LONDON (AP) – Returning to Old Trafford this week, Tobin Heath returned eight years to one of the craziest Olympic games ever played.
Heath remembers it as an epic. The United States has followed Canada three times. Three times the game tied through the Americans before Alex Morgan sealed his way to the final and a fourth Olympic title.
“It reminded me of a lot of memories and is such an iconic position for any footballer,” Heath said, recalling Monday at Manchester United Stadium.
Behind the two-time Olympic champion in this video call, there was even a Lego mock-up of the stadium she hoped to be assembled.
Heath hopes to play again soon at Old Trafford. The winger is luckier now that he has signed for Manchester United, the women’s Super League team not yet playing in the stadium that has hosted the men’s team for 110 years.
“The field has that iconic feeling, ” said Heath. “It’s almost elevated, as if it were almost a scene for the players. “
United did not even have a women’s team when the Olympic Games were held in the city of northern England in 2012, it was not reformed until 2018 after being dismantled thirteen years earlier. crossed with a win over Birmingham and a draw with champion Chelsea.
“It’s huge for a club like this to have a women’s team,” Heath said. “It is for clubs with all this tradition, history, power and influence. “
After seven years at the Portland Thorns, Heath, 32, is betting for the moment on an outdoor club in his home country after spending time at Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 and 2014.
The scenario is not yet familiar, there will be many well-known American faces who have enrolled in WSL groups in recent weeks. Christen Press, winner of the World Cup, also joined United. On the way from Manchester to City are Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis. Tottenham added Morgan last week.
“I love learning,” Heath said, “and I love developing and pushing myself, and at this point in my career, it’s a wonderful position to do it. “
Heath relied on recordings of English men’s matches to get his fix when he was young.
“I literally buy tapesArray games . . . to find out about the league and the players,” he said.
She became addicted to Arsenal, a team she will now play in the WSL.
“It will be another feeling, ” said Heath. ” It’s a little strange now. “
It is also strange for Heath that the November meeting with Arsenal takes place at Leigh Sports Village on the outskirts of Manchester than at Old Trafford.
“I had all the feeling when I got here,” he said, “and the dream of each and every footballer would be to play for Manchester United and play at Old Trafford. “
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