PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC midfielder Tobin Heath has been voted the 2016 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, it was announced today.
Heath, 28, wins the award for the first time in her ninth year with the U.S. Women’s National Team and in her fourth season with Thorns FC. She claimed the award after earning 40 percent of the vote.
The Basking Ridge, N.J., native caps off a stellar 2016 for club and country where she was named to her first NWSL Best XI after recording a goal and setting a new league record for assists (10) in 14 matches (13 starts) during the 2016 regular season, while leading the club to its first-ever NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record. Heath was instrumental in all offensive aspects for the club, as she led the team in assists, shots on goal (18) and corner kicks taken (61). She was named the NWSL Player of the Month for the month of April and also picked up NWSL Player of the Week honors for Week 6.
In 22 games with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2016, Heath tallied career bests in goals scored (6) and assists (8), while recording the second-most minutes (1,747) on the team. Heath competed in her fifth world championship for the USA in the 2016 Olympic Games, where she recorded two assists in three matches started.
The U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year has been awarded since 1985, when midfielder Sharon Remer earned the first Female Athlete of the Year honor. Votes are collected from respective National Team coaches, National Team players who have earned a cap in 2016, American soccer league (MLS, NASL and NWSL) head coaches, select media members, former players and administrators.
