USWNT Captain Lindsey Heaps Joins Denver Summit
In a major coup for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), US women's national team captain Lindsey Heaps has signed with the newly formed Denver Summit. The 31-year-old, who recently concluded her contract with French club Olympique Lyonnais, will play through 2029 and marks a significant addition to the league.
Born in Golden, Colorado, Heaps made no secret of her desire to return home after OL Lyonnes announced its expansion into the NWSL. With the Denver Summit set to launch its inaugural season this year, Heaps is poised to bring her expertise to the team. A five-time international winner with the USWNT, including a World Cup and an Olympic gold medal, Heaps has consistently demonstrated her prowess on the field.
"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 explained to the Associated Press. "And then hearing Nick [Cushing], how he sees football, I think that was a huge deciding factor for me as well."
Heaps' arrival comes at a time when other USWNT stars have departed for European leagues, sparking concerns about talent retention. In response, the NWSL introduced a new "High Impact Player Rule," allowing teams to exceed their salary cap by up to $1 million to attract and retain top players.
A key factor in Heaps' decision was her desire to work with coach Nick Cushing, who has extensive experience coaching high-level women's soccer. The Denver Summit also made significant strides in assembling a roster, signing defenders Ally Watt and Carson Pickett, and Kaleigh Kurtz from the North Carolina Courage.
With her impressive track record of success on both the domestic and international stages, Heaps is expected to be an integral part of the Denver Summit's success. A versatile player with exceptional aerial ability, standing at 5-foot-9, Heaps will bring a wealth of experience to the team.
Heaps' return also underscores the importance of creating an attractive playing environment for top talent. The NWSL has made significant strides in recent years, introducing new rules and initiatives aimed at promoting competition and attracting top players. With Heaps on board, Denver Summit is poised to be a force to be reckoned with in the league.
As Heaps looks to establish herself as a key figure in Denver, she hopes to foster a positive team culture that aligns with her values and standards. "I think they align with all of my beliefs in how they see the team," she emphasized. "I want this club to be a successful place and a place that everyone wants to play, that's entertaining for fans and plays good football as well."
With Heaps joining the ranks of the Denver Summit, the NWSL has secured a significant coup in the quest to attract top talent. As the league continues to grow and evolve, Heaps' arrival serves as a testament to the strength and depth of women's soccer in America.
In a major coup for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), US women's national team captain Lindsey Heaps has signed with the newly formed Denver Summit. The 31-year-old, who recently concluded her contract with French club Olympique Lyonnais, will play through 2029 and marks a significant addition to the league.
Born in Golden, Colorado, Heaps made no secret of her desire to return home after OL Lyonnes announced its expansion into the NWSL. With the Denver Summit set to launch its inaugural season this year, Heaps is poised to bring her expertise to the team. A five-time international winner with the USWNT, including a World Cup and an Olympic gold medal, Heaps has consistently demonstrated her prowess on the field.
"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 explained to the Associated Press. "And then hearing Nick [Cushing], how he sees football, I think that was a huge deciding factor for me as well."
Heaps' arrival comes at a time when other USWNT stars have departed for European leagues, sparking concerns about talent retention. In response, the NWSL introduced a new "High Impact Player Rule," allowing teams to exceed their salary cap by up to $1 million to attract and retain top players.
A key factor in Heaps' decision was her desire to work with coach Nick Cushing, who has extensive experience coaching high-level women's soccer. The Denver Summit also made significant strides in assembling a roster, signing defenders Ally Watt and Carson Pickett, and Kaleigh Kurtz from the North Carolina Courage.
With her impressive track record of success on both the domestic and international stages, Heaps is expected to be an integral part of the Denver Summit's success. A versatile player with exceptional aerial ability, standing at 5-foot-9, Heaps will bring a wealth of experience to the team.
Heaps' return also underscores the importance of creating an attractive playing environment for top talent. The NWSL has made significant strides in recent years, introducing new rules and initiatives aimed at promoting competition and attracting top players. With Heaps on board, Denver Summit is poised to be a force to be reckoned with in the league.
As Heaps looks to establish herself as a key figure in Denver, she hopes to foster a positive team culture that aligns with her values and standards. "I think they align with all of my beliefs in how they see the team," she emphasized. "I want this club to be a successful place and a place that everyone wants to play, that's entertaining for fans and plays good football as well."
With Heaps joining the ranks of the Denver Summit, the NWSL has secured a significant coup in the quest to attract top talent. As the league continues to grow and evolve, Heaps' arrival serves as a testament to the strength and depth of women's soccer in America.
She's literally an icon on the field! I was watching her play with Olympique Lyonnais last year and she's still got that same fire 
! The NWSL is really stepping up its game by signing top talent like Heaps. It's gonna be so cool to see her bring that expertise to Denver! 
i mean who wouldn't wanna play for denver summit tho? they seem like such a cool team btw i'm def gonna be watching their games this season 
and yeah i know other USWNT stars have left for europe but i think heaps is just the kind of talent that makes you wanna stay in america 
plus nick cushing seems like an awesome coach too 
let's hope he can bring out the best in her and the rest of the team 
? like Lindsey Heaps just had her contract done at OL Lyon and she's already jumping ship 
. I'm all for talented players getting paid, but it feels like the NWSL is just trying to keep up 
. The High Impact Player Rule seems like a good start tho 
, let's see how that plays out. And omg Nick Cushing as coach? I've heard great things about him 
, hopefully he can bring some stability to Denver Summit 
. Can't wait to see Lindsey Heaps in action this season 
οΈ!
οΈ stats are out: 5-time international winner with USWNT (W) 
, 31 years old 
οΈ, height 5'9" 
. League average attendance in 2022 was 3,300, but NWSL teams have been consistently increasing their crowds over the past few seasons... 
growth rate is 10% YoY! 
The Denver Summit's debut season is expected to draw around 5,500 fans per game, which is a great start. 
Coach Nick Cushing has extensive experience coaching high-level women's soccer (W) 
with 2x Olympic gold medal and 1x World Cup win under his belt... 
Sam Kerr (OL Reign) - $250,000/year
Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit) - $225,000/year
Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage) - $200,000/year
Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride) - $185,000/year
Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars) - $175,000/year
growth is expected to continue as more teams and players join the league.
. The NWSL needs all the top talent it can get, especially with stars like Heaps making the leap back to the States 
π·ΊοΈ. One thing I'm really excited about is the new "High Impact Player Rule" - now teams have a bit more wiggle room when it comes to attracting and retaining those superstars 
. It's so cool that NWSL is trying to attract top talent and create an amazing atmosphere for women's soccer β they're doing a great job, tbh 
The signing of Lindsey Heaps with the Denver Summit is a game-changer for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It's fascinating to see how the league has addressed concerns about talent retention by introducing the "High Impact Player Rule". This move sends a clear message that the NWSL is committed to providing a competitive environment for its players. Heaps' addition also highlights the importance of investing in coaches and staff, as her desire to work with Nick Cushing was a significant factor in her decision. The Denver Summit's roster overhaul and emphasis on player development are promising signs for the team's future success. With Heaps at the helm, it will be exciting to see how the NWSL continues to evolve and grow 
nwsr needs players like her 2 help the league grow & become more competitive! 
... seems like they're trying too hard to keep up with the rest of the league by overpaying for talent 
... NWSL's gonna have to do way more than that to convince me it's a real competitor 
I was thinking she'd never make it back to the States but now we get to see her shine with the Denver Summit. The NWSL is on fire right now, and this move just proves they're serious about bringing in the best talent