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.
On June 20, 2001, Heaps was traded to the New England Revolution, along with a second-round pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for defender Brian Dunseth and a first-round pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft.[10] He made his Revolution debut the same day, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Matt Okoh in a 3-3 overtime draw against the Colorado Rapids.[11] Heaps made his first Revolution start on July 4, 2001, in a 1-1 draw against the Dallas Burn, and his home debut three days later, on July 7, in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Wizards.[11]
In 2002, Heaps made 27 appearances for the Revolution (26 starts), scoring 2 goals and recording 6 assists.[11] His first Revolution goal came on June 22, 2002, in a 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Wizards.[11] He started six matches of the Revolution's 2002 MLS Cup playoffs campaign, scoring the Revolution's only goal in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Columbus Crew on October 9 (which was also Columbus Day), giving the Revolution their first away playoff win in club history.[12] Heaps was ejected from the match in the 39th minute after a clash with Freddy García, but returned to the lineup for MLS Cup 2002.[12]
Heaps went on to become a mainstay in the Revolution backline over the next seven seasons, leading the team in minutes played and matches started in both 2003 and 2008,[11] and helping the club reach three more MLS Cup finals, all of which he started.[13] Heaps also helped the club win their first two pieces of silverware, in the form of the 2007 U.S. Open Cup[14] and the 2008 North American SuperLiga,[15] though he missed the final due to a red card in the semifinal.[16]
In 2009, Heaps was named Revolution team Defender of the Year.[11] He announced his retirement from soccer at the end of the season, on December 3, 2009.[18] In total, Heaps appeared in 304 MLS matches, and retired holding the Revolution team records for games played, games started, and minutes played, ranking in the top 10 in league history in those categories.[13]
In November 2011, Heaps was inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame.[19]
After announcing his retirement from professional soccer, Heaps joined Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, providing customized investment advice and portfolio management for ultra high-net-worth individuals.[22]
In 2018, Heaps was announced as the first president and general manager of the expansion USL club Birmingham Legion FC in Birmingham, AL.[24][25]
Coaching career
On November 14, 2011, Heaps was named as head coach of the New England Revolution,[26] replacing former Revolution coach Steve Nicol whose contract was not renewed following the 2011 Major League Soccer season.[27] Heaps recorded his first win as head coach on March 24, 2012, 1-0 over the Portland Timbers.[28] That match also featured the first goal scored under Heaps' coaching tenure, scored by Saër Sène.[28] In the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons, the results of this change appeared positive. After a year of rebuilding in 2012, Heaps led the Revolution back to the playoffs in 2013 - the team's first appearance in the MLS postseason since 2009.[29] In 2014, the Revolution made it to the MLS Cup, narrowly losing to the LA Galaxy.[30] However, in 2015, the team was eliminated from playoff contention in the knockout round,[31] and in 2016, they failed to qualify entirely,[32] but did make a run to the 2016 U.S. Open Cup final, ultimately losing 4-2 to F.C. Dallas in the final.[33] In mid 2017, the team sat 10th out of 11 in the Eastern Conference, with SportsClubStats.com offering a 7% chance of the team making the playoffs.[34] This led to speculation that Heaps is or should be facing removal as head coach.[35]
On September 18, it was reported that Heaps had been fired by the Revolution and that his spot would be filled in by assistant coach Tom Soehn.[36]
↑USLChampionship.com Staff (January 12, 2026). "Jay Heaps becomes Birmingham Legion FC Head Coach". uslchampionship.com. Birmingham, AL. Retrieved January 12, 2026. Club stalwart takes reins for 2026 season after departure of Mark Briggs to new coaching opportunity
