Good News: You'll Be Seeing A Lot More of Heather Mitts in Philadelphia

Longtime Philadelphia sports fans and soccer heads alike are surely familiar with Heather Mitts. The former know her first as the wife of former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley while the latter know her for scoring goals and winning gold medals on the pitch for the U.S. National Team. Mitts will be joining the Union's television broadcasts as a pregame and sideline reporter this season. She'll also have a role as a soccer ambassador. Mitts recently hung up her cleats after suiting up in 137 matches for the United States. You can read a pretty touching retirement message she posted on her Facebook page yesterday right here. The Union announced her next move on their website this evening. “I'm very excited about my involvement and position with the Philadelphia Union,” said Mitts. “I can't wait to be on the sidelines, reporting at the game this weekend against the New England Revolution and am eager to be an ambassador for the club as well. I really enjoy Nick Sakiewicz’s philosophy and together we look forward to helping the game grow here in the Philadelphia area.” We've certainly mentioned her plenty in the past here on the Level. She was ESPN Page2's hottest female athlete a couple years back. She looked lovely on her and A.J.'s wedding day in Mexico back in 2010. She was also honored at halftime of an Eagles game back in 2008 while rocking her gold medal. Mar 14, 2013 9:04pm By Enrico Campitelli Jr. The700Level.com USA Today Sports photo

Heather Announces Retirement

The time has come for me to move onto a new stage of my career. I truly appreciate the women who paved the way, to my friends and dear teammates that I will never forget. I will miss the little things… the travel by plane, train and mini van, the locker room moments, keeping my teammates on their toes and nothing will ever compare to putting on that US jersey. It’s been an amazing journey with some obstacles but in the very end I feel so fortunate that we were able to close on a golden note. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. It's a game but it's something we all love to do. I will miss the comradery more than anything & the chance to compete everyday to be the best in the world. My teammates were my bridesmaids, confidants, source of inspiration & family and always made me look good on the field. Soccer has given me so many opportunities & has been a positive & humbling teacher. I feel completely fulfilled and its that perfect time to move on. I leave with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart. I will continue to stay close to the sport as I will be working as a sideline analyst & ambassador for the Philadelphia Union while taking part in other soccer related projects. I also look forward to starting a family and becoming an ultimate soccer mom. A special thanks to Ohio ODP, my numerous club teams, St. Ursula Academy and the University of Florida. To Becky Burleigh, Vic Campbell & Mark Kirkorian for preparing me to reach the next level & James Galanis for helping me reach my full potential. April Heinrich, Greg Ryan, Pia Sundage & Tom Sermanni for giving me an opportunity to play for the best team in the world. Thanks to the numerous trainers & supporting staff over the years. Omi Iwasaki for helping me come back from my ACL. My sponsors TRX, Polk, GNC and especially Under Armour who has let me protect the house since 2004. My agent, Dan Levy and most of all my loving parents, supportive extended family and wonderful husband. Its amazing how 28 years of playing a sport I love and always will, can fly by. From my first cap til now, the growth of the sport has been profound. I look forward to the launch & success of the NWSL, and rooting on my Boston Breakers. Old ladies club of Christie Rampone & Shannon Boxx keep the flame alive! I leave with so much gratitude to US Soccer for allowing us the right to play for our country. Lastly the fans. Your constant love and support for the sport and this team is among the best in the world. I look forward to joining you to cheer on this amazing team. "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Thanks to all the people who have made this dream possible.

Reverse the Curse: Boston Breakers and Women's Soccer Make a Comeback

Reverse the Curse: Boston Breakers and Women's Soccer Make a Comeback

NWSL Teams Given More Time to Sign Free Agents

NWSL Teams Given More Time to Sign Free Agents

Hamilton's Sophie Piscitelli meets U.S. Olympian Heather Mitts

Hamilton's Sophie Piscitelli meets U.S. Olympian Heather Mitts

Sports Injury Prevention Program, Sponsored By DePuy Mitek, Comes To Tampa With Soccer Star Heather Mitts (via PR Newswire)

RAYNHAM, Mass., Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As an official sports medicine sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, DePuy Mitek has launched a national Sports Injury Prevention Program to educate parents, coaches and young athletes about the importance of preventing sports-related injuries. As part…

Soccer Clinic with Heather - Dec. 27 & 28th!

