By Brooke Tunstall - CHARLOTTE, NC (Jul 8, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- More than a few eyebrows were raised when the United States National Team’s roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup was released last month and among the players was New England Revolution veteran Jay Heaps. But of all those that may have been surprised at his inclusion, none was likely more taken aback than Heaps.
“I was shocked,” Heaps said by phone from Washington, DC, where he is preparing for tonight’s game with Honduras. “Right before our (June 28) SuperLiga game, Mike Burns, our technical director in New England pulled me aside and told me ‘you’ve been invited in for the Gold Cup.’ Like I said, I was shocked, and, pretty excited.”
Heaps, who turns thirty-three on August 2nd, was one of seven uncapped players named by USA coach Bob Bradley to the Gold Cup squad but, paradoxically, is the oldest and one of the most experienced. He has played in 301 regular season Major League Soccer games - 10th all-time in League history and most for a defender. He's third all-time in minutes played behind teammate Steve Ralston and Kansas City’s Kevin Hartman.
“In talking to (Coach Bradley), one of the things he’s looking for with me is that I bring in a lot of experience and can provide leadership but also because I’m not one of his regulars can provide a lot of the energy that comes from being one of the new guys,” said Heaps, who has played all across the back line for the Revolution. “I’m here because of my versatility. I can play on either side and any role on the back.”
Heaps isn’t letting his lack of international experience keep him from being a leader on the Gold Cup squad. “It’s really hard not to,” he admitted. “It’s part of how I play now, talking on the field and encouraging guys. If it’s leadership or communication, that’s just who I am as a player.”
None of that has gotten him on the field with the US before. Another record Heaps holds is most MLS games without a cap. “I would really like to get my name off that list as soon as possible,” said Heaps. “It’s kind of like (the movie) Bull Durham where Crash Davis has the record for most minor league home runs. I mean, it’s kind of an honor because it means I’ve lasted a long time. But at the same time, it means I haven’t gotten a cap.”
After Honduras, the next US game is Saturday against Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Heaps native Massachusetts and home to his New England Revolution. Heaps admitted it would be special to play for the US there but doesn’t care if it’s his National Team debut or not. “First or second (cap) it doesn’t matter. The sooner the better,” he said. “It would be very cool, a great honor to play at Foxboro but I’m not really focused on that right now. I just want to get in the 18 and then try and get on the field.”
Heaps had chances with the US before. He was called in several times under former coach Bruce Arena, most recently against Panama in 2005. He admitted thinking his window of opportunity with the squad had closed. “It was one of those things I hadn’t thought about the last couple of years,” he said. “You have to focus on things you can control and for me that was trying to win games for Revolution and get back to MLS Cup. The National Team was always out of my control so I just wasn’t expecting” to be brought back.
It’s not like Heaps doesn’t have a pedigree worthy of international soccer. He won the Missouri Athletic Club Award for collegiate player of the year in his senior season at Duke then was the second overall pick in the 1999 MLS draft and was that season’s rookie of the year. He’s played in four MLS Cups and three US Open Cup finals winning it in 2007, and myriad international games with the Revolution, including capturing last year’s SuperLiga.
“Maybe I was overlooked a little but I never felt anything negative about it. There were always great players in camp and it’s not that I didn’t get a chance. I was in some camps,” he said. “It motivates you to keep trying on your club team. “
While most of the US players are hoping to use the Gold Cup as a springboard for future call-ups and ultimately a chance to make next year’s World Cup team, Heaps is taking a more short-term approach.
“I’m taking all this from a realistic aspect. I just want to get some experience at this level. I just want to play first,” he said. "The World Cup is so far away I’m not even thinking about it. I’ve been brought in to help in this tournament and I’ll take it one step at a time. Other chances are byproducts of this tournament. It wouldn’t be fitting to look past this tournament because I don’t have international experience. I’m just looking at it what can I do to help beat Honduras.”
Veteran sportswriter Brooke Tunstall is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, NC. He can be reached at BrookeTunstall@aim.com
