John Franklin Heaps, better known as Jay Heaps, is an American former soccer player who currently serves as president and general manager of Birmingham Legion FC. He is a former head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer. After a successful college career at Duke University, Heaps spent his entire professional playing career in Major League Soccer, initially with Miami Fusion, and then with New England Revolution, for whom he made over 250 appearances in all competitions. Towards the end of his career Heaps also played with the United States men's national soccer team, earning four caps at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was coach of the New England Revolution from 2011 to 2017. He was also part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winning 2007 roster and was part of the 2008 North American SuperLiga winning roster. He was on the Miami Fusion team from 1999 to 2001. He then played for the New England Revolution from 2001 to 2009. He won Defender of the Year in 2009 for the New England Revolution.
After graduating from Duke, Heaps was drafted second overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft by Miami Fusion, and was named MLS Rookie of the Year after playing 2511 minutes for the team in midfield and defense. In his second year, Heaps was named an MLS All-Star, while registering 5 goals and six assists for the Fusion. Before the 2001 season, he was traded to the New England Revolution in exchange for Brian Dunseth. In the 2006 MLS Cup Championship, his penalty kick was saved by Pat Onstad, winning the championship for the opposing Houston Dynamo. Heaps announced his retirement from the game on December 3, 2009.
International
As of February 2009, Heaps had played more MLS matches than any other American player who had not received a cap for the United States. On June 25, 2009, Heaps received his first call-up for the United States for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. On July 11, 2009, Heaps made his debut with the United States against Haiti.
On November 14, 2011, Heaps was named the head coach for the New England Revolution, replacing former Revolution coach Steve Nicol whose contract was not renewed following the 2011 Major League Soccer season. In the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons, the results of this change appeared positive, with each year after the first showing improved results. In 2014, the Revolution made it to the MLS Cup – thanks in part to midseason signing Jermaine Jones – narrowly losing to the LA Galaxy. However, in 2015, the team was eliminated from playoff contention in the knockout round, and in 2016, they failed to qualify entirely. As of July 21, 2017, the team sits 10th out of 11 in the Eastern Conference, with SportsClubStats.com offering a 7% chance of the team making the playoffs. This has led to speculation that Heaps is or should be facing removal as head coach. On September 18, it was reported first on Goal.com that Jay had been fired by the New England Revolution and that his spot would be filled in by assistant coach Tom Soehn.
