Women's World Cup 2015: Why Tobin Heath Should Continue to Start for the USWNT

The United States has had an impressive run so far at the 2015 Women’s World Cup and have given up just one goal through three games. If the team wants to continue its success, it will need to keep midfielder Tobin Heath’s offensive versatility in its starting lineup.

Heath, the first overall pick in the 2010 Women’s Professional Soccer draft, earned her first World Cup start in the team’s last group stage match against Nigeria. While she didn’t make a statistical impact on the game, her athleticism helped the team’s attack look better than ever.

Heath rose to the scene after a few impressive international friendly appearances leading up the World Cup. She put her ball skills on display in hitting a beautiful cross to forward Abby Wambach against Mexico.

One of the team’s greatest strengths is its ability to hit header goals from a short distance from the goal. Heath’s ability to pass the ball with precision and accuracy brings another element to the USA attack.

Heath’s speed gives opposing teams headaches. Her ability to beat defenders near the sidelines opens up opportunities for her teammates. Fox Sports reporter Heather Mitts noted Heath’s skill to get her teammates involved during the USA’s win against Nigeria.

Outside of international duty, Heath is one of the stars for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Along with being a flank midfielder with her speed and quickness, Heath has shown the ability to be a great attacking midfielder as well.

Heath demonstrated her great free-kick abilities against the Western New York Flash.

She also had a near-assist on an impressive free-kick to midfielder Heather O’Reilly against South Korea in another international friendly.

The USA attack struggled for the first two games, mostly due to forward Alex Morgan’s injury woes. Now that Morgan is back, Heath will become even more dangerous in drawing attention away from Morgan and Wambach.

Heath is the USA’s hidden playmaker and could make an instant impact if she starts for the team going forward. Her ability to dribble the ball with ease, as well as attack from both short and long distances can move the USA one step closer to a World Cup championship.

Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis