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Tobin Heath Retires- USWNT Star Makes Heartbreaking Confession
Getty Images - Brad Smith/ISI Photos

Tobin Heath announced on her retirement from soccer on her podcast, the RE-CAP Show. Heath is a two-time USWNT Olympic gold medalist and a two-time Women's World Cup champion. 

She made 181 caps for the USWNT and played for 11 clubs during her senior career.  Her last team was with OL Reign in the NWSL, who are now known as Seattle Reign FC. Her contract was not renewed and has been a free agent since late 2022.

Heath played in three World Cups and played two Olympic games with the USWNT. She played for women clubs in Europe like Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as PSG. 

The news has led to many USWNT fans thanking her for her inspiring career that led to success for women soccer in the U.S. Heath is among one of the greatest USWNT players of all time.

Why is Tobin Heath retiring?

Currently 37 years old, Heath has been dealing with a long term knee injury that has kept her out of action since September 2022. Heath started facing tough injuries like a back and ankle injury in 2017 that made her miss multiple games for club and country.

After nearly three years as a free agent, Heath explained that retirement was a herd decision to make as the knee injury has kept her sidelined for so long.  

The Athletic reports that the injury required multiple surgeries and the player was not fit to play professional soccer again. Heath revealed a heartbreaking confession in regards to her decision to retire from soccer. 

Tobin Heath's Heartbreaking Confession

During the Re-Cap show, Heath told c-host and girlfriend Christen Press her injury came from a training session and did think much of it at first. She received a scan on her swollen knee and received a phone call from the doctor who said he had a career-ending' injury.

Heath refused to believe that she would need to retire after the knee injury and fought hard to return. Unable to return to the pitch, Heath felt not coming back was a way of giving up. 

Heath never believed that the 2019 Women's World Cup would be her last. She was happy to end her World Cup journey with a second trophy with the USWNT along with her partner, who have been together for nine years.

Since she was four years, Heath fell in love with soccer and mentions to always being obsessed with the sport. Thats what made it hard her for to accept retirement. 

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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