Racing Louisville FC trades star forward Tobin Heath, who never played a game for the club

Nearly two years after Racing Louisville FC selected forward Tobin Heath in the NWSL Expansion Draft, the club is parting ways with the U.S. Women's National Team star, who never took the pitch at Lynn Family Stadium.

Racing on Thursday announced it has traded Heath's rights to Seattle's OL Reign. In exchange, the Louisville club will receive $50,000 in allocation money and two additional picks in the 2023 NWSL Draft — one in the second round and one in the fourth.

Heath, 34, was playing with Manchester United W.F.C. in England when she and fellow USWNT teammate Christen Press were drafted by Racing in November 2020. Neither player signed a contract with the club.

Heath suffered an ankle injury in January 2021 that sidelined her for more than two months but returned to the pitch to represent the U.S. alongside Press at the 2021 Olympics. In September 2021, the Morristown, New Jersey, native signed with English club Arsenal.

Tobin Heath: USWNT star whose rights are held by Racing Louisville, signs with Arsenal

Christen Press: Racing Louisville FC trades rights to USWNT star to Angel City FC

Racing dealt Press' rights in August 2021 to Los Angeles' Angel City FC in exchange for $75,000, protection in that year's expansion draft and a first-round pick in the amateur draft. The Los Angeles native suited up for her hometown club when it faced Racing on June 11 at Lynn Family Stadium but suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the 3-2 victory against her former team, according to ESPN.

Heath has appeared in 181 matches for the USWNT, including two World Cups. She has scored 36 goals and dished out 42 assists while representing her country on the global stage.

Racing is 2-4-2 on the season and ranks ninth in the NWSL with eight points through eight matches. The club next plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Washington Spirit in the nation's capital.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Tobin Heath traded by Racing Louisville FC to Seattle's OL Reign