By OkayGoal 
Preath. It’s the portmanteau every Soccerista knows and loves. The internet had been speculating about whether or not Christen Press and Tobin Heath were together for nearly a decade before the couple confirmed that all the rumors were true. Recently, they have been opening up more about their relationship, both in the press and on their own podcast, RE-cap. Because it’s been shrouded in mystery for so long, we decided to break down the Preath timeline here and now.
The Beginning
As best we can tell, Press and Heath entered each other’s orbit in 2012 when Press was called up as a sub for the USWNT. The dating rumors didn’t begin immediately, though looking back, they did have some sweet moments even as just teammates. The buzz, and the actual coining of the name “Preath,” really started in 2015/2016. The two were seemingly suddenly much closer. Press was invited to Tobin’s 100th cap celebration; they were always seen together at camps and during stops on the Victory Tour in 2015.
And then things really started heating up in 2016. Throughout that year, they are seen together regularly in public, at nice restaurants, coffee shops, family gatherings, etc. That same year, they set the internet on fire with several very PDA-like goal celebrations. It is in 2016 that they actually become girlfriends, and while their loved ones and teammates know this, they shelter their love bubble from the rest of the world.
Keeping it Private
Over the next several years, Heath and Press continue to stoke rumors. Constantly liking each other’s social media posts while living and playing an ocean apart from one another, spending holidays and birthdays together, going to NBA games together, and doing the most with subtlety every Pride month. In 2019, they launched Re-inc with some of their fellow and former teammates and did lots of posts and press together about that.
And then in 2020, after being apart (professionally, not romantically) for some time, the two went abroad together, both signing a one-year contract with Manchester United. Though their play time together was cut short because of Heath’s injury, that didn’t stop the rumor mill.
Going Public
In 2022, they had several red carpet appearances where they were holding hands, including my personal favorite Preath moment. After gracing many a red carpet and formal event together, Preath showed up together at the ESPYs and held pinkies while posing for pictures. It may seem small, but after so much speculation and maybes, this really set the internet and fandom on fire. Just a few short years later, in 2024, Christen Press and Tobin Heath announced to the world during the Paris Olympics that they were together and had been together for eight years.
Present Day
Which brings us to the present day. 2025 has been a big year for this power couple. Earlier this year, they adopted a puppy, Bob, and are honestly living their best lives. Press has gotten back to the pitch after injury. And during Heath’s official retirement announcement, she also announced that she and Press were married. We don’t have an exact wedding anniversary date, but we do know it was sometime around or before July 11, 2025 (Heath’s retirement date). This amazing, loving couple has been through so much professionally and personally. So, while we’ve loved to speculate over the year, we love seeing them celebrate their relationship openly.
Featured image via @christenpress on Instagram
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS