Soccer Legend Tobin Heath Hangs Up Her Boots After Glittering Two-World Cup Career

Ex-U.S. women's national soccer team standout Tobin Heath revealed her decision to retire from professional football during Thursday's episode of her podcast, The RE-CAP Show.

Heath, who captured Olympic gold twice (2008, '12) and claimed two FIFA Women's World Cup victories (2015, '19), is concluding her playing career three years following her final professional match with the NWSL's Seattle Reign in 2022. The 37-year-old athlete previously represented the Portland Thorns from 2013 through '19, securing two NWSL championships, and had a short period in England with Manchester United and Arsenal.

Heath's decision to retire was anticipated, given that the former elite midfielder has been recovering from a severe left knee injury sustained in 2021, which necessitated several surgical procedures and ultimately a cartilage replacement operation. Her final match representing the USWNT occurred in October '21.

Heath concludes her illustrious career recognized as one of the most skillful and explosive female soccer talents of the contemporary period. Heath accumulated 181 international appearances for the USWNT between 2008 and '22, recording 36 goals and contributing 42 assists. The legendary No. 17 also contributed to the national squad's silver medal achievement at the 2011 World Cup and bronze medal success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Following her departure from competitive soccer, Heath has launched a podcast alongside former teammate and current romantic partner Christen Press. She also recently achieved a milestone by becoming the sole female representative on FIFA's technical study group for this summer's men's Club World Cup.