Los Angeles: Former U.S. women’s national team star Tobin Heath officially announced her retirement from professional soccer on Thursday, marking the end of a career that spanned more than a decade and included two World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals.
Heath, 37, revealed the decision during a special episode of The RE-CAP Show, a podcast she co-hosts with longtime teammate and partner Christen Press. “Over New Year’s, I actually came to the full acceptance that I wasn’t going to be playing,” Heath said during the episode, describing her retirement as “a very beautiful and personal experience.”
The midfielder had not played professionally since her last appearance with OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022. A left knee injury sustained in 2021 led to multiple surgeries and a long rehabilitation process. Heath said she had hoped to return but ultimately accepted she would not be able to compete again at the highest level.
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Widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted players in U.S. women’s soccer history, Heath made 181 international appearances between 2008 and 2021, scoring 36 goals and providing 42 assists. She was part of the U.S. teams that won FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019, Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Heath played domestically for the Portland Thorns from 2013 to 2019, winning two NWSL championships, and had stints in England with Manchester United and Arsenal. Her final appearance for the U.S. national team came in October 2021.
Since stepping away from the pitch, Heath has remained involved in the sport. Earlier this year, she joined FIFA’s technical study group for the men’s Club World Cup, becoming the only woman on the panel.
Heath’s retirement drew an outpouring of support from fans and fellow players on social media. Press shared a message on Instagram: “Happy official retirement @tobinheath.”
