Tobin Heath - The Magician

SOCCER - WINGER - USWNT -

FA SUPER LEAGUE - MANCHESTER UNITED

ARCHETYPE: THE MAGICIAN

Day 107/135

Athletic Accomplishments

Tobin Heath started playing soccer at age 4, and since then, she’s been one of the most exciting wingers to step on the pitch.

Growing up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Heath was a standout throughout her high school career, becoming a Parade All-American in 2005 and the No. 2 recruit of the class of 2006. After landing a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, she opted not to play with her high school team, deciding instead to train with the boys and prepare for a faster, more physical game at the collegiate level.

The challenge paid off, with Heath starting all but one game during her freshman year at UNC, and helping the team win both an ACC title and the NCAA Championship in 2006. As a sophomore, Heath was selected as First-Team All-ACC and First-Team All-American. By the end of her career at UNC, Heath had led the team to four consecutive ACC titles and three NCAA Championships (2006, 2008, 2009). She was also first runner-up for the Hermann Trophy, given to the nation’s best soccer player.

In 2008, Heath was pulled up to the senior national team, where she has become a fixture and a favorite on the front line for her footwork. Oh, her exquisite footwork. *chef’s kiss*

In 2010, Heath was the No. 1 overall pick for the Women’s Professional Soccer league draft (the predecessor to the NWSL). She has played for numerous teams, both domestically and in Europe, and has won two NWSL championships with her former club, the Portland Thorns.

With the U.S. Women’s National Team, Heath has won two Olympic gold medals and two World Cups. In 2016, she was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. In 2020, she was named to the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World 11, as one of the top 11 players in the world.

Heath is currently coming back from an injury, hoping to be back in top shape in time to make the roster for this summer’s Olympic Games.

Character Archetype: The Magician

You’ve never seen someone juke a defender quite like Tobin Heath. She’s the craftiest forward on the U.S. Women’s National Team, who can nutmeg even the most vigilant defenders, making everyone look silly. She’s creative with the ball, not just with her dazzling footwork, but in creating opportunities for herself and her teammates to score. What a gift.

In 2020, Heath and teammate Christen Press signed with Manchester United, playing in the FA Women’s Super League. The signing was huge news, and part of a larger trend of storied international clubs clamoring for U.S. women’s team talent like Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, and Rose Lavelle.

Other big news? When Heath and Press signed with Man U, their jersey sales exceeded any other player… not just on the women’s side, but on the men’s side too. As fans of women’s sports, you hear a LOT of arguments about so-called “lack of demand,” and how that drives decisions about coverage or marketability. But this? This flies right in the face of all that. Money talks. Give us more Tobin Heath!

It’s not a magic trick. It’s just that Heath is so talented, it’s literally spellbinding.