'It motivates you' – Lindsey Heaps on overcoming Champions League heartbreak, the influx of USWNT talent in Europe and giving Emily Fox 'crap' ahead of Lyon's semifinal clash with Arsenal

The 30-year-old could become the first American to be crowned a European champion twice – but OL need to overcome Gunners

When Lyon make the short journey to London this week to take on Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals, Lindsey Heaps is going to be put in a position she’s not all that familiar with. That’s not related to the pressure, the difficult opponent or the big crowd set to be rooting against her side. No, it’s because there will likely be another American lining up against her.

Oftentimes over the years, Heaps has been one of just a few members of the United States women’s national team playing abroad, if not the only one. She’s long been an advocate for others to follow suit, to enjoy a different experience to that of the NWSL, and many are doing exactly that now, with the Arsenal pair of Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger two of 11 USWNT internationals in Europe.

“[It’s] so cool, so exciting and also very special for me, because these moments don’t happen a lot,” Heaps said this week. “This past camp, I was giving Foxy as much crap as I possibly could and trying to just chip at her a little bit. It's really cool to see her thriving in that environment. I love the way Arsenal play. I really respect the team in general and to see her go and make that big move and play well and be a very impactful player for the team, I think that's really special for me to see as a [USWNT] captain. I want all of my players to be doing well – just not this weekend, I hope!”

Getty ImagesNo longer the lone wolf

It might not have been a common occurrence for Heaps to face her compatriots over the years, but it’s becoming more frequent now. Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon's biggest rivals for the league title in France, have three Americans on their books this year, in Korbin Albert, Eva Gaetino and Crystal Dunn, while OL’s potential Champions League final opponents, Chelsea, also have a trio of USWNT stars, made up of Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel.

“When you play a lot of time in the NWSL, like I did, I wanted a different challenge,” Heaps said, asked what she believes has enticed so many players across the pond as of late. “It wasn't anything against the NWSL, but I wanted to come play in the Champions League again, I wanted to play for a big club like this. I think I just needed a different kind of challenge. Maybe that's also what these players felt. Speaking with Nay, speaking with Jenna, speaking with Foxy, that's what they need. That's what they needed at the time.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesChampions League front-runner

After returning to the U.S. to join the Portland Thorns in 2016, following a four-year stint with PSG, Heaps has been back in France for the past three years, helping Lyon to win seven major honours in that time – including the Champions League in 2022. She’s one of just five Americans to lift the UWCL trophy, and should she help Lyon go all the way again this term, she’d become the first to do so twice.

There’s reason for her and Lyon to be optimistic about their chances of success, too. OL have been mightily impressive this term, with head coach Joe Montemurro making a strong start after replacing Sonia Bompastor last summer, when the Frenchwoman departed for Chelsea.

Lyon have won all eight of their Champions League outings this term, with a 6-1 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals sending a huge statement to the rest of Europe as this competition nears its climax. There have been a number of star performers at the heart of such success, with Heaps describing Melchie Dumornay as “one of the best players in the world” amid her outstanding displays. Indeed, the 21-year-old deserves to be in the Ballon d’Or conversation this year. “The things that she can do, it's incredible,” Heaps remarked.

Getty Images SportEnjoying 'freedom and fluidity'

Heaps herself has been right up there as one of Lyon’s best players this term, too, thriving in a Montemurro system that, in his own words, has given players “a little bit more freedom and fluidity”. The 30-year-old is certainly happy with that, praising the “very good” job the new boss has done so far. “I think when you have that bit of freedom and you have that feeling, it brings a lot of confidence,” she added. “I think for a midfielder in general, that's what you want. You don't like being put in a box.”

The feeling is mutual, with Montemurro thoroughly enjoying working with Heaps. “The beauty of it is that she wants to excel as a player. She wants to be better. She wants these little details, these little things that she knows can bring her game to the next level,” he explained.

“We've just really homed in on just where she can be more effective, where she can be a little bit better in certain areas, homed in on, probably, habits that could make her better. I've never met someone that loves the game so much and just wants to be here every day to learn and be better, not for herself, for her team-mates. It's just a pleasure every day working with her.”

Getty ImagesReady for a big occasion

Amid that evident cohesion between player and coach, Heaps has racked up some impressive numbers this season, with 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions for Lyon to date. It’s form that she’ll be keen to keep up as the pressure is ramped up this weekend, with the first leg of that Champions League clash with Arsenal to come on Saturday.

It promises to be a big occasion. Montemurro was head coach of the Gunners for four years, guiding the club to its most recent Women's Super League title in 2019, adding another element to a fixture that already has a lot riding on it as a European semi-final that will take place at an iconic ground like the Emirates Stadium.

It should be an entertaining affair, too. Both of these teams like to play the game in an attractive way and Arsenal’s style certainly pleases the eye of Heaps, who didn’t hold back in her praise for the Gunners this week. “They have such incredible players and individuality, the uniqueness of some of their individuals, that's very exciting for a team, but then also the team play is very good,” she said. “I rate them very highly, I respect them so much, so I think that's what makes this game very exciting.”