USWNT legend hints at stunning return to the team after TWO YEARS away
United States women’s national soccer team legend Tobin Heath has not ruled out a return to the sport’s international stage and four-time World Cup champion in the near future.
Heath has not played for club or country since 2022 and has been struggling with a cartilage problem that has required two operations. Her last appearance for the national team took place in October 2021.
Heath, now 36, was an integral member of the 2015 and 2019 teams that won back-to-back World Cups.
Much has changed at the national team since the successes under Jill Ellis, with Vlatko Andonovski leading the USWNT to a round of 16 finish at last year’s World Cup.
With Emma Hayes in charge and looking to return the American women to the global mountaintop, nothing is off the table, including the reintroduction of Heath, despite a deep talent pool of younger players.
Tobin Heath has not played for the American women since 2021 and that could change quickly
“I haven’t been public about it, but I can say that I am actively healing and trying to return to the football field,” she told The Associated Press. ‘I haven’t ruled it out, to say the least. . But I am certainly working on my own recovery journey.’
“I think for the first time in a few years, there’s a lot of excitement and hope around this team, which kind of felt like they were a little loose, you know?” Heather continued.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting time, with Emma being the kind of leadership figure that this young group needs, and we can all be very hopeful,” Heath said.
“And with an Olympics, that in itself is always a funny tournament, I think anything is possible,” Heath added.
In her time off the field, Heath has been busy with a podcast co-hosted by fellow USWNT veteran Christen Press.
Heath plays for Angel City in the NWSL and returned to training this month with the hope of returning to action for her club soon.
Heath has 155 caps for the USWNT and has scored 64 goals.