Fun fact: During her first cap for the US Women’s National Team, Tobin Heath didn’t waste a second making an impact. Her very first touch on the ball saw her nutmeg not one but two Canadian defenders. Many might call it beginner’s luck, but the reality was far more than that—it was a glimpse of the sheer dominance that was to come: a career defined by breathtaking creativity and pure joy on the ball. So, it’s no surprise that her charm has mesmerized today’s USWNT generation, with players like Trinity Rodman replicating it in their own way.

Two World Cups. Stints at top-tier clubs, including Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal. Countless individual and team honors. Heath is more than just an inspiration for the next generation of women’s soccer. Seeing her nation’s rising stars’ passion for her, we can only wonder how her influence extends beyond the United States.

In collaboration with the NWSL, Yahoo Sports recently shared a small glimpse of an interview with star players Croix Bethune, Jaedyn Shaw, and Trinity Rodman. All three were asked to name a female athlete they looked up to as kids. Interestingly, all three had the same answer to give: Tobin Heath. In fact, the trio of USWNT starlets had some heartwarming words to share as a tribute.

“She’s cheeky. She’s got soccer IQ and talent,” described Bethune first, heaping praise on Heath’s style of play. Coincidentally, this was also one of the attributes that not just Jaedyn Shaw but even Trinity Rodman underscored. “She’s just super creative and was always herself on the field. I guess that inspired me to go and be comfortable in being myself, taking players on, being confident,” said Shaw.

The daughter of Dennis Rodman actually admires Heath’s playing style so much that she infuses her own style to stand out from the crowd. “I think she brought a lot of funk and just swag to soccer, which I thought was really cool,” said Trinity. “I would like to say I also bring that and I’ve watched so much film on her to kind of see that personality. So I’m glad that I can also kind of replicate that in my own way.”

Clearly, these three American superstars borderline worship Heath—not just for what she achieved throughout her career, but for the magic she created on the pitch painted a beautiful picture with her boots, if you will. As for the rest, her two NWSL Shields and Championships, two Olympic gold medals and one bronze, multiple CONCACAF Women’s Championship titles, and 181 appearances with 36 goals and 42 assists for the US are more than enough to solidify her status as one of the best.

But Heath possessed more than just trophies and skills. How about a quality that once moved her to tears?

Tobin Heath was a born leader

It’s not that she never did, but Tobin Heath was rarely seen wearing the captain’s armband. Honestly, she never needed one. This incident dates back to her time at Manchester United, where her girlfriend, Christen Press, was also playing. In a recent episode of the RE—INC podcast, co-hosted by the well-known couple, Press reflected on a moment when Heath was sidelined due to injury. To make things worse, the team was struggling on the field.

Dressed in a beanie and a large green puffer coat, Heath stormed into the locker room just as the players were gathering before their coach arrived. “You read us all the Riot Act; you had so much passion,” Press recalled. The Angel City star recalled Heath, tears streaming down her face, frustrated that she couldn’t play. She was upset that the team let their nerves take over instead of embracing the moment.

Press even shared the reaction of her fellow British teammates, who were visibly taken aback, reacting with surprise. “That was the way that you lead with your heart,” emphasized the 36-year-old. Imagine being benched and unable to play, yet helplessly watching your team let their nerves get the best of them. But instead, you channel that passion into inspiring your teammates with powerful words and raw emotion. That’s exactly what Tobin Heath did.

No wonder Christen Press sees her significant other “founder as an athlete,” let alone the likes of Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, or Croix Bethune considering her their idol.