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SportsLindsey Heaps makes Denver debut in 2-1 comeback win over former team Portland
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U.S. women's national team captain and Colorado native Lindsey Heaps made her debut for the Denver Summit on July 18, 2026, in a 2-1 comeback win over her former team, the Portland Thorns at Centennial Stadium. Heaps started, played the full 90 minutes, wore the captain's armband, and assisted the game-winning goal in the 86th minute to NWSL rookie Natalie Means, who scored her first career goal. Portland opened the scoring in the 25th minute via a penalty from Sophia Wilson, also a Colorado native. The Summit equalized just before halftime with a stoppage-time goal from Janine Sonis, another Colorado native. The win marked Denver's first points of the season when conceding first. Heaps previously spent six seasons with Portland (2016–22) and five seasons with OL Lyonnes before signing with Denver.
Source report
Jul 18, 2026; Centennial, Colorado, USA — Denver Summit FC defender Janine Sonis (6) celebrates with midfielder Lindsey Heaps (10) and teammates after her goal in the first half against the Portland Thorns FC at Centennial Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
U.S. women's national team captain and Colorado native Lindsey Heaps made her debut for the Summit on Saturday in a 2-1 comeback win over her former team, the Portland Thorns. Colorado talent was on full display in the victory at Centennial Stadium.
Heaps started the match, wore the captain's armband, played the full 90 minutes, and assisted the game-winner in her first appearance for her hometown team since signing from OL Lyonnes.
Career Background
Prior to her five seasons in France, Heaps spent six seasons with Portland (2016–2022), making 105 appearances and earning NWSL MVP honors in 2018. She helped lead the Thorns to:
- Two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021)
- The 2017 NWSL Championship, scoring the lone match-winning goal in the title match
Heaps finished her Portland career with 31 goals across all competitions.
Match Highlights
- 25th minute: Sophia Wilson (Windsor, Colo.) opened the scoring for the Thorns from the penalty spot.
- First-half stoppage time: Janine Sonis (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) equalized for the Summit. Sonis now has a career-high six goals for the season; Wilson is up to seven.
- 86th minute: NWSL rookie Natalie Means came off the bench to score her first career goal and the game-winner, assisted by Heaps. It was Heaps' 10th career NWSL assist and her third career game-winner.
Janine Sonis finds a big equalizer for Denver — National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2026
Natalie Means scores her first ever NWSL goal in impressive fashion — National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2026
Key Stat
This win marks the Summit's first points of the season when conceding first in a match. The team entered Saturday with a 0-3-0 record in such situations.
This article first appeared on The Equalizer and was syndicated with permission.
Source
Yardbarker: SoccerWestern
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Heaps makes Denver debut in comeback win over Portland