Introduction
In the landscape of women’s soccer, few pairs have captured public attention like Christen Press and Tobin Heath. Individually, both have had stellar careers with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and in professional leagues around the world. Together, their story is one of shared passion, mutual support, and now transition to life beyond the pitch.
This article delves deep into their early lives, parents, ethnic backgrounds, career arcs, decisions to retire, and their relationship—now officially as spouses. Whether you’re a soccer fan or someone interested in their personal journeys, this comprehensive profile offers fresh insight.
Early Lives & Family Backgrounds
Christen Press: Roots and Upbringing
Birth and Family
Christen Annemarie Press was born on December 29, 1988, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Palos Verdes Estates, a coastal suburb in Southern California, alongside her sisters Channing and Tyler.
Her parents, Cody Press and Stacy Press, played significant roles in shaping her athletic mindset. Her father, Cody, competed in American football at Dartmouth College. Her mother, Stacy, was a talented tennis player.
From a young age, Christen’s parents encouraged sports. Her father would sometimes meticulously clean and prep her cleats after youth matches, instilling a sense of ritual and pride in the process.
Tragically, her mother Stacy passed away in January 2019 from complications of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Her passing deeply impacted Christen and became part of her narrative of perseverance.
Youth and Education
In high school, at Chadwick School, Christen was a standout: she scored 128 goals over her high school career, earned multiple All-American honors, and broke school records. She also lettered in track and tennis, demonstrating broad athletic talent.
She went on to play collegiate soccer at Stanford University, where she left her mark, and later entered the professional and national stages.
Tobin Heath: Origins and Family
Birth and Family
Tobin Powell Heath was born on May 29, 1988, in Morristown, New Jersey. She grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Her parents are Jeff Heath and Cindy Heath. She has multiple siblings: a younger brother, Jeffrey, and older sisters, Perry and Katie, who have been active in faith-based community groups like Athletes in Action and Champions for Christ.
From early childhood, Tobin was immersed in sports. She started playing soccer as young as four years old, often in simple neighborhood settings (for example, at the back of a YMCA). She also played tennis and other sports, emphasizing multi-sport development in her youth.
Her family is devoutly Christian, and Tobin has spoken publicly about how faith, family, and sport intertwined in her identity growing up.
Education and Youth Soccer
At Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, Tobin played for three years and achieved All-America recognition (Parade Magazine) in 2005. In club soccer, she was associated with the PDA Wildcats, and her youth performances helped propel her toward higher competitive levels.
She went on to play college soccer at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she flourished in a top NCAA program.
Ethnicity, Identity & Representation
Christen Press: Ethnicity and Cultural Identity
Christen Press has described herself as multiracial, acknowledging her heritage and the dual nature of her background. The precise breakdown of her ancestry is not frequently spelled out in public sources, but she has spoken about being a “woman of color” in soccer and the importance of representation.
In commentary and in interviews, she has emphasized diversity, inclusion, and the visibility of Black athletes in U.S. women’s soccer. She has pointed out how youth with different ethnic and racial backgrounds should see themselves reflected in elite teams.
Her identity as a biracial or multiracial athlete has shaped much of her advocacy work. She recognizes that systemic barriers exist for underrepresented players and has used her platform to advocate for equitable access and opportunity.
Tobin Heath: Ethnicity and Self-Representation
Tobin Heath’s public profiles and interviews generally emphasize her identity as a white American. There is no indication in mainstream sources that she emphasizes a multiethnic heritage or identifies with minority communities in the same way Press does. (No credible sources suggest otherwise.)
Her identity is often expressed through her athletic achievements, faith, and advocacy, rather than through a specific racial or ethnic narrative in public commentary.
Together, Press and Heath represent a modern reflection of intersectional identities: one partner openly navigating issues of race and diversity, the other equally invested in shared values of equality, inclusion, and community.
Soccer Careers: Highs, Challenges, Legacy
Christen Press: Career Timeline & Highlights
Professional Beginnings & Club Career
Christen Press’s professional journey began in 2011 in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league with the team magicJack. After that league folded, she moved to Europe, playing in Sweden (Göteborg FC, Tyresö FF) and becoming one of the top scorers in Damallsvenskan (Swedish league).
She eventually returned to the U.S., joining the Chicago Red Stars (NWSL), and later played for Utah Royals FC.
In 2020, Press made the move to England, signing with Manchester United in the Women’s Super League. After her time in England, she signed with Angel City FC (Los Angeles) in 2022, becoming a marquee signing for the expansion club.
Her club journey was not without setbacks: she suffered a serious ACL injury in June 2022, which required multiple surgeries and sidelined her for over two years. She began to return to form in 2024.
International Career & Impact
Press made her debut for the U.S. national team in February 2013. From 2013 to 2021, she earned 155 caps and scored 64 goals, ranking her ninth all-time in U.S. women’s soccer goalscorers.
Her contributions helped the U.S. win two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015 and 2019) and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics (2020, held in 2021).
Press was known for her speed, technical ability, positional flexibility (she could play centrally or on wings), and clinical finishing.
Advocacy & Off-Pitch Ventures
Off the pitch, Press has been active in advocacy. She has worked with Grassroot Soccer, an organization using soccer to promote adolescent health education. She first joined as a Global Ambassador and later joined its Board of Directors.
She has also been public about her mental health, using her platform to reduce stigma in sports.
Tobin Heath: Career Highlights & Contributions
Club Career & Domestic Success
Tobin Heath’s club career spans many teams and success in multiple leagues. She played for the Portland Thorns (NWSL), among other clubs, and was part of national and international ventures.