Women's Sport Foundation Photos

Heather Mitts Talks Tailgating & U.S. WNT Fan Tribute Tour!

Tailgate parties are notorious for being a great time with family, friends, fellow fans and greasy, fattening food and beer. For those of us looking to have fun cheering on our favorite team with those we care about at the stadium, it can be hard to give up the food we love, but know isn’t healthy for us. Three time Olympic gold medalist, football fan, and NFL wife Heather Mitts joined me yesterday to talk about everything from creating a tailgate party with healthy delicious meal options to custom cocktails and decor. The soccer star also dished on the U.S. Women’s National Team Fan Tribute Tour, and where you’ll see her and the gold medal winning soccer team next!

Candace Rose: What’s the secret to throwing a fun festive tailgate party that’s fit for a lady, but men will love too?
Heather Mitts: “Well, I think all the things that you can bring to the tailgate are from your home, so you’re basically just sprucing it up a little bit and making it a little more fun, more ladylike and having some food that’s a little more mindful on the waistline, as well as the drinks from Skinnygirl.”
Candace Rose: Are tailgates still all about hamburgers, hotdogs and wings, or are there any new food trends you’re seeing?
Heather Mitts: “We’re not doing that anymore, at least at our tailgate! We’re making it a little bit more on the healthy side. We still have stuff that’s very tasty, like guacamole and chips, and then we have some vegetables. We’re going to do a whole little salsa bar. The perfect spiral salsa is amazing, it has avocado and tomatoes in there. And also the sideline skewers, which have tomato, basil and mozzarella – which are my favorite. Bring out your mason jars and a little vase, and just try to make it a little prettier than you otherwise would.”
Candace Rose: Everything sounds extremely delicious! How about when it comes to drinks, what are the must haves?
Heather Mitts: “Well, my personal favorite is the Bloody Mary Blitz, and that’s with the Skinnygirl Cucumber Vodka. The Red Zone’s a great one. We have mason jars and little garnishes and trying to make it pretty. People can come over here and serve themselves.  And then the really easy one is the White Cranberry Cosmo, which you just chill it. It’s really simple, you just pour it in a pretty glass, put some cranberries in there, and then voila you’ve just sassed up your tailgate.”
Candace Rose: Do you have any additional tips or information you’d like to share with us?
Heather Mitts; “All of the things I’ve shared today can be found on Skinnygirlcocktails.com, but just show up with some yummy food, great drinks and just have a lot of fun!”
Candace Rose: And as for you, Heather congratulations on winning your third Olympic gold medal in London this past summer. Can you tell us about the U.S. Women’s National Team Fan Tribute Tour?
Heather Mitts: “It’s actually going on right now. We’ve only had a couple games, and the next two coming up are in Chicago and Hartford, and then we take a little break and we go to Portland, and then to Arizona, and then we have a couple more after that. It’s just a great opportunity for us to be able to travel around and play in front of our fans.”
Candace Rose: We hope to see you in Northern California!
Heather Mitts: “That would be great. We would love that too, so hopefully we do see you there.”

Gold Medal for Mitts

Heather Mitts of the U.S. celebrates with her team mates after winning their women's soccer final gold medal match against Japan at Wembley Stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 9, 2012.

USA's Heather Mitts: Every team has a chance to win Gold at this summer's Olympics

From: Goal.com - re-post from June 28, 2012

Despite having 123 international caps and two Olympic Gold medals, Heather Mitts is excited to aim for her third Gold with the United States this summer in the London Games.

In fact, she believes that winning in the Olympics is on the same level as winning the World Cup.

Yet, while Mitts is primarily focused on that tournament, she shares concerns with dozens of other professional women soccer players in the United States after the WPS disbanded in May, leaving many wondering about the future of women's soccer in the United States.  

Mitts spoke to Goal.com about those worried, as well as the chances for the Red, White and Blue in the Olympics.

Goal.com: Are you concerned about women's soccer future in America following WPS shutting down?

Mitts: Of course, it's very unfortunate news. But I believe the support is still there. We just saw 50,000 people at the women's Champions League final. Even with the WPS in the state that it's in, we still have [domestic] teams playing. There are tons of fans coming to support the Sounders and the Breakers.

It's all about finding the right people to run the league. When we can find that, I think it will be a great combination because the players are there and the support is there.

Did the WPS have issues at the top?

