Tobin Heath Enters National Soccer Hall of Fame After Stellar Career

“I never played to be famous or for people to care about me. I just played because I loved it.” Heath said upon announcing her retirement.

Hailing from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Heath enjoyed a fruitful international career, having earned 181 appearances for the US. She finished her career with 36 goals and 42 assists.

Playing as a forward and attacking midfielder, Heath lifted two World Cup trophies in 2015 and 2019, and expanded her trophy cabinet with two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, followed by a bronze in 2021.

Growing up, Heath became a huge fan of the Arsenal team we all witnessed under legendary coach Arsene Wenger. The 1998 title she witnessed the Gunners win made her put up posters of Arsenal standouts Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry on her bedroom walls.

The 37-year-old’s childhood dream came true when she signed for Arsenal in the 2021-22 season. She had a total of 18 appearances for the club, putting three shots at the back of the net.

Heath fulfilled another childhood wish of hers with the national team this time around. In her 13-year stint, she recalled her 2015 World Cup Final goal as the highlight of her time with the national team.

While bidding goodbye is hard, Heath did it with grace alongside a star-studded cast of equally deserving individuals.

Who Joined Alongside Tobin Heath at the National Soccer Hall of Fame?

Apart from Heath, the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Friday night inducted Kevin Crow, Heather O’Reilly, Tony Sanneh, Kari Seitz, and Chris Wondolowski, in ceremonies at Toyota Stadium.

Heather O’Reilly, another USWNT legend, was also teammates with Heath. O’Reilly played 231 full internationals between 2002 and 2016, scoring 47 goals.

She won the World Cup in 2015 and Olympic medals in 2004 (gold), 2008 (gold), and 2012 (gold).

Seitz, a former U.S. soccer referee, was one of the biggest icons of the USWNT, earning induction along with two other icons of the sport.

She was a FIFA international referee from 1999-2013 and the only official in the world to officiate at four FIFA World Cups (men’s or women’s), including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.

As we say farewell to these bona fide legends who made a mark on women’s soccer for good, who do you think from the next generation is going to step up to fill their shoes?

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