Lindsey Heaps has become a symbol of perseverance and ambition for American players seeking success abroad, and she is preparing to leave the French Riviera this summer. After arriving in Lyon in January 2022, the 31‑year‑old captain has transformed from a relative newcomer into the leader of the United States women’s national team, which currently holds the No. 2 spot in the world rankings. As she gears up to join the newly created Denver Summit midway through their inaugural season, Heaps reflects on a journey that has reshaped both her career and her personal identity.
"I want to be a role model," Heaps told Sky Sports. "It’s rare for an American to stay for an extended period at a European club – many have struggled with the transition." Her words capture the unique challenges faced by U.S. players who venture overseas: language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the emotional toll of being far from family. Yet Heaps insists that those very obstacles have also produced some of the most rewarding years of her professional life.
During her tenure in France, Heaps has not only honed her skills on the pitch but also carried the flag for American talent on the global stage. Her presence, along with teammate Lily Yohannes, helped push the number of U.S. internationals playing in Europe to seven – five in England’s Women’s Super League and two at Lyonnais.
This growing exodus has sparked concern within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), which fears that its top home‑grown players may increasingly be lured abroad by higher salaries and the chance to compete alongside the world’s elite. Heaps’ own story began in the most modest of settings: a backyard in Colorado where she and her older brother would toss a football around under the watchful eyes of their parents, both accomplished runners. "I was a very shy, timid girl," she recalled.
"Playing with my brother and later joining my first team, which my mother coached, forced me out of my comfort zone and built my confidence." Those early experiences laid the groundwork for a career that would later see her captain a national side and compete in front of packed stadiums across Europe. The decision to move to France was not taken lightly. At 17, scouts from Lyonnais spotted her potential, but Heaps chose to finish her senior year of high school in Colorado before committing to a professional contract. When the opportunity resurfaced a few years later, she faced a crossroads: remain in the United States and pursue college soccer, or chase the dream of playing in Europe.
"I grew up watching European football on a secret subscription," she laughed. "Seeing Barcelona lift the Champions League sparked a fire in me – I knew I wanted that level of competition." After a stint with Portland Thorns in 2016, Heaps returned to Europe, first with Paris Saint‑Germain and then with Lyonnais in 2022. Each move required her to adapt to new teammates, tactics, and cultural expectations.
"The first day at a new club is always nerve‑wracking," she admitted. "You wonder if you’ll fit in, if the language barrier will hold you back. But the experience I’d already gained gave me confidence.
I knew who I was as a player and as a person." Beyond her on‑field achievements, Heaps has become an advocate for girls’ participation in sport and outdoor play. Arsenal Women, Lyonnais’ opponents this weekend, have partnered with Unilever’s Dirt Is Good campaign, which highlights a gender gap in outdoor activity: research shows that girls are 22 percent less likely than boys to play outside freely, often viewing messiness as a “boys’ thing.” Heaps, whose own love of the game blossomed in the dirt of a backyard, reached out to support the initiative.
"Seeing that gap resonated with my own childhood," she explained. "Playing outside built my confidence, resilience, and creativity – qualities that every child should develop." The campaign, led by Tati Lindenberg, CMO of Dirt Is Good, has already connected with over 5,000 families through school visits and community programs. Heaps’ involvement adds a high‑profile voice that underscores the importance of encouraging girls to embrace physical activity without fear of judgment. Looking ahead, Heaps will depart Lyonnais for Denver Summit, bringing with her a wealth of experience that few American players possess.
She hopes her story will inspire the next generation to take bold steps, whether that means crossing an ocean to chase a professional contract or simply daring to try a new sport. "The opportunities now are incredible," she said. "I see so many young players wanting to make the move. Americans are everywhere – England, France, Spain.
That’s something very special." Her legacy, therefore, is two‑fold: on the pitch, she has helped elevate the United States to the upper echelons of women’s football; off the pitch, she has become a living example of how stepping outside one’s comfort zone can lead to personal growth and broader cultural change. As she prepares for her final month in the city of lights, Heaps reflects on the journey that began with a shy five‑year‑old kicking a ball in her backyard and has culminated in a captain’s armband, a European trophy cabinet, and a platform to champion girls’ empowerment worldwide.
When she eventually hangs up her boots, the story she leaves behind will be one of perseverance, adaptability, and the belief that taking a leap of faith can open doors not just for oneself, but for an entire generation of aspiring athletes.