Jay Heaps. Photo/Kari Heistad
How long is the New England Revolution’s leash on head coach Jay Heaps?
Probably longer than you think, though Heaps will be in trouble if he fails to at least make the playoffs this season. That said, could certain circumstances arise whereby the Revs sack Heaps mid-season, as was the case this week when Real Salt Lake parted ways with former head coach Jeff Cassar?
Heaps and Cassar entered 2017 under similar conditions. Both of their teams have been mediocre in their respective conferences during the last two seasons. Both have had their tactics scrutinized. And Heaps—like Cassar—has struggled to get the most out of his players, who, on paper, are seemingly better than the final, on-field product.
Cassar’s early-season sacking could be a precedent the Revolution follow if things quickly head south. Through three weeks (but just two games, due to a weather cancellation) the Revolution are the only team without points in Major League Soccer. They didn’t play particularly well in their season opening, 1-0 loss to Colorado and looked credible only in spurts against Dallas last Saturday before poor second half defending turned their 1-0 lead into a 2-1 defeat.
Still, the sample size is small and the Revolution have the benefit of playing their home opener this Saturday against struggling MLS debutants Minnesota United. Anything less than a win would be disappointing and could certainly dig the Revolution into an early hole to start the season, though there is still plenty of time to right the ship.
So what of Jay Heaps, if ship isn’t righted?
To both their credit and downfall, the Revolution are patient. They have, on too many occasions to count, started seasons badly only to dominate in the late summer and fall and make the playoffs. But they also didn’t fire former head coach Steve Nicol during the 2011 season—even when it was clear midway through the campaign they weren’t making the playoffs—and instead waited until the off-season to find a new man in charge.
Keeping Nicol was a courtesy, per Revolution investor and owner Jonathan Kraft, one that would likely get extended to Heaps, no matter how bad things get.
Heaps isn’t one for distractions and probably views external talk about his job security as “noise.” That said, he’s not happy with the results and he does, genuinely, care for the club—as both a former player and its current coach. He also knows he needs to deliver.
But at some point all that “noise,” in the aggregate, will be too difficult to ignore—more for the front office than Heaps. Never mind supporters’ dissatisfaction on social media. A former player like A.J. Soares criticizing the Revolution’s choice in team captain and a respected, well-followed journalist like Rob Stone raising concerns about the club’s direction, and Sports Illustrated saying the Revs have the worst ambition in MLS are meaningful, powerful, heavy-hitting criticisms.
The Revolution’s lifeline—and Heaps’, by extension—is a turnaround in results. But if the majority of onlookers continue to criticize tactics, player development, front office staff, scouting, acquisitions, motivation, goal setting, and commitment—“noise” is no longer just noise.
Cassar got fired early in the season. Will Heaps, if results don’t change?
Probably not.
And that—not Heaps—might be the real problem.
If you want to reach Julian, email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
