Lindsey Heaps concluded her European journey with OL Lyonnes in disappointment, as a goal she believed would open the scoring in the Champions League final against FC Barcelona was ultimately disallowed, marking her final appearance in the competition before her move to Denver.
Just three weeks prior, Heaps had experienced a similar moment of anticipation when she thought she had quickly put OL Lyonnes ahead against Arsenal, only for VAR to intervene, though without impacting the positive outcome of that particular match. In Oslo, the American midfielder once again endured an an emotional rollercoaster. Around the fifteen-minute mark, Heaps confidently followed up on a deflected header from Wendie Renard, believing she had given her team the crucial lead. Many shared her conviction, but once more, video assistant referee technology stepped in, ruling the goal out for offside by mere centimeters. This marginal decision dramatically altered the potential trajectory of the Champions League final, denying OL Lyonnes and Heaps a potentially far more celebratory conclusion.
“Proud to have been part of this club”
As the final whistle blew, the Lyon number 10 visibly felt the weight of the moment. Beyond suffering her second continental final defeat since 2024, this also marked her farewell to the prestigious competition. With her impending move to Denver this summer, Lindsey Heaps had undoubtedly hoped to cap her tenure with a second European title, adding to her 2022 triumph. However, this aspiration remained unfulfilled for the American national team captain. “Football is football, and sometimes things just don’t go your way,” she reflected post-match. “I’ve played in many finals, won some, and lost others. All credit goes to Barça; they are one of the best teams globally, and it’s always a challenge to compete against them. Most importantly, I am incredibly proud of our team, proud of this club, and proud to have represented OL Lyonnes.”
Lindsey Heaps now has one remaining fixture with OL Lyonnes – a Friday encounter against Paris FC – offering her a final opportunity to conclude her impactful time in Lyon with a potential ninth title.