I think it was just difficult to get everyone on the same page in terms of marketing. I think we also need the economy to go back to the right direction.

What would you change to market it better?

I think from my experience with the national team, it has to be about the grassroots - players willing to meet with fans in the stands and going out to the community. You don't want to do it to the point where fans have all met you and have your autographs but you want to be a draw that gets people.

It's a group effort and I think everyone as a whole has to do a better job.

Considering that the U.S. women's players are so popular stateside, would those solutions help a new domestic league?

It's really difficult just because all of the stuff with the league when we're about to go to the Olympics.

I think looking around the world, the U.S. might need to start at a lower level. The WPS started right away as a full professional league and leagues around the world usually start semi-pro before getting successful enough to move up. I think you need to allow people to have another job at the same time as going and playing. We need to take a page from the European leagues and see how they've been able to stay around.

If there isn't a league within the next year or so, would you consider playing in Europe?

I think because I'm an older player, I wouldn't. If I was a younger player, I definitely would. I think it would be a good experience. I also believe that you will see a lot of players moving to Europe if things aren't resolved here. Hopefully, things will be resolved. You want to play in front of your fans and have their support.

You've won two Olympic gold medals, are you motivated to win a third?

Absolutely, this is what we all dream about. As athletes, we all want to compete at the highest level and to represent your country. We've dreamed of this day since we were young girls, so to be able to do that is a dream come true.

Who else is going to be a favorite for Gold this summer?

I think every team in the Olympics has a chance to win. That's the unique thing about the women's game now, anyone can win on any given day. We try not to look too far ahead.

Obviously, our group isn't going to be easy, especially playing France in our first game. We consider them to be a good team. It's going to be one of the best games [of the Olympics]. They are a very tough team to play against. Considering how our group is and the road to the final, I think this is going to be the toughest competition that we've been a part of.

Which is more important: the World Cup or the Olympics?

When you speak with women in Europe, they usually say that the World Cup is more important. But speaking with my teammates, we feel like both the World Cup and Olympics are equal. Neither is better than winning the other. Both are the pinnacles of our sport. 


Heather Mitts spoke with Goal.com on behalf of TRX® Suspension Trainer™, a form of training that she says enhances her fitness and stamina for U.S. Women's games.

Getting to know Heather Mitts

Heather Mitts hosts youth camp before Olympics

Less than three weeks before her first match in the 2012 Olympics in London, Hyde Park native Heather Mitts called it her “top priority” to host her fourth annual youth girls’ soccer camp in her hometown.
When the two-day camp opened Saturday with temperatures more than 100 degrees at Lakota West High School in West Chester, Mitts addressed the group of more than 200 young girls – telling them about the impact soccer camps had on her growing up.
“I remember those (camps) like they were yesterday. I had so much fun,” Mitts said. “I loved the competition and just the fact that you are out there to learn a little bit and play soccer everyday. It can’t get any better than that.”

While many young girls were getting their first taste of soccer at the camp, the 34-year-old Mitts said she is going to call it a career and retire after this summer’s Olympics games. “This is probably the fittest I have ever been, so to be able to walk away right now is kind of surreal, but I feel like this is the right time to do it,” said Mitts, who has endured numerous injuries throughout her soccer career. “I want to go out when I am still at the top of my game and there are other things that I do want to do in life.”
“This is the way it is going to end and hopefully it is with a gold medal around my neck.”
Once she retires, Mitts said that she wants to start a family with her husband A.J. Feeley, who has been a quarterback in the NFL since 2001. With Feeley currently a free agent, there are many unknowns about where the couple will put down their roots. However, with family still in Cincinnati, Mitts made it clear that she wants to continue hosting her annual event.
“We are still up in the air. They are still so many things to still decide, but I will continue to do this because this is something that is very, very special and dear to me,” Mitts said. “To be able to come home, where my soccer career began, is special and we need some more national team players from Cincinnati.”
While she wants to start a family first, Mitts is also hopeful to return sports television where she has already worked as a sideline reporter, studio analyst and color commentator for various sports networks including ESPN and ABC.
But before all of that, the defender wants one more gold medal.
“This is it for me, so I really have nothing to lose. I just want to go out there and play the best I can, help my team win another gold medal in whatever fashion that may be,” Mitts said. “We have already made it to the Olympics, so from here on out it is just icing on the cake.”
Mitts and Team USA, which is No. 1 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, will open Group G play against France at Hampden Park in Glasgow Scotland at 5 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET) July 25 – two days prior to the Olympics’ opening ceremonies.

