women’s National Team. She now joins an iconic group of recently retired teammates—including Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Julie Ertz—who helped redefine women’s soccer, not just with their talent, but with their leadership, activism, and enduring cultural impact. Her love—fierce, joyful, and unwavering—carried her through to the very last match.
