Pros

Defensive duo are happy to let their play do the talking By Andrew Hush
November 5, 2005


Every great team has them. There they are, day in, day out, doing their jobs. The unsung heroes, without which the superstars could not function. The Revolution has had a season to remember, as the goals of Taylor Twellman and co. up front have been supplemented by sublime play from Clint, Shalrie and the rest in midfield. Michael Parkhurst has displayed form in his rookie season that most veterans would be proud of.

Jay Heaps (L) and Joe Franchino (R) (Photo courtesy of Chris Aduama-Photoplay)

Yet for all of the acclaim that the more ‘well-known' players receive, ask coach Steve Nicol who he sees as key players on his side and you can bet that two of the first names that he mentions will be Jay Heaps and Joe Franchino. Two men from opposite ends of the land, who were born six days apart in August 1976 and who, very quietly, have offered the Revolution the stability in a defense that has shone so much this season.

The duo may be overlooked when it comes to all-MLS teams but they are invaluable to the coach, who himself played a similarly quiet but effective role in the great Liverpool sides that contained the star power of Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and John Barnes. Additionally, the coach sees much more in Heaps and Franchino than just their ability with the ball at their feet:

“They are very underrated. I don't think people give them enough credit for the way they play and what they try and do. For me, they are two great leaders on the team. When you are on the field and things are going against you, they are two guys that you want on your side. Put their ability on top of the leadership and all the other things that they bring to the table and, for a coach, they are great.”

Heaps was drafted originally out of Duke University by the Miami Fusion but was traded to the Revs in 2001, where he soon made a spot in the defense his own, alongside Franchino, who was a Revs selection in the 2000 draft. Since then, the pair have become stalwarts of a backline, which, this year, has collected ten shutouts. Despite this consistent form and given the explosive potential of the more attacking players, the defense seems to have been taken for granted at times. However, says Heaps, that's fine with them:

“It's one of those where we're just kind of grinding it out there at the back and we don't want to change that. Joey and myself pride ourselves on getting in there every day. The motivation comes from trying to stop their team and that's enough for us.”

“I know my role on this team and it is to go out there and support my teammates and work hard,” adds Franchino. “I think team defense starts from the guys up top and our midfield closing people down. That makes it easier on us. Matt Reis has been standing on his head all year. I know I'm not a superstar, I'm just happy to be a part of all this.”

“I think we have found a good rhythm,” believes Heaps. “Michael (Parkhurst) is a sweet defender, he doesn't dive in. He leaves that to Joey and I to tackle everyone and he cleans up the loose balls. It's been a good match and our midfield has done a great job of limiting the opposing teams' free run. If a guy has time to get his head up and find a guy making someone making a run then it makes it a lot harder for us.”

For Franchino, evidence of the esteem in which he is held by the Revs coaching staff comes when it is noted that he has been club captain since 2002. He may be modest about the role himself, but there can be no doubt the influence he has on the field and in the dressing room, as he attempts to set the right example, not only through his words, but also his actions:

“There are a lot of leaders on this team so I still don't understand why (Steve Nicol) put me there. I just go out there and give my heart and play hard and support my teammates. I enjoy this club and the camaraderie we have with these guys.”

As their side heads into it second straight Eastern Conference final, the veterans of the post-season runs of 2002 and 2004 are set to play a key role in what they both hope will be a third-time lucky run to MLS Cup glory. There is no doubt, say Heaps, that this is the best Revolution side he has ever played on:

“From top to bottom it is definitely the best team. We went to the final in 2002 but that was a more athletic, pressurizing side. Now we know we can play. I think Steve has had that aim since he became the coach, to build a squad that can play. Now we have those guys that can dictate a game and that is what we are gong to try and do on Sunday.”

Heaps has an additional reason to be proud of the form of the team, given that he is a product of New England himself. Born in Longmeadow, MA, he always retained the ambition to play professionally in the region of his birth and being able to do so makes ‘grinding it out' all the more special:

“It was my dream to come back here and play professionally. I was given that opportunity and it's wonderful to have my family at every game. My parents can come and it's a great situation for me.

“It's interesting when I go and see club teams that let them know that I was in their shoes, literally. I think it's a good message to send home, that there's tons of opportunity if you stay with the game.”

Both men have begun to think about life after playing. As he mentioned, Heaps has been involved in visits to local clubs and he and Franchino have started to look at the prospects of getting into coaching when the time comes to hang up the cleats.

“I've picked up a lot of things from Stevie (Nicol) and Paul (Mariner), with all of their experience and the way they approach practice and games,” says Franchino. “Passing it on to the youth is fulfilling and rewarding and it is something I would definitely like to do.”

There may not be two better-qualified candidates to, one day, take up the coaching reins but, given the form and consistency of this pair of accomplished defenders, Revolution fans will be hoping that that particular day is some way off. Until then, the ‘quiet men' will likely continue to give all who watch them something to sing about.