Heather Mitts Gets Birthday Serenade

Heather Mitts in Muse Magazine

Heather Mitts in Bath: Team USA Britain Bound

Polk ships UltraFit sports headphone line

In case you missed it, Polk Audio, which made a name for itself in the speaker world, announced a new line of UltraFit sports headphones back in June. Now all four new models have started shipping to retailers and should be available by the end of this month, if not sooner.
The line includes a mix of in-ear, on-ear, and in-ear-canal models that come in a variety of colors and range in price from $49.95 to $99.95. The three in-ear models look fairly similar but simply get swankier (and presumably sound better) as you step up in price.
Polk is touting the 'phones sturdy design, good sound quality, and touches like "tangle-free contrast-colored cables for instant left/right recognition" and an iPhone-friendly integrated three-button remote control and microphone (should work with Android models, too). No models, however, offer wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

Soccer player Heather Mitts modeling Polk's new UltraFit 3000
headphones (click to enlarge). (Credit: Polk Audio )

Record crowd fills stadium for Beat game

KENNESAW — Despite the excitement of an overflow crowd to cheer the returning Women’s World Cup stars, the Atlanta Beat played to an anticlimactic scoreless draw with magicJack on Saturday at KSU Soccer Stadium.

An announced standing-room-only crowd of 9,345 — more than 1,000 beyond the stadium’s listed capacity — was in attendance, six days after the conclusion of the World Cup in Germany.

“It’s great to see all of the support,” said the Beat’s Carli Lloyd, one of Atlanta’s two U.S. national team players. “And we’re bringing it to the WPS, and that’s what’s important. We have to grow the game of soccer. All of these little girls are here that want to play and aspire to play professionally like we are, so it’s a fantastic environment.”

Though the absence of magicJack’s Hope Solo and midfielder Shannon Boxx was obvious, U.S. star and magicJack forward Abby Wambach did start for magicJack and played 74 minutes despite suffering an injury to her right Achilles’ that prevented her from playing Wednesday in a homecoming game at Western New York.

“It’s not easy,” Wambach said. “I think we’ve got kind of a long stretch ahead where we have to play Wednesday and Saturday games. The most important factor involved in that, especially if there is travel involved, is just to get recovered and get your legs under you.”

“Some of us who are coming back from Germany, you have to work your way into it especially if you played six games in three weeks.”

After Sunday, the U.S. women’s national team players felt a whirlwind of attention, including countless interviews and talk show appearances before returning to their respective Women’s Professional Soccer teams.

“It was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be,” Lloyd said. “It was a very busy week. Now, I know the importance of hydration. I was unable to hydrate as well. I’m an excessively hydrating person, and especially with this heat, it was really hard and it zaps your energy. I just tried to go out there and give it my all.”

The Beat (1-10-4) controlled possession throughout Saturday’s game. On top of that, goalkeeper Alison Whitworth stopped 11 shots, including two 1-on-1 situations against Lisa de Vanna leading magicJack scorer Ella Masar.

“Whit played out of her mind,” said the Beat’s Heather Mitts, the team’s other U.S. player. “It’s the best I have seen her play all season long. She really saved us back there (Saturday).”

While the Beat play tight defense to hold magicJack (5-5-2) to hold them scoreless, Atlanta went scoreless for the fifth straight game and was mathematically eliminated from contention for one of WPS’ four playoff berths.

Regardless, it was clear that the night was more about the fanfare surrounding the game than it was about the product on the field.

“Playing in front of fans is always exciting,” Wambach said. “In Germany, I just kept saying, ‘This never gets old.’ People are excited about the game — excited about the sport. It’s honestly humbling and an honor.”

Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Record crowd fills stadium for Beat game

Beat's Mitts, Lloyd share World Cup goal

By Meghan Rose

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When the U.S. Women’s National Team won the 1999 FIFA World Cup, that same year defender Heather Mitts made her first national soccer appearance and midfielder Carli Lloyd collected the first of her two national high school player of the year awards in Pennsylvania.
Photo: David Todd

Much has changed for the Atlanta Beat’s Mitts and Lloyd in a dozen years. Since that World Cup title, they have become two of the sport’s premier players, staples for a U.S. team that captured Olympic gold in Athens and Beijing.

