Lindsey Heaps has often said she wants to be a role model, and she knows how rare it is for an American player to spend an extended period at a European club. "I've seen many players struggle when they move abroad," she told Sky Sports, reflecting on the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language. This summer, the 31‑year‑old captain of the United States women's national team will leave the south of France, where she has been a key figure for Lyon, to return to her native country and join the newly created Denver Summit midway through their inaugural season. The move marks the end of a remarkable transformation that began when Heaps first arrived in Lyon in January 2022.
When Heaps first stepped onto French soil, she was a relative newcomer to European football, still finding her footing in a league that boasts some of the world’s best talent. Over the past two years, she has evolved from a "baby" in the squad to the skipper of the world’s second‑ranked national side, while also serving as a visible ambassador for American talent playing overseas. Her progress has not gone unnoticed; the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has expressed genuine concern about losing its top homegrown players to clubs across the Atlantic. In the most recent United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) roster, seven players were based in Europe—five in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) and two, including Heaps and teammate Lily Yohannes, at Lyon.
Heaps explained that while the distance from home can be daunting, the years she spent in France have been among the most rewarding of her career. "You’re training and playing alongside the best players on the planet," she said. "I wanted to prove to myself that I could compete at that level, and I also wanted to show young girls back in the United States that such a path is possible." She highlighted the growing trend of American players seeking opportunities abroad, noting that the visibility of US athletes in England, France and other European leagues is a sign of progress for the sport. Her journey began long before she ever set foot on a professional pitch.
Growing up in Colorado, Heaps spent countless afternoons playing American football in her backyard with her older brother, encouraged by parents who were both accomplished runners. Those early contests helped her develop confidence and a willingness to try new challenges. "I was a very shy, timid girl," Heaps recalled. "Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but my parents, my brother, and later my mother, who coached my first youth team, gave me the push I needed." By the age of five, she was already forming friendships with other girls on the field, a social connection that bolstered her self‑esteem and set the foundation for a lifelong passion for the game.
Without those formative experiences, Heaps believes she might never have reached the heights she enjoys today—no captaincy, no stint in France, perhaps not even the confidence that sport has instilled in her. Her story dovetails with a recent initiative by Arsenal Women, Lyon’s upcoming opponents, who have partnered with Unilever’s "Dirt Is Good" campaign to inspire girls to play outdoors.
The campaign’s research revealed that one in five UK children lose interest in outdoor play by age eight, and one in ten never engage in regular outdoor activity. Arsenal’s community outreach, combined with Heaps’s own advocacy, aims to close that gender gap. Tati Lindenberg, chief marketing officer of Dirt Is Good, explained to Sky Sports, "Girls are 22 percent less likely to play outside than boys, and many view getting dirty as a ‘boys’ activity.’ Yet playing outdoors nurtures confidence, resilience and creativity—qualities essential for personal development." Heaps resonated deeply with this message, recalling how her own childhood adventures in the backyard shaped her character. By the time she was a teenager, she had already been selected for U‑17 and U‑20 US national teams, catching the eye of French scouts at age 17.
Those scouts worked for Lyon, the club she would later join, but Heaps chose to finish high school in Colorado before pursuing a professional career abroad. When the opportunity arose again—this time from Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG)—Heaps faced a pivotal decision. "I had to ask myself whether staying in the United States and going to college would truly help me reach the next level," she said.
Growing up, she was fascinated by European football, even watching Barcelona matches on a 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 eventually returned to the United States to play for the Portland Thorns in 2016, largely because the USWNT at that time was hesitant to select players based abroad. After a season in Portland, the pull of Europe proved too strong, and she signed with Lyon in 2022.
Even with prior experience in France, Heaps admitted that stepping back into a new environment was nerve‑wracking. "There are always hesitations when you join a new club," she explained. "But you also draw on the confidence and leadership you’ve built over the years. That’s why I was ready to take the leap again." Heaps’s departure this summer will see her return to the United States with a wealth of experience, memories, and a legacy that demonstrates the value of taking calculated risks.
Her story serves as a blueprint for aspiring players: embracing discomfort, seeking elite competition, and using personal platforms to champion broader causes, such as encouraging girls to play outside and pursue their dreams without fear. Beyond the pitch, Heaps plans to stay involved in community outreach, leveraging her profile to support initiatives that promote physical activity and confidence among young women.
Her move to Denver Summit will not only bolster a fledgling team but also provide a new stage for her to mentor emerging talent, sharing the lessons she learned from backyard games in Colorado to championship battles in France. In summary, Lindsey Heaps’s career arc—from a shy child playing football with her brother to a world‑class captain leading the USWNT and now returning home to inspire the next generation—exemplifies perseverance, adaptability, and the power of role models. As Arsenal prepares to face Lyon this weekend, the narrative of Heaps’s journey underscores the broader evolution of women’s soccer, where transatlantic moves, community campaigns, and personal storytelling intersect to shape a more inclusive and ambitious future for the sport.