Lindsey Heaps has become a symbol of perseverance and ambition for American soccer players who dare to venture abroad. In her own words, she hopes to serve as a role model, acknowledging that it is rare for U.S. athletes to remain with a European club for an extended period.
Over the past few years, many have struggled with the cultural shift, language barriers, and homesickness that accompany such moves. Heaps, now 31, is preparing to leave the south of France this summer, heading back to the United States to join the newly created Denver Summit midway through their inaugural season. Her departure marks the end of a transformative chapter that began when she first arrived in Lyon in January 2022.
When Heaps first stepped onto French soil, she was a fresh-faced rookie, still learning the nuances of a different footballing culture. Fast‑forward to today, she has evolved from a "baby" on the international stage into the captain of the United States women’s national team, which currently sits at the world’s second‑highest ranking. Her journey has also highlighted the growing trend of American talent flourishing overseas.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has begun to voice concerns that its brightest homegrown stars may be lured away to Europe, where the level of competition and exposure can be even higher. In the most recent United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) roster, seven players ply their trade in Europe—five in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) and two, including Heaps and teammate Lily Yohannes, at Lyon.
Speaking to Sky Sports as she approaches her final month in France’s second‑largest city, Heaps reflected on the challenges and rewards of her overseas adventure. "I’ve seen many players struggle when they’re far from home, especially in clubs with different languages and cultures," she said. "But these have also been some of the best years of my career. The comfort level is different, and the experience of playing alongside the world’s elite has been priceless.
I wanted to prove to myself that I could compete at that level, and I also wanted to show young girls in the United States that such a path is possible." Heaps noted a surge in interest from American players eager to test themselves abroad. "You see Americans in England, France, and all over the world now. That’s something very special," she added.
Her own love affair with football began in a modest backyard in Colorado, where she and her older brother would toss a ball around under the watchful eyes of their parents—both accomplished runners. Those early games taught her resilience and the confidence to take on new challenges, traits that would later define her professional career. She describes herself as having been "very shy and timid" as a child.
"Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but my parents encouraged me, and my mother even coached my first team," Heaps recalled. "My most vivid memories are of those early football sessions. When I finally joined a girls’ team at five, making friends on the pitch gave me a huge boost of confidence." Without those formative experiences, Heaps believes her trajectory would have looked very different—perhaps no captaincy, no stint in France, and certainly not the self‑assurance that sport has nurtured in her.
Her story intersects with a broader initiative championed by Arsenal Women, Lyon’s upcoming opponents, who have partnered with Unilever’s Dirt Is Good campaign. The program aims to inspire girls to play outdoors, addressing research that shows one in five UK children lose interest in outdoor play by age eight, and one in ten never play outside regularly. Arsenal’s community outreach has already reached over 5,000 families, and Heaps, moved by the campaign’s message, volunteered to help. Tati Lindenberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Dirt Is Good, explained the gender disparity uncovered by the campaign: "Girls are 22 percent less likely to play outside than boys, and many view getting dirty as a ‘boys’ activity.’ This perception limits their opportunities for developing confidence, resilience, and creativity—qualities that are essential for personal growth." Heaps’s own childhood provides concrete proof of the campaign’s premise.
By the time she was barely a teenager, she recognized that football could be more than a pastime—it could be a career. She earned spots on various U.S. youth national teams, catching the eye of French scouts at age 17.
Those scouts, who later worked for Lyon, invited her to Europe, but Heaps chose to finish her high school education in Colorado first. After graduating, she faced a pivotal decision when French clubs, including Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG), expressed interest. "I had to ask myself what would be more comfortable: staying in the U.S.
and going to college, or chasing my dream abroad," Heaps said. "I grew up watching European football on a secret subscription my parents didn’t know about.
I remember seeing Barcelona lift the Champions League trophy and thinking, ‘That’s what I want.’ So when the chance came, I didn’t want to miss it." She initially returned to the United States to play for Portland in 2016, partly because the USWNT was hesitant to select players based overseas at that time. However, the pull of Europe remained strong, and she re‑joined French football in 2022 with Lyon.
Even with prior experience, the move felt daunting. "Going to PSG the first time, then arriving at Lyon, there’s always nerves when you join a new club.
My previous stint made me a little more anxious the second time around," she admitted. "But I also remembered how far I’d come—my confidence, leadership, and the lessons I’d learned. That gave me the courage to step out again." Now, as Heaps prepares to return to the U.S. for a new challenge with Denver Summit, she carries with her a wealth of experience that cannot be taken away.
More importantly, she leaves behind a legacy that demonstrates the power of taking calculated risks. Her journey shows that leaving familiar surroundings to chase a dream can yield personal growth, professional success, and inspiration for the next generation of American girls who aspire to play at the highest levels. Heaps’s story also underscores a shifting landscape in women’s soccer. The increasing flow of talent between continents enriches the sport globally, while campaigns like Dirt Is Good remind us that the foundations of confidence and creativity are often built long before a player steps onto a professional pitch.
As Heaps embarks on her next chapter, she does so with the knowledge that she has paved a path for others, proving that with determination, support, and a willingness to embrace the unknown, American players can thrive on the world stage. In the months ahead, fans can expect Heaps to bring her leadership and experience to Denver Summit, helping the fledgling club establish its identity in the competitive NWSL environment.
Her presence will likely attract more young American talent to consider overseas opportunities, while also reinforcing the importance of domestic development programs that nurture players from backyard games to international arenas. The story of Lindsey Heaps is far from over; it is simply entering a new, exciting phase.