Thorns FC midfielder Tobin Heath, fresh from a brief break from the U.S. Women’s National Team, reported back to camp this week in New York for the USWNT media day and to begin preparations for Saturday’s friendly against South Korea (1:30pm PT, ESPN).
In our exclusive weekly World Cup Dispatch, Heath talks about what she did in her time away, how roles are being defined on the team ahead of next week’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, the new FIFA 16 video game and her plans for her birthday.
Brian Costello:
Let’s start at the beginning. You had some time off last week. What did you do? Where’d you go?
Tobin Heath:
“I spent that time in New Jersey with my family, which was awesome. And fortunately for me, it kind of cut out a lot of travel because I didn’t have to go one place and then come to Jersey for the games that we have here in New York, which was nice. But just had some quality time with my family and then I did my “She Believes” campaign at the club I grew up at, Player Development Academy (PDA). So overall it was just a good time. I was able to work out, but also just relax.”
BC:
“She Believes” is a cool initiative encouraging USWNT’ers to give back at organizations all over the country, especially to young fans. How was it for you at PDA?
TH:
“It was awesome. For me it was a blast going back to my club, but it’s not really something unusual because every time I’m home I’m back there training or just saying hi to my old coaches and stuff. And all those guys are still there, so it was kind of like a welcome home. And I was able to see some girls that I haven’t seen in a while that have just grown up, which is crazy. So overall, it was really positive and I was able to do it with my good friend and teammate Heather O’Reilly. We kind of took the same path to the national team, so just being able to share that moment and impart some wisdom and guidance to the younger generation was really special.”
BC:
You mentioned going back to your roots with your youth club, obviously going home and seeing family. How important is it to get that time away for you, especially ahead of this incredibly big tournament?
TH:
“I think it’s really important. At this point, our mind never really turns off about what’s coming up next. So I think as much as you’re having a good time with your family and stuff, in the back of your mind you’re just really thinking about Canada and being there. But to just give your body a little bit of a break, and to kind of turn it down a little bit and then get ready mentally, physically, everything that you need. Get all that encouragement and love from your family so that when you get up there, that’s all your thinking about, is just being successful with the team.”
BC:
And get some good home cooking, so to speak.
TH:
“Right, exactly. I think, being spoiled, I think that’s the best preparation from family in the World Cup.” [Laughs.]
BC:
You’ve got one more game this weekend, before the World Cup. What are you hoping to really accomplish with that match?
TH:
“Well, first of all I hope I get some playing time. I think I’m at the point now where I would love to get on the field and have some minutes and be able to feel comfortable and confident going into the tournament.
It’s only one game, so there’s a lot of things that we want to work on and get right so that we feel we have the highest confidence then, going into Canada. Fortunately we’re playing South Korea, which is another World Cup opponent, so you know that they’re going to be really sharp and focused on the same things we are. And just being able to play in New York in front of what’s going to be a sellout crowd, it will be fantastic for us, because that’s the type of environment we’re going to see in Canada. So just having all those pieces come together, and for me personally, I just hope I get some playing time in order to feel good and comfortable out there.”
BC:
Do you feel that the roles are becoming sharper for each person on the team and that everybody knows sort of what’s expected of them at this point?
TH:
“Yeah, definitely. I think the roles have become pretty obvious, but also this is a very long tournament, and it’s a tournament that you know anything can happen. So everybody, I think, is very clear on their roles and has accepted their roles and treats their roles very seriously, whatever they may be.
But you also have to be ready for the unexpected and you have to realize this is a long tournament and we’re going to need each player. So in that way, everybody does not have to necessarily just think about themselves, but about the team as a whole and what’s going to be needed of them in order to make us the best team possible.”
BC:
EA Sports announced today that FIFA 16 will have 12 national teams included in it for next fall. Obviously the U.S. team is going to be in it—
TH:
“Yeah, very cool.”
BC:
How cool is that? What’s your reaction to something like that?
TH:
“Yeah, we’ve known about this for a while now because we were asked to participate in it a while back. So we’re thrilled about it. I mean, any time that we can get more exposure as the best teams, and then as women’s soccer globally, it’s awesome. And I know a bunch of my friends that play FIFA would love to play with the girls players and see what that’s like. I think it’s just a fun additional thing that we’ve got going on, and just shows how much women’s soccer in general is growing globally, and how we’re just starting to influence the marketplace in a pretty significant way.”
BC:
How were you involved in it?
TH:
“[The whole USWNT] all got what was the 3D, I guess, picture scans taken of us.”
And we were actually one of the only full national teams, including men, that had this done. I think there was a few club teams like Barcelona and maybe Manchester United and stuff like that, but it was pretty cool that we were one of the only like full national teams to get all of our heads 3D scanned, so that was awesome.”
BC:
Have you gotten to see your video game avatar?
TH:
“No, I haven’t. I’m curious to see what it looks like.”
BC:
Are you looking forward to playing as you at some point?
TH:
“I’m not a big FIFA player, to be honest, but I would be interested to see how someone does playing as me. I hope it’s a good representation.”
BC:
Tomorrow, if I’m not mistaken, is your birthday.
TH:
“Oh, yeah. Thanks for the reminder.”
BC:
Happy birthday. [laughter] So are you telling me you’re so into the zone you didn’t know tomorrow was your birthday?
TH:
“Yeah, to be honest I knew it was coming up, but that’s helpful that you reminded me.” [Laughs.]
BC:
Well, let me among the first to wish you happy birthday then.
TH:
“Thank you.”
BC:
Because my last question was going to be, do you have any exciting birthday plans? But now I don’t know. I guess it’s not such—
TH:
“I do have plans, but it’s going to be after the game just because we’re pretty crazy with our preparations right now, leading into the game. So following the game, I have a bunch of family and friends coming to the game, we’re going to get together afterwards and have a little bit of a birthday party, which will be awesome.”
BC:
Again, nice to be playing so close to home.
TH:
“Oh, it’s amazing. I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday, that’s for sure.”
