“I don’t think it’s arguably — it is the most competitive league from top to bottom,” Emma Hayes remarked earlier, showering praise on the National Women’s Soccer League. Mind you, this is coming from the iconic coach who spent over a decade leading teams in Europe’s top-tier WSL, racking up an impressive 16 trophies along the way. And yet, despite such high praise, we’ve seen a wave of big-name stars leaving the American domestic scene in pursuit of opportunities abroad. The reason, you ask? Lindsey Heaps might just have the answer.
There was a time when the USWNT skipper herself was playing in her country’s domestic women’s soccer league. Kick-starting her career with the WPSL’s Colorado Rush, she played for French giants Paris Saint-Germain between 2012 and 2016. Heaps then joined the Portland Thorns, where she spent over five years before eventually returning to the French league—initially joining Lyon on loan, with the move becoming permanent in 2022.
Since then, the 30-year-old midfielder has enjoyed the highs of European glory. While it’s true that every player dreams of such success, the question is are there other factors at play that influence the decision—or perhaps make the process of leaving the NWSL that much easier?
Here’s what Heaps has to say: “There’s a salary cap in the NWSL,” began the midfielder while speaking to Just Women’s Sports. “And that’s an ongoing issue there that hopefully can be changed or increased, but I think it’s a factor…For players coming overseas.”
(This is a developing story…)
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