Heather Stainbrook


Heather Marie Stainbrook is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Super League club Dallas Trinity, on loan from the Washington Spirit. She played college soccer for the Utah Valley Wolverines, setting the program scoring record at the time, and began her professional career with the Spirit in 2024.

Early life

Stainbrook grew up in South Jordan, Utah, and attended Alta High School in Sandy. She was named all-state the two years she played for her high school as she led the team to regional titles and state quarterfinals. She played club soccer for La Roca FC.

College career

Stainbrook was a five-year starter for the Utah Valley Wolverines from 2019 to 2023. In her pandemic-shortened sophomore year, she helped win both the Western Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles; Utah Valley qualified for the 2020 [NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament|NCAA tournament] for only the third time in program history and won its opening match for the first time. She won two further regular-season conference titles with the team and appeared in one further 2022 NCAA [Division I women's soccer tournament|NCAA tournament]. Stainbrook received first-team All-WAC recognition three times and was named the WAC Offensive Player of the Year when she scored a career-high 13 goals in 2022. After five seasons, Stainbrook left Utah Valley as its all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 102 games. Her former teammate Faith Webber surpassed her record the following year.

Club career

Washington Spirit

Stainbrook was not selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft but joined the Washington Spirit as a non-roster invitee in the preseason, signing a three-year contract on March 11, 2024. She made her professional debut as a late substitute for Ouleymata Sarr in a 4–2 win over the Chicago Red Stars on May 3, becoming the first Utah Valley player to play in the NWSL. In early October, fllowing a season-ending injury to Andi Sullivan, Stainbrook became a starter for the rest of her rookie season. On October 20, she scored her first professional from a cross by Tara McKeown to open the scoring in a 2–0 win over the Chicago Red Stars. She played in 11 league games, starting 4, and scored 1 goal as the Spirit placed second in the league. In the playoffs, she started the first two games to help the Spirit reach the 2024 NWSL Championship, but was unused in the loss to the Orlando Pride. The following season, she again made 11 league appearances, starting 6, as the Spirit repeated their second-place finish. She was unused in the playoffs as the Spirit made the 2025 NWSL Championship, losing to Gotham FC.

Loan to Dallas Trinity

On January 20, 2026, Stainbrook joined USL Super League club Dallas Trinity on loan for the entire year, becoming the fifth Spirit player loaned to Dallas in the last year and a half. She made her debut for the club on January 31, assisting the opening goal by Camryn Lancaster in a 1–1 draw with Brooklyn FC.

Career statistics

Honors and awards

Washington Spirit
Utah Valley Wolverines
Individual
  • WAC Offensive Player of the Year: 2022
  • First-team All-WAC: 2021, 2022, 2023
  • WAC all-freshman team: 2019
  • WAC tournament all-tournament team: 2020, 2022