Lindsey Heaps has become a beacon for American players abroad, and as she prepares to leave the south of France this summer, she reflects on a journey that began in a modest backyard and has now taken her to the helm of the world’s second‑ranked national side. The 31‑year‑old captain, who will join the newly created Denver Summit midway through their inaugural season, is a markedly different athlete and individual than the one who first arrived in Lyon in January 2022. In her own words, Heaps describes evolving from a "baby" into the leader of the United States Women’s National Team, while simultaneously serving as a flag‑bearer for U.S.
talent on foreign soil. Her story has resonated so strongly that the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) now worries about losing its brightest home‑grown players to European clubs. The most recent U.S. Women’s National Team roster featured seven players based in Europe – five in England’s Women’s Super League and two at Lyon, namely Heaps and her teammate Lily Yohannes.
"I’ve watched many players struggle when they move abroad – the language, the culture, being far from family can be overwhelming," Heaps told Sky Sports as she entered her final month in France’s second‑largest city. "Yet these have been some of the best years of my career.
The level of competition, the daily training with world‑class teammates, and the confidence that comes from thriving in a new environment have all shaped me." She added that her experience is a proof‑point for younger American girls: "I wanted to prove to myself that I could compete at the highest level, but I also wanted to show young girls back home that it’s possible. The opportunities are expanding – you see Americans playing in England, France, and beyond.
That’s something truly special." Heaps’s love affair with sport began early. Growing up in Colorado, she spent countless afternoons playing American football with her older brother in the family yard, a pastime encouraged by parents who were both accomplished runners. Those early contests taught her resilience and the belief that she could hold her own against older peers. "I was a very shy, timid girl," she recalled.
"Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but playing with my brother and later joining my first football team – coached by my mother – gave me the confidence I needed." Her most vivid memories are tied to that first team. At five years old, she entered a girls’ football environment, made friends, and began to see her self‑esteem grow. Those formative experiences laid the foundation for a career that would later see her captaining the U.S.
side and living abroad. Without that early exposure, Heaps believes she might never have become the leader she is today.
She acknowledges that the confidence sport instilled in her was essential for every subsequent step – from earning a spot on the U.S. national squads to moving to France and later contemplating a return to the United States. While Heaps prepares to depart Lyon, Arsenal Women – her upcoming opponents – have partnered with Unilever’s "Dirt Is Good" campaign to encourage girls to play outdoors.
A recent survey for the campaign revealed that one in five UK girls lose interest in outdoor play by age eight, and one in ten never play outside regularly. Through school visits and community outreach, the initiative has reached more than 5,000 families. Heaps, moved by the campaign’s mission and its alignment with her own story, decided to lend her voice.
Tati Lindenberg, chief marketing officer of Dirt Is Good, explained to Sky Sports: "We discovered a gender gap – girls are 22 percent less likely to play outside than boys, and many view getting dirty as a ‘boys’ activity.’ Yet outdoor play is vital for confidence, resilience, and creativity." Heaps’s childhood provides tangible proof of that principle. By the time she was barely a teenager, she recognized football could be more than a hobby; it could be a career.
She earned spots on various U.S. youth national teams, catching the eye of French scouts at age 17 – scouts who, coincidentally, worked for Lyon, the club she would later join. Despite the interest, Heaps chose to finish her senior year of high school in Colorado, prioritising education over an early move abroad. After graduation, she received another invitation from France, this time from Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG).
Faced with a pivotal decision, she weighed the comfort of staying in the U.S. against the allure of European football.
"I asked myself, ‘Is staying in the USA and going to college really going to get me to the next level?’" Heaps recalled. "I grew up watching European football. I even watched Barcelona on a secret subscription my parents didn’t know about. Seeing them lift the Champions League trophy was a dream.
When the chance came, I thought, ‘Why not take the risk?’" She returned to the United States in 2016 to play for Portland, largely because the U.S. Women’s National Team at the time was hesitant to select players based overseas.
However, the pull of Europe remained strong, and in 2022 she signed with Lyon, a club with a storied history in women’s soccer. Even with prior experience in France, the move was nerve‑wracking. Heaps described the familiar mix of excitement and anxiety that accompanies any new chapter: "When I first arrived at PSG, and later when I joined Lyon, there were moments of hesitation.
But I also remembered how far I’d come – the confidence I’d built, the leadership skills I’d honed, the experiences that shaped me. That inner belief helped me push through the nerves." Now, as she prepares to head back to the United States, Heaps carries more than trophies and caps; she brings a legacy of pioneering spirit. Her story demonstrates that stepping outside familiar surroundings can unlock unprecedented growth, both personally and professionally. For aspiring American players, Heaps’s journey serves as a roadmap: embrace the unknown, seek out the highest level of competition, and use those experiences to inspire the next generation.
Beyond the pitch, Heaps hopes her involvement with campaigns like Dirt Is Good will encourage girls to embrace outdoor play, develop resilience, and pursue their passions without fear of judgment. She believes that the confidence she gained from football can translate to any arena, whether it’s a classroom, a boardroom, or a community field. In summary, Lindsey Heaps’s upcoming departure from Lyon marks the end of a remarkable European chapter and the beginning of a new adventure with Denver Summit. Her evolution from a shy backyard player to a world‑class captain underscores the power of perseverance, the importance of stepping beyond comfort zones, and the impact a single individual can have on broader cultural attitudes toward women’s sport.
As she looks ahead, Heaps remains committed to paving the way for future American talent, proving that bold moves and unwavering belief can shape not only a career but an entire legacy.