It’s funny how things sometimes work out in soccer. For most of the year, players represent their domestic sides, often igniting fierce rivalries with one or two opposition players. However, when national team duties come calling, all grievances are usually forgotten, with a special kind of camaraderie taking over like no other. Strange, isn’t it? But that wasn’t entirely the case for Lindsey Heaps, who didn’t hesitate to bring her club rivalry against USWNT teammate Emily Fox right into the national camp!

For context, both of their domestic sides, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and Arsenal Women, are to face each other in a crucial semi-final doubleheader clash of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The opening leg is set for April 19 at the Gunners’ Emirates Stadium, with the return clash taking place at Groupama Stadium on April 27.

A potential win will see either side get a ticket to the final of the competition where they will face the winner of another semifinal clash between FC Barcelona and Chelsea. Even though it’s a special moment for both USWNT stars to face each other twice as opponents, Heaps won’t be pulling any punches against Fox.

Speaking ahead of the clash set for this weekend as compiled by The Attacking Third on X, the Lyon skipper said, “[it’s] So exciting and also very special for me. These moments don’t happen a lot… I think this past camp I was giving Foxy as much crap as I possibly could and trying to just chip at her a little bit.”

Firing shots even before kickoff, eh? Clearly, Heaps wasn’t wasting any time. Even before they laced up for the big game, the 30-year-old was already throwing jabs at her fellow national teammate. Notably, it must have come in the recent April window when Emma Hayes called up her players to face Brazil in a doubleheader clash.

While the first game ended in the American ladies’ favor with a 2-0 win, Hayes and Co. endured a shocking — yet familiar — 2-1 defeat in the return match, much like their loss to Japan at the SheBelieves Cup. But the midfielder seems to have put the disappointment behind her and is locked in for the epic clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Notably, Heaps (formerly Horan) will be hoping to help Lyon secure their ninth UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy, allowing the French side to extend their record for the most wins, while also adding a second medal to her own collection, having earned her first since in 2022. Meanwhile, Fox is still chasing her first European title after joining Arsenal last year — the Gunners’ only previous triumph came back in 2007.

Hence, it’s only natural for the Lyon star to aim high. But that doesn’t mean Heaps is underestimating her upcoming opponents—or her national teammate—either.

Lindsey Heaps acknowledges ‘impactful’ Emily Fox at Arsenal

It’s not like Heaps is in a fully smug mood before the game. The veteran did acknowledge potential challenges she may end up facing Fox and Arsenal. “It’s really cool to see her [Fox] thriving in that environment and a team that, again, like I said before, 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 as well,” Heaps said as per ESPN.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star admitted that, as the USWNT skipper, she wants all her players to do well — though the midfielder jokingly hoped that wouldn’t be the case for Fox this weekend. Additionally, when asked if she’ll be having anything more to say to Fox before the game, Lindsey said, “I don’t know if I’ll be speaking with her, but maybe just a little nod when we get into the tunnel or see her on the field.”

Be that as it may, it looks like the stage is set. Notably, if you think that Lindsey’s ethical conundrum of facing a national team would end in the semi-final stage, then you’re wrong! A potential ticket to the final for Chelsea would see both Heaps or Fox face more of their USWNT fellows, including Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario, and Mia Fishel.

Before we make up our mind for that to happen, let’s see how this Lindsey Heaps vs Emily Fox battle goes. Share your thoughts as well in the comments.