She earned multiple NWSL titles and was recognized as one of the top midfielders in U.S. women’s soccer.
International Career & Accolades
Heath’s debut for the U.S. national team came in 2008, and over her career she earned 181 caps and scored around 36 goals.
Her international highlights include multiple FIFA Women’s World Cup championships (2015 and 2019) and Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012), and she also earned other medals in subsequent Olympics.
Heath was widely praised for her composure, vision, dribbling, creativity, and influence in tight games. She was often the fulcrum in the attacking midfield.
Challenges & Injuries
Like many elite athletes, Heath faced injury struggles—especially with her knees. These issues eventually contributed to her decision to retire in mid-2025.
Legacy & Off-Field Influence
Beyond her playing days, Heath co-founded RE—INC, a gender-neutral brand of fashion and creative goods, in 2019 together with Press, Megan Rapinoe, and Meghan Klingenberg.
She and Press also co-host The RE-CAP Show, a podcast through which they discuss sports, culture, identity, and life.
Retirement: The Decision & Its Impact
Tobin Heath’s Retirement
In July 2025, Tobin Heath officially announced her retirement from professional soccer after a long absence owing to injuries. She confirmed the news via her RE-CAP Show podcast.
Her decision came after extended rehabilitation and reflection. While many fans hoped for a comeback, machines of wear and tear take a toll, especially for players whose game relies on agility and fitness. Her retirement marked the end of an era in U.S. women’s soccer.
Heath’s exit also had emotional resonance: she and Press are closely tied, and her decision influenced Press’s own timing.
Christen Press’s Retirement
On October 15, 2025, Christen Press announced she would retire at the end of the 2025 NWSL season. In her announcement on Good Morning America, she spoke openly about the mix of emotions—joy, relief, fear, grief—and how the decision was deeply personal.
Press said she originally thought she might wait until she “didn’t want to play anymore,” but realized that waiting indefinitely could leave the decision to fate.
She also acknowledged that Heath’s earlier retirement influenced her decision:
“She would absolutely hate me saying this, but a lot. I think it is time for my family to move on to our next chapter.”
Press concludes a decorated career: 155 caps, 64 goals, two World Cups, and a Bronze Olympic medal.
In leaving, Press plans to shift her focus to media ventures, their joint initiatives, and continuing their shared advocacy.
Legacy and Future
The timing of their retirements—Heath earlier in 2025, Press following mid-season—marks a transition not just for them, but for women’s soccer in the U.S. Their on-field legacies will endure, but the next chapters—media, business, mentorship—may prove equally influential.
Relationship Journey: From Teammates to Spouses
When Their Paths Crossed
Christen Press and Tobin Heath were teammates on the U.S. women’s national team and for a time at Manchester United. Their relationship, however, wasn’t made public immediately.
Rumors swirled for years, but in July 2024 they confirmed they had been in a relationship for eight years in an appearance on the Watch with Alex Cooper show.
Press described their relationship as magnetic from the start:
“Tobin and I were not really friends. We weren’t really running in the same circles. And then as soon as I actually got to know her, there was just, like, a magnetism.”
It later emerged that in 2025, they quietly formalized their union, becoming legal spouses. Press’s manager, family, and inner circle were among the few aware beforehand.
Collaboration & Shared Ventures
The couple have built a life that intertwines personal, professional, and advocacy interests.
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RE—INC: In 2019, Press, Heath, Rapinoe, and Meghan Klingenberg founded the gender-neutral lifestyle brand.
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The RE-CAP Show: Their podcast offers a candid behind-the-scenes look at their lives, conversations about identity, sport, relationships, mental health, and more.
In interviews, they have described how their relationship was once kept private for personal and professional reasons, but in recent years they’ve embraced visibility and transparency in their partnership.
Their dynamic is often described as collaborative: roommates, co-CEOs, co-hosts, and now spouses.
Symbolism & Impact
Their relationship carries symbolic weight in sports. As a same-sex couple in women’s professional soccer, they have contributed to greater visibility for LGBTQ+ athletes, fostering dialogue and acceptance in athletic spaces that have historically stigmatized such identities.
They are often referred to by fans with the blended nickname “Preath,” highlighting their joint identity as a couple in the sport.
Moreover, by embedding their advocacy in their brand and media spaces, they continue to influence how athletes connect with culture, community, and inclusion.
Key Takeaways & Their Lasting Influence
Athletic Legacy & Records
Between them, Press and Heath symbolize a golden era of U.S. women’s soccer. Their individual statistics—Press’s 155 caps and 64 goals, Heath’s 181 caps and numerous contributions—stand as testament to longevity and excellence.
They both earned multiple World Cup titles, Olympic medals, and domestic championships. Their playing styles—Press with attacking dynamism and finishing, Heath with creativity and midfield mastery—complemented their national team and club successes.
Contributions Beyond the Pitch
Their influence extends far beyond results on the field:
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Advocacy for diversity, mental health, and social justice
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Building platforms (RE—INC, RE-CAP Show) that merge cultural commentary and athlete perspective
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Serving as role models for LGBTQ+ visibility and authentic identity in sport
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Inspiring next generations to see athletes not merely as competitors but as multifaceted human beings
Transition to New Chapters
With both retiring in the same general period, Press and Heath pivot to new focuses—media, business, mentoring, commentary. Their bond is likely to grow in these new roles, as they lean on shared values and vision to guide what comes next.
Their exit from active play is bittersweet for fans, but their contributions set a foundation for the next wave of soccer talent—many of whom will cite Press and Heath not just for goals and assists, but for representation, courage, and creativity.
