In his career, Heaps has established himself as one of the league's most reliable outside backs and has been a key anchor of the Revs' defense the last few years … in 2008, played quite possibly his best season to date as a defender … possesses the speed and aggressiveness to get forward down the flank and join the attack … an effective and determined tackler and is exceptionally strong in the air ... has developed versatility as a defender, and can play as a left or right back in a three-man defense or anywhere across the back in a four-man back line … is a threat on the end of set pieces because of his tremendous leaping abilities … began his pro career as a midfielder ... an all-out player, Heaps wears his heart on his sleeve … a native son of New England who remains a fan favorite in Foxborough … tremendously active in the community and lends his name and efforts on behalf of multiple charitable causes … is the active leader in all three Revolution longevity career categories entering 2009: appearances , starts and minutes … enters 2009 ranked fifth in MLS career minutes played (25,193), eighth in career games started (274) and tied for ninth in career appearances (289) … became the first player in Revolution history to make 200 appearances (June 6 against FC Dallas) and 200 starts (July 4 at Los Angeles) for the club in 2008 … has more postseason appearances (26) than any other Revolution player … one of three Revs players who have started each of New England's four MLS Cup appearances (2002, 2005, 2006 & 2007)
2008: Started all 30 regular-season matches, and overall, made 38 appearances in all competitions (regular season, SuperLiga, CONCACAF Champions League and playoffs). Was the only Revolution player - and one of only two field players in MLS - to start and play 90 minutes in all 30 matches, marking the first time in his career he played every minute of every match in a season. Recorded one assist, on Steve Ralston's game-tying goal in the 1-1 draw with New York (June 18). The assist was his first since Oct. 7, 2006. Throughout the entire season, played left (15 gms.) and right (3 gms.) back in a three-man backline, and left (5 gms.), center (13 gms.) and right (2 gms.) in a four-man backline. Started four of the team's five matches in SuperLiga 2008. Was red-carded following the final whistle of the semifinal against Atlante (July 30), and missed the final against Houston (Aug. 5). Started both matches against Joe Public FC in the CONCACAF Champions League. Started both matches of the team's Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against Chicago in the playoffs. Moved into fifth place in MLS in minutes played on Oct. 25 against Kansas City.
2007: Started at right back in all 28 games in which he played. Left the game at Kansas City on Aug. 19 in the 45th minute with a calf injury, his first time missed because of injury in his Revolution career. He later missed games against the Red Bulls on Aug. 25 and Dallas on Sept. 15 with the same injury. Scored his first goal since June 25, 2005, when he netted the go-ahead goal at D.C. on Sept. 9 early in the second half. Started and played all 90 minutes in each of the Revs' four postseason games, including his fourth MLS Cup appearance on Nov. 18 against Houston. At the end of the season, moved into MLS' top 10 for career minutes played (22,493).
2006: A standout member of the Revs' record-setting defense that allowed just 35 goals and had a 1.09 goals against average. For the second season, played every minute of all 31 games in which he played, matching career highs in both appearances and minutes. Recorded four assists on the season, including three game-winning helpers, to rank first among Revs defenders. Assisted on Taylor Twellman's game-winning goal - and record-setting 75th career goal - at D.C. on Oct. 7. Started all four of the Revs' MLS Cup Playoff matches, playing all 420 minutes of the 2006 postseason. Established new Revs club records for appearances (160) and minutes played (14,274) during the 2006 season, and shared the New England team record for career starts (155) with Joe Franchino.
2005: Had arguably his best season as a pro. With the Revs' switch from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 system, slotted in to the right back role, effectively limiting the league's best attackers week-in and week-out. Established career highs for regular-season games played and games started (31) and minutes played (2,790). Scored one goal - a game-tying tally against the MetroStars on June 25 in the 72nd minute - and added five assists.
2004: Heaps continued to hold down his place as the starting right back in Steve Nicol's team for most of the 2004 campaign and through the playoffs. Logged 2,415 regular-season minutes in 28 appearances. Scored the Revs' first goal of the season at The Home Depot Center in the 2004 opener against the LA Galaxy.
2003: Totaled a team-best 2,579 minutes while appearing in 28 of the Revs' 30 games. The team's top scoring defender, netting three goals and adding one assist. Was shown the first regular-season red card of his Revolution career. Tied a team-high by tallying two blocks.
2002: In his first full season with the club, finished third on the team in scoring with 10 points while playing in 27 of the Revs' 28 games, primarily at right back. Scored two goals and added six assists. An integral part of a defense that posted two clean sheets in the 2002 MLS Cup Playoffs quarterfinal series against Chicago, allowing only one goal in the run of play in the entire postseason. In the Eastern Conference Final series, scored the only goal of the game in the Revs' 1-0 Game Two victory against Columbus.
2001: Returned to Massachusetts, where he grew up, in a trade from Miami on June 20 for defender Brian Dunseth. Played a total of 28 games in the season, 13 with Miami before seeing time in 15 with New England after the trade. Had four assists on the season, including three for the Revs. Made his Revolution debut on June 20 against Colorado, playing the second half as a substitute. Made his first New England start - as a defender - on July 4 at Dallas.
2000: Played 29 games, scoring a career-best five goals and recording six assists and tied for fourth on the Fusion with 16 points. Named an MLS East All-Star, playing the final 45 minutes and scoring one goal and adding one assist in the East's 9-4, come-from-behind victory. Played every minute of the Fusion's action in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Set the then Miami record for blocked shots in a season with five.
1999: Drafted with the second overall pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft by the Miami Fusion. Voted MLS Rookie of the Year, leading all rookies in minutes played (2,511) and ranking second in goals (3), points (7) and games played (29). Netted three goals and recorded one assist. Scored a goal in his MLS debut against the MetroStars on March 20. Played all 180 minutes for Miami in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against D.C.
COLLEGE: As a senior at Duke, won the 1998 Missouri Athletic Club Award as the top collegiate player, and was the NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the year that same season. Was a three-time Hermann Trophy (national player of the year) finalist, and was a four-time first-team All-ACC pick, four-time ACC All-Tournament performer and a four-time NSCAA All-South Region selection. Left the Duke program ranked third in career goals (45), fourth in career assists (37) and tied for second in career points (127). Was the Soccer America National Freshman of the Year and ACC Freshman of the Year in 1995. Earned a basketball scholarship at Duke University as a walk-on point guard, and played three-and-a-half seasons with the Blue Devils basketball team before leaving midway through his senior season to pursue his soccer career. Named one of Duke's "Top 10 Devils of the Decade" by the Duke Chronicle.
U.S. NATIONAL TEAM: Has been called into U.S. National Team camp several times, but has yet to earn a cap ... most recently called into U.S. National Team squad for the World Cup qualifier against Panama on Oct. 12, 2005 ... selected to the gameday roster for the USMNT match against Jamaica on Sept. 9, 1999 ... a former member of the Under-17 and Under-20 National Teams.
PERSONAL: Heaps and his wife, Danielle, have two children: John F. "Jack" Heaps IV (4), and Olivia (2) ... hobbies include golf, travel and movies ... his favorite non-soccer sports team is the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team and his favorite athlete is Grant Hill … his favorite vacation spots include Turks & Caicos ... favorite musical group is The Killers and his favorite TV shows are Survivor and The Amazing Race.
