Heather Mitts facts for kids
Mitts in May 2010
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Heather Mitts Feeley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Heather Blaine Mitts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | June 9, 1978 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cincinnati, Ohio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defender / Right back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1999 | Florida Gators | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Tampa Bay Extreme | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2003 | Philadelphia Charge | 51 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Central Florida Krush | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Boston Breakers | 19 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Philadelphia Independence | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Atlanta Beat | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Boston Breakers | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2012 | United States | 137 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heather Mitts Feeley (born Heather Blaine Mitts on June 9, 1978) is a former American professional soccer player. She was a talented defender. Heather played college soccer for the University of Florida. Later, she played professionally in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league for several teams. These included the Philadelphia Charge, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, and Atlanta Beat.
Heather Mitts is famous for winning three Olympic gold medals. She was also an important member of the U.S. women's national team. She played in four matches during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where her team finished second. Heather announced she was retiring from soccer on March 13, 2013.
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Early Life and School Soccer
Heather Mitts was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 9, 1978. She started playing soccer when she was six years old. From 1993 to 1996, she went to St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati. There, she played high school soccer. Her team had an amazing record of 70 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie.
In her first year, her team won the state championship. During her junior and senior years, Heather was recognized as one of the best players in the state.
Playing for the Florida Gators
Heather received a special scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She played for the Florida Gators women's soccer team from 1996 to 1999. The team was coached by Becky Burleigh. Heather was a key part of the defense that helped the Gators win their first-ever NCAA Women's Soccer Championship in 1998.
She was named an All-American player in 1998 and 1999. Heather set records for the Gators in how many games she played (95), how many games she started (94), and how many minutes she was on the field (7,547). She earned a degree in advertising in 2000. In 2013, she was honored by being added to the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.
Professional Soccer Career
Starting with Tampa Bay Extreme
After college, Heather Mitts played for the Tampa Bay Extreme in the W-League in 2000. She played there while waiting for a new professional league to start.
Playing for Philadelphia Charge
When the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) league began in 2001, Heather was chosen to play for the Philadelphia Charge. In the first season, she played in twenty games. She also helped her team score two goals. During her time with the Charge, Heather played in 51 games over three seasons. She was named a WUSA All-Star in 2003. Sadly, the WUSA league stopped playing after the 2003 season.
Brief Return to W-League
In 2005, Heather Mitts played a few games for the Central Florida Krush in the W-League. At this time, she was also spending time with the U.S. Women's National Team.
Years in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
When the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league started, Heather was assigned to the Boston Breakers in 2008. In the first WPS season in 2009, she played in 19 games. After that season, she became a free agent.
In October 2009, Heather signed with the Philadelphia Independence. This meant she was back playing professional soccer in Philadelphia. In January 2011, she signed with the Atlanta Beat. She played as a right defensive back for them during the 2011 season.
National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
In 2013, Heather was assigned to the Boston Breakers in the new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). However, she decided to retire from soccer before the season began.
International Career with Team USA
Heather Mitts played for the United States women's national soccer team in more than 100 international matches. She is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. She won gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
In May 2007, Heather had a serious knee injury while playing against Canada. This injury meant she could not play in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
In May 2011, Heather was chosen to be on the U.S. team for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. She was also on the U.S. team for the 2012 London Olympics. She played the entire game against Colombia during the group stage.
On March 13, 2013, Heather officially announced her retirement from both the national team and the Boston Breakers. She now works as a reporter for Philadelphia Union soccer games. She also helps promote the team as an ambassador.
Personal Life and Activities
Heather Mitts has worked as a television commentator for soccer. She was an analyst for ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 during the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. She also reported from the sidelines for several MLS games in 2005. In addition to soccer, she was a sideline reporter for American college football in 2005.
Heather Mitts married NFL quarterback A. J. Feeley in February 2010. They have three children: a son born in 2014, a daughter born in 2016, and another son born in 2018.
Heather also runs soccer camps across the United States each year. In these one-day camps, she teaches kids the basic skills of soccer. These skills include dribbling, juggling, foot-skills, passing, and receiving. The camps help children learn the fundamentals and grow their understanding of the sport.
Honors and Awards
- CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2008, 2012
- CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2006
- Olympic Gold Medal: 2004, 2008, 2012
See also
In Spanish: Heather Mitts para niños
- All-time Boston Breakers (WPS) roster
- List of multiple Olympic gold medalists in one event
- List of Olympic medalists in football
- List of University of Florida alumni
- List of University of Florida Olympians
- List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
