{“title”:”World Cup Hero Heaps Returns to Colorado”,”body”:”At a Glance
– Lindsey Heaps will join expansion club Denver Summit after her Lyon contract ends in July
– The 31-year-old midfielder is a native of Golden, Colorado and has long wanted to play at home
– Heaps captains the U.S. national team and won the 2019 World Cup plus 2024 Olympic gold
Why it matters: The move brings one of American soccer’s biggest stars back to the NWSL while giving Denver instant credibility in its inaugural season
Lindsey Heaps is coming home to Colorado. The Women’s World Cup winner and U.S. national team captain will join the National Women’s Soccer League’s expansion Denver Summit this summer after completing her season with French powerhouse Lyon.
Heaps, a native of Golden, Colorado, has made no secret of her desire to play in her home state since the Summit was announced as the league’s 16th team in January 2025. The club begins its first season this year.
## The Homecoming Decision
“When I first heard about the team, I didn’t really feel like it was real. I couldn’t believe that we were getting a professional women’s soccer team and in Denver,” Heaps told Jonathan P. Miller. “I didn’t want to get too excited from the get go because I didn’t know if it was a real possibility for me. And then, as conversations went on, the first thing I said, I wanted to make sure that it was the right opportunity for me.”
The decision carries personal significance beyond just playing at home. Heaps has extensive family in Colorado, and her husband Tyler Heaps serves as general manager and sporting director of Major League Soccer’s San Diego FC. The couple has been managing a transatlantic relationship during her time in France.
## Building a Foundation in Denver
The Summit has been aggressively building its roster in preparation for its debut season. Recent signings include:
– Ally Watt and Carson Pickett, both formerly of Orlando Pride
– Kaleigh Kurtz from North Carolina Courage
– Defender Ayo Oke from Mexican club Pachuca
Heaps cited majority owner Rob Cohen and coach Nick Cushing as major factors in her decision. Cushing previously coached Manchester City women and NYCFC in Major League Soccer.
“I think they align with all of my beliefs in how they see the team, how they see it becoming successful, and the investment that they’re putting in,” Heaps said. “And then hearing Nick and how he sees football, I think that was a huge deciding factor for me as well as I wanted to be with a good coach. So that was exciting.”
## A Proven Winner
At 31, Heaps brings championship experience and leadership to the expansion club. Standing 5-foot-9, she’s known for her aggressive style and aerial ability. She’ll likely assume a leadership role similar to her position as captain of the national team.
Her vision extends beyond just winning games.
“I hope to foster the chemistry, values and standards that I want this club to have for years and years, and make it a successful place and a place that everyone wants to play, that’s entertaining to fans and plays good football as well,” she said.
## From Colorado to World Champion
Heaps’ journey to soccer stardom began in Colorado but took an unconventional path. After high school, she turned down a scholarship to prestigious North Carolina and instead headed overseas to play for Paris Saint-Germain for four seasons.
In 2016, with Olympic aspirations, she returned stateside to join the Portland Thorns. The move proved transformative:
– Won NWSL title in 2017
– Named league MVP in 2018
– Became fixture on U.S. national team starting at 2016 Rio Olympics
The Thorns loaned her to Lyon in 2022, later making the transfer permanent. In 95 appearances with the French giants, she’s scored 22 goals.
## International Success
Heaps has been a mainstay for the U.S. women’s national team for nearly a decade. Her international highlights include:
– 2019 Women’s World Cup winner
– 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist
– National team captain since 2023
– Provided game-winning assist to Alex Morgan in 2019 World Cup semifinal against England
## The European Experience
While many American stars have recently moved to Europe, Heaps is bucking the trend by returning home. She believes her time in France made her a more complete player.
“The reason I left, at the time I left, was that I wanted to go experience something different. I wanted to challenge myself in a different way,” she explained. “Not negating what Portland gave me or what the NWSL gave me, but I was just like, I’d been there for six years and I wanted another challenge and I’d be remiss if I didn’t go and try to challenge myself in a different way in France again.”
## A New Chapter
The move represents a homecoming not just for Heaps, but for professional women’s soccer in Colorado. The state hasn’t had an NWSL team since the Colorado Rapids Women folded operations years ago.
For Heaps, the timing feels perfect. At 31, she brings veteran savvy and championship pedigree to help establish a winning culture from day one. The Summit hopes her presence will help attract fans and establish credibility in a competitive sports market.
The club’s inaugural season represents more than just expansion – it’s about building something sustainable that can compete with established NWSL powerhouses. Having a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist as a foundational piece sends a clear message about their ambitions.
## Key Takeaways
– Lindsey Heaps joins Denver Summit after Lyon season ends in July
– The Colorado native brings World Cup and Olympic gold medal experience
– Heaps will help establish culture for expansion club’s first season
– Move reunites her with family and ends transatlantic marriage separation
– Summit building competitive roster around star midfielder for inaugural campaign”,”meta_description”:”World Cup winner Lindsey Heaps returning to Colorado to join expansion Denver Summit after Lyon stint ends”,”categories”:[“Breaking News”,”Corporate News”]}
