Heather Stainbrook Bio
Heather Marie Stainbrook (born March 14, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder. She currently plays for Dallas Trinity of the USL Super League on loan from the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Stainbrook came into the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent and became the first former Utah Valley player to play in the NWSL.
Standing 5 feet 4 inches tall, Stainbrook is known for her attacking instincts, set-piece quality, and ability to play as a central midfielder. After completing her college career as Utah Valley’s all-time leading scorer, she signed a three-year professional contract with the Spirit in March 2024 and has since contributed to deep NWSL playoff runs.
Early Life and Background
Stainbrook grew up in South Jordan, Utah, and attended Alta High School in nearby Sandy. She played for the Alta High School team for two seasons and was named to the all-state team both years. During her time in high school, she led her team to regional titles and to the state quarterfinals, establishing herself as one of Utah’s top young midfielders.
Outside of high school soccer, Stainbrook developed her game at the club level with La Roca FC, a well-known youth program in the region. Her time with La Roca helped sharpen the technical and tactical foundation that she would later carry into college soccer. The combination of strong high school and club experiences set the stage for her recruitment to the Utah Valley Wolverines.
Path to Professional Soccer
Stainbrook joined the Utah Valley Wolverines in 2019 and became an immediate starter for the program. Her sophomore year was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she still helped the Wolverines capture both the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular-season and tournament titles. That season, Utah Valley qualified for the NCAA Tournament for only the third time in program history and won an opening-round match for the first time.
Across her five college seasons, Stainbrook developed into one of the most productive players in the WAC. She received first-team All-WAC honors three times and was named the WAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after scoring a career-high 13 goals. By the time she finished her senior year in 2023, she had set the Utah Valley all-time scoring record with 40 goals in 102 games.
Heather Stainbrook Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Stainbrook’s early career was built in college at Utah Valley, where she served as a five-year starter for the Wolverines. In addition to the 2020 WAC titles, she added two more WAC regular-season conference titles and appeared in a second NCAA Tournament with the program. Her consistent scoring and playmaking made her a focal point of the Wolverines’ attack throughout her time there.
When Stainbrook left Utah Valley in 2023, she did so as the school’s all-time top scorer with 40 goals across 102 appearances. Her record was later surpassed by her former teammate Faith Webber. Despite her prolific college resume, Stainbrook went unselected in the 2024 NWSL Draft and entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent.
Washington Spirit Breakthrough (2024–2025)
Stainbrook signed with the Washington Spirit as a non-roster invitee during the 2024 preseason and finalized a three-year contract on March 11, 2024. She made her professional debut on May 3, 2024, entering as a late substitute for Ouleymata Sarr in a 4–2 win over the Chicago Red Stars, becoming the first former Utah Valley player to appear in an NWSL match. Later that season, after a season-ending injury to captain Andi Sullivan, she stepped into the starting lineup and held a regular role through the playoffs.
On October 20, 2024, Stainbrook scored her first professional goal, finishing a cross from Tara McKeown to open the scoring in a 2–0 win over the Chicago Red Stars. As a rookie, she played in 11 league matches, started four, and scored one goal while helping the Spirit to a second-place regular-season finish. She started the first two playoff matches as the Spirit reached the 2024 NWSL Championship before being an unused substitute in the final against the Orlando Pride.
In 2025, Stainbrook continued to grow into a regular contributor for the Spirit, appearing in 11 league matches and starting six as Washington again finished second in the NWSL standings. She was again an unused substitute in the playoffs, however, as the Spirit reached the 2025 NWSL Championship and lost to Gotham FC. Across her first two professional seasons, she helped the club to back-to-back championship-game appearances.
Dallas Trinity Era (2026–Present)
On January 20, 2026, Stainbrook was loaned to USL Super League club Dallas Trinity for the entirety of the 2026 season, becoming the fifth Spirit player loaned to Dallas in roughly eighteen months. The move gave her a chance to take on a featured midfield role while remaining under contract with Washington through 2027. She quickly became a central figure for the Trinity.
Stainbrook made her Dallas debut on January 31, 2026, assisting Camryn Lancaster’s opening goal in a draw with Brooklyn FC. In her next appearance, she scored her first USL Super League goal in a 4–0 win over Fort Lauderdale United FC. Her strong start was recognized in March 2026, when she was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for her continued influence in the Trinity midfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stainbrook is an attack-minded midfielder whose strengths include arriving late in the box, finishing from crosses, and delivering set pieces. Her ability to read the game and connect with forwards has made her a reliable contributor on a deep Spirit squad. The partnership with the Washington coaching staff helped her refine her defensive responsibilities, while her loan to Dallas has showcased her as a primary creator.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stainbrook’s signature moments include becoming the first Utah Valley player to appear in the NWSL, scoring her first professional goal against the Chicago Red Stars, and helping the Spirit reach consecutive NWSL Championships in 2024 and 2025. Her record-setting 40-goal career at Utah Valley stands as another defining milestone of her career to date.
Heather Stainbrook Career Wins
Across her college and professional career, Heather Stainbrook has built a resume highlighted by conference titles, an NCAA Tournament win, and trips to the NWSL Championship. Her production at Utah Valley set the standard for the program, and her postseason appearances with the Spirit have placed her on some of the biggest stages in American women’s soccer.
Utah Valley and Washington Spirit Highlights
Stainbrook won three WAC regular-season titles and one WAC tournament title with the Wolverines, plus an NCAA Tournament opening-round victory. In her first professional season, she appeared in the 2024 NWSL Championship, and in 2025 she returned to the NWSL Championship match with the Spirit.
Other Wins and Performances
In 2026, Stainbrook scored her first USL Super League goal in a 4–0 win over Fort Lauderdale United FC and was later named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for March. Her strong early form with Dallas Trinity has been a key storyline in her developing professional career.
Heather Stainbrook Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Stainbrook was raised in South Jordan, Utah, where she developed her early love for soccer with the support of her family and community. Her development through La Roca FC and Alta High School provided the foundation for her college and professional success.
Personal Life
Stainbrook is an American citizen who was born and raised in Utah. She resides in the United States and continues to focus on her professional soccer career with the Washington Spirit and Dallas Trinity.
2025 Season Performance
Stainbrook’s 2025 NWSL season with the Washington Spirit saw her take a step forward from her rookie year. She appeared in 11 league matches and started six, providing depth and energy in the midfield behind established stars. Her contributions helped the Spirit finish second in the NWSL regular-season standings for the second consecutive year.
Although she was an unused substitute during the 2025 NWSL playoffs, Stainbrook was part of a Spirit squad that reached the NWSL Championship match for the second straight season. The experience of contributing to back-to-back title games at a young age furthered her development and set up her loan move to Dallas in early 2026.
Looking ahead, Stainbrook’s 2025 performances positioned her for a larger role with Dallas Trinity, where she has already begun to deliver goals, assists, and Team of the Month recognition. Her continued growth with the Trinity is expected to prepare her for an even bigger role upon her return to the Spirit in 2027.