“The World Cup is like the Super Bowl for us,” Mitts said. “Playing in that type of atmosphere is so exciting.”

Combined, Mitts and Lloyd have made more than 200 appearances for the national team. They hope to use this experience to help the Americans end their World Cup dry spell. The international tournament runs June 26-July 17 at various German sites.

On Tuesday, the Beat teammates leave Atlanta to join the U.S. Women’s National Team for training in Austria. From there, the team will travel to Dresden, Germany, for a match against Korea DPR on June 28 to open FIFA World Cup play. The match will be broadcast on ESPN and begins at 11:45 a.m. ET.

Games will be held in nine different cities with the 16-team field divided into four groups for preliminary play. After facing Korea, the U.S. squad will meet Colombia and Sweden.

The U.S. Women’s National Team qualified for the FIFA World Cup when it captured the 16th and final berth after beating Italy in a two-game qualifying playoff. This spring, Mitts, Lloyd and their 20 U.S. teammates stayed busy preparing for Germany.

“The gap is close with the teams internationally,” Lloyd said. “You can’t take any team lightly.”

Lloyd and Mitts became national team teammates when Lloyd joined the squad six years ago, and the pair has developed a strong relationship on and off the field. In 2007, Mitts joined Lloyd in her training with current Beat coach James Galanis in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“We get along great and we’re pretty easy going,” Lloyd said.

They signed with the Beat during the offseason; Lloyd in December, Mitts in January.

“It’s been exciting to come to the Beat and be familiar with James and one of your best friends,” Mitts said.

The past few months have been busy for the reunited Mitts and Lloyd, who have been constantly on the road, traveling between their soccer teams. During the week, they train with the national team; on weekends, they join the Beat for WPS games. Both attended a three-week training camp for the U.S. Women’s National Team in Palm Springs, Fla., early last month.

“It’s been a lot more challenging then any of us expected with the travel. ... We make it work,” Mitts said.

In seven games with the Beat this season, midfielder Lloyd has scored two goals while Mitts has started the four games in which she has played. For the U.S. squad, Lloyd has scored 27 career goals while Mitts, a defender, has scored twice.

Mitts and Lloyd, by having each other to share in the experience, have been able to deal with the long hours, travel and exhaustion.They rely on each other for support.

“It’s still the game of soccer whether you’re playing with the Beat or the national team,” Lloyd said. “It’s been great having Heather here with me.”

USA soccer star Heather Mitts trains with area preps

By Nick Dudukovich • ndudukovich@communitypress.com

SHARONVILLE – Soccer star and St. Ursula Academy alumna Heather Mitts returned to Cincinnati to workout with current Bulldog players at DI Sports Training and Therapy in Sharonville, June 10.

Mitts, who co-owns the facility with former Reds and Yankees slugger, Paul O’Neill, will be playing in the FIFA World Cup in Germany, June 23 through July 17.

St. Ursula's Claire Weigand (left) and Heather Mitts (center) worked out at DI Cincinnati, June 10. Photo Nick Dudukovich/Staff

Mitts worked out with the group for about an hour and half and said the training would teach the girls what it’s like to train at a high level.

“It was great…to be able to come to DI and to share a hard workout with the girls, so they can see what it takes, they really got a lot out of it, and obviously I enjoyed it as well,” she said.

St. Ursula student Claire Weigand relished the opportunity to share the field with one of her soccer role models.

“It was a good experience to see how she works and to be right next to her and to see what she does,” Weigand said. “It’s incredible she was here with us. You totally forget how famous she is and how good a soccer player she is.”

While in town, Mitts also conducted the CBTS Heather Mitts Soccer Camp at Sycamore High School.

The St. Ursula alumna missed the previous two World Cups because of injury.

Heather Mitts performs a drill at D1 Cincinnati in Sharonville, June 10. Photo Nick Dudukovich/Staff

Mitts, 33, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She should serve as strong veteran presence on the United States’ squad this summer.

“I think I’m one of the more veteran experienced players. I think I’ll be able to help my teammates out, I’m not sure how much I’ll be playing, based on the injury, but I’ll be there supporting my team,” she said. “And if I do get an opportunity to play, going out there, helping them win.”