For USWNT star Lindsey Heaps, transfer to Denver Summit marks welcome return home

Key Points:

• Lindsey Horan, captain of the U.S. women's national soccer team, is set to debut for Denver Summit FC, the NWSL's newest expansion team, marking a full-circle moment as she returns to her home state after a groundbreaking career overseas.
• At 18, Horan became the first American woman to skip college and sign professionally abroad, joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2012 when professional women's soccer opportunities in the U.S. were scarce.
• Horan's decision to go pro early paved the way for teenage players in the NWSL, influencing changes that now allow younger athletes to join the league, with stars like Olivia Moultrie following in her footsteps years later.
• Denver Summit FC's establishment in 2024 created a unique opportunity for Horan to return home, where she will bring leadership and experience to the new team while aiming to continue her international career ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
• Horan's journey reflects deep family support and personal resilience, overcoming early challenges abroad and body-shaming, with her return to Colorado symbolizing both a personal and professional milestone.