United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) captain Lindsey Heaps has signed a deal to join NWSL expansion side Denver Summit.
Heaps will join up with her hometown team at the end of the 2025-26 European domestic season after four years with French giants Lyon.
The USWNT captain instantly becomes the marquee signing for the Summit ahead of their first season in the NWSL.
However, the Summit will have to start the season without the influential midfielder.
Why Lindsey Heaps has joined Denver
Lindsey Heaps, born and raised in Golden, Colorado, has returned to her home state with the Denver Summit.
The 31-year-old has decided to return to the NWSL after a successful four years with Lyon, where she won the Champions League in 2022.
Heaps told the Summit’s official website: “I’m incredibly excited to come home to Colorado and join Denver Summit FC.
“This club represents something special, not just for the league, but for this community and for the next generation of players growing up here. I’m fully committed to finishing the season strong with OL Lyonnes, and I can’t wait to begin this next chapter in Denver this summer.”
Denver Summit General Manager Curt Johnson described signing Heaps as a “defining moment” for the team.
He said: “She represents the very highest level of excellence as a player, a leader, and a professional. To welcome her back home to Colorado and to have her help shape the identity of this club is incredibly meaningful.”
HEAPS IS COMING HOME. 💚 pic.twitter.com/uMpkjLmxYj
— Denver Summit FC (@denversummitfc) January 12, 2026
Denver Summit preparing for debut season
Heaps is the latest big-name signing to join the Denver Summit ahead of their debut season in the NWSL.
Other players to have joined the Summit include Ally Watt, Kaleigh Kurtz, Abby Smith and Megan Reid.
Former Manchester City head coach Nick Cushing was named the first manager of the Denver Summit.
Meanwhile, the Summit will play their first home game at the Empower Field on March 28th.
The Empower Field at Mile High, holds 76,000 seats but the Denver Summit won’t play the full season inside the NFL stadium.
The team will move into a temporary ground which is opposite to the team’s permanent training ground in Denver.
Fellow expansion side, the Boston Legacy will play the entirety of their home games in 2026 at Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots.
The Legacy will then move to White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park the following year.
