BY MEGAN SCHRADER
MSCHRADER@DENVERPOST.COM / @MEGANSCHRADER

Almost a year ago, I quipped in an op-ed celebrating the Denver Summit FC that it wasn't like Lindsey Heaps, a captain for the U.S. Women's National team, was coming home to play anytime soon.

"Mallory Pugh Swanson, of Highlands Ranch, just leaped ahead of her national teammate, with a record-breaking $2 million contract for four years with the Chicago Red Stars. And Lindsey Horan (Heaps), of Golden, may be getting paid in Euros at the moment, but she’s also estimated by Forbes to be raking in $1.5 million annually between her on-field and off-field activities.

"These 2024 gold medalists aren’t breaking their contracts to come home to Denver anytime soon, but it’s the promise and excitement of having a Colorado team to root for, to inspire the next generation of athletes, and of more opportunities for more women as the league expands with 2 million attendees last year and a $240 million broadcast contract."

Global soccer star and Golden native Lindsey Heaps signed with Denver Summit FC on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, ahead of the club's inaugural season in the NWSL. (Courtesy of Justin Tafoya, Clarkson Creative/Denver Summit FC)

I'm thrilled to admit that I was dead wrong. The Denver Post reported that Heaps is indeed coming home to play for Denver Summit. I 'll happily eat my words if the result is Heaps wearing Summit green for our team's inaugural season. I was wrong. The Summit is gearing up to be competitive from its inaugural season and I am here for it.

If you've never watched Heaps dominate the midfield and control the game with her precision passes and threat to the net, then you are missing out on one of Colorado's best home-grown athletes. Her inspired plays helped bring home the gold in 2024, and the star told The Denver Post that her eyes are on 2027.

“And I looked at the next few years and I looked at my goals, and I wanted to make sure that it was the right opportunity for me to put myself in the best place possible to hopefully make a World Cup roster (in 2027) as well. I knew that I needed a good coach, I needed a good environment. And so hearing (Cushing) announced as coach obviously made me very excited,” she said.

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