Returning to her roots after an illustrious international career, Colorado's own Lindsey Heaps has signed with the newly minted Denver Summit FC, ushering in a wave of expertise and leadership to the fledgling squad. As reported by DenverSports.com, Heaps, a native of Golden and a figurehead of American soccer, inked a four-year contract, solidifying a triumphant homecoming for the newly minted captain of the United States Women's National Team.
Amidst the fanfare of her signing, Heaps expressed enthusiasm for her return, "I’m incredibly excited to come home to Colorado and join Denver Summit FC," she said in a statement obtained by KDVR. The Summit FC eagerly anticipates the impact the 31-year-old will have, both on and off the field. As general manager, Curt Johnson emphasized in a news statement, notable for a misuse of a comma, "Signing Lindsey Heaps is a defining moment for Denver Summit FC."
Heaps' career has not only seen her dominate the NWSL with accolades such as the league's Most Valuable Player award in 2018, but also internationally with OL Lyonnes, where she secured a UEFA Women's Champions League title, among others. Her stateside return aligns with Denver Summit's objective to shine a spotlight on Colorado's homegrown talent, as revealed by DenverSports.com. This venture also serves as a statement of intent for the expansion team as they gear up for their first competitive outing in March.
At the Summit, Heaps will no doubt assume a key leadership role, drawing on her extensive experience as the U.S. national team captain. Lindsey outlined her hopes in building the chemistry, values, and standards to make the club a successful entity, "that’s entertaining to fans and plays good football as well," according to a QCNews interview. The team's roster continues to grow, recently adding defender Ayo Oke, alongside other notable signings like Ally Watt and Carson Pickett, demonstrating the Summit's commitment to assembling a competitive and dynamic unit.
