Denver Summit FC, the newest expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), has made a significant splash ahead of its inaugural 2026 season by signing United States Women's National Team (USWNT) captain and Colorado native, Lindsey Heaps. The club officially announced the signing on January 12, 2026, marking a defining moment for the franchise and signaling their ambition to compete at the highest level.
Heaps, a 31-year-old midfielder, will join Summit FC in June 2026 after completing her season with Olympique Lyonnais (OL Lyonnes) in France. She has signed a four-year contract that will keep her in Denver through the 2029 NWSL season. Her arrival is highly anticipated, though she will miss the first half of the season.
"I'm incredibly excited to come home to Colorado and join Denver Summit FC," Heaps said. "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."
Heaps's return to her home state is a significant coup for Denver Summit FC. Born and raised in Golden, Colorado, she expressed interest in playing for a Denver-based NWSL team after the league announced its expansion to the city in January 2025. "There's just so much joy and happiness knowing that there's a professional women's soccer team in Denver, and now that I get to be a part of it, it's just such a special feeling,” Heaps told USA Today.
Denver Summit FC General Manager Curt Johnson described the signing of Heaps as a "defining moment" for the club. "She represents the very highest level of excellence as a player, a leader, and a professional," Johnson stated. "To welcome her back home to Colorado and to have her help shape the identity of this club is incredibly meaningful."
Heaps brings a wealth of experience and accolades to Denver Summit FC. She has made 170 appearances for the USWNT, winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, a 2024 Olympic Gold Medal, and a 2020 Olympic Bronze Medal. Before joining Lyonnes in 2022, she played for Portland Thorns FC, where she won the 2017 NWSL Championship, two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the NWSL Challenge Cup (2021), earning NWSL MVP honors in 2018. During her time with Lyonnes, she won four Division 1 Féminine titles, a UEFA Women's Champions League title, and the Coupe de France Féminine.
Heaps began her professional career at age 18 with Paris Saint-Germain. In 2016, she returned to the United States to play for the Portland Thorns. In 2022, the Thorns loaned her to Lyon, and later allowed her permanent transfer to the team.
Heaps is not the only notable signing for Denver Summit FC. Other players who have joined the team include Ally Watt, Kaleigh Kurtz, Abby Smith, and Megan Reid. The team will be coached by Nick Cushing, formerly the head coach of Manchester City.
Denver Summit FC will play its inaugural home match on March 28th at Empower Field at Mile High. While Empower Field holds 76,000 seats, the team will transition to a temporary ground opposite the team's permanent training ground. The team plans to debut a 14,500-seat stadium by 2028.
The ownership group for Denver Summit FC is led by Rob Cohen and includes Mikaela Shiffrin and Peyton Manning. The team's crest features a red sky and yellow sun, emblematic of Colorado's sunsets and red rock formations, and green mountains angled at 26º to commemorate the year 2026.
The addition of Lindsey Heaps is expected to have a significant impact on Denver Summit FC, both on and off the field. Her leadership, talent, and experience will be invaluable as the team embarks on its first NWSL season. The signing also demonstrates the growing appeal and investment potential of the NWSL.
