Lindsey Heaps has become a beacon for American players abroad, and she hopes her journey will inspire the next generation. "I want to be a role model," she says. "It’s rare for an American to stay so long at a European club—many have struggled in the past." This summer, Heaps will leave the south of France and head back to the United States, where she has signed with the newly created Denver Summit midway through their inaugural season. The move marks the end of a transformative chapter that began when she arrived in Lyon in January 2022.
At 31, the United States captain reflects on her evolution from a "baby" on the international stage to the leader of the world’s second‑ranked national side, while also serving as a visible example of American talent thriving outside its home continent. Her impact has been felt far beyond the pitch. The NWSL now worries that its top home‑grown players could be lured overseas, and the most recent USWNT roster featured seven Europeans‑based stars—five in England’s Women’s Super League and two at Lyon, including Heaps and teammate Lily Yohannes. "I’ve watched many players struggle when they move abroad," Heaps tells Sky Sports as she prepares for her final month in France’s second‑largest city.
"Being far from home, adapting to a new culture and language—it’s tough. Yet those years have been some of the best of my career because of the growth and comfort I found there." She continues, "You get to train and play alongside the world’s elite. I wanted to prove to myself that I could belong at that level, and to show young girls back in the U.S. that it’s possible." The opportunities she describes are now evident: more American faces are appearing in England, France and other European leagues, a trend Heaps believes is special and encouraging for aspiring players.
Heaps’ love for the game began in her childhood backyard, where she and her older brother played American football under the encouragement of their parents—both accomplished runners. Competing with a sibling two years her senior gave her early confidence that she could hold her own against peers, an instinctive lesson that she could succeed by trying new things. "I was a very shy, timid girl," she admits. "Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but playing with my brother and joining my first football team—coached by my mother—helped a lot.
My most vivid memories are of football. When I entered that environment at five, made friends with the other girls, my confidence grew dramatically." Without those early opportunities, Heaps doubts she would have reached the heights she enjoys today: captaining the USWNT, living in France, and developing the self‑assurance that sport has given her.
This personal narrative dovetails with Arsenal Women’s recent partnership with Unilever’s Dirt Is Good campaign, which aims to get girls outdoors. A 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 work, Arsenal has reached over 5,000 families, and Heaps, moved by the cause, volunteered to help. Tati Lindenberg, CMO of Dirt Is Good, explained to Sky Sports, "We identified a gender gap: girls are 22 % less likely to play outside than boys, and many view getting dirty as a ‘boys’ activity.’ Yet outdoor, messy play is crucial for confidence, resilience and creativity." Heaps’ own upbringing illustrates this point.
By the time she was a pre‑teen, she recognized a future in football and began representing the United States in youth national teams. At 17, French scouts—later working for the Lyon side she would join—noticed her talent, but she chose to finish high school in Colorado before moving abroad.
When the opportunity resurfaced, this time from Paris Saint‑Germain, Heaps faced a pivotal decision. "I had to ask myself what was more comfortable—staying in the U.S.
and going to college, or chasing the next level abroad?" she recalls. Growing up, she was fascinated by European football, even watching Barcelona on a secret subscription her parents didn’t know about.
"Seeing them lift the Champions League trophy made me think, ‘That’s what I want.’ So when the chance came, I didn’t want to miss it." She returned to the United States to play for Portland in 2016, largely because the USWNT was hesitant to select overseas‑based players at the time. After the national team opened its doors to abroad talent, Heaps re‑joined France with Lyon in 2022.
Even with prior French experience, the move felt nerve‑wracking, but she was determined not to shy away from another comfort‑zone challenge. "I think back to my first day at PSG and my first day at Lyon—there are always nerves, a fear of the unknown.
Yet I also remember how far I’ve come, the confidence I’ve built, the leadership I’ve earned. That foundation gave me the courage to step out again." Now, as she prepares to leave France for the second time, Heaps carries with her a wealth of experience, memories that cannot be taken away, and a legacy that demonstrates the power of taking bold leaps.
Her story underscores that venturing beyond familiar borders can yield personal growth, professional success, and inspire countless others to follow suit. The upcoming Arsenal‑Lyon match, tied to the Dirt Is Good initiative, will serve as a fitting backdrop for Heaps’ final French chapter, highlighting both the importance of outdoor play for girls and the broader narrative of American athletes thriving on the world stage. As Heaps heads back to the U.S., she does so not only as a seasoned captain but also as a living example that perseverance, willingness to step outside comfort zones, and belief in one’s abilities can shape a lasting impact on sport and society alike.