Duke in the Pros: Heaps, Barnes Head to MLS Cup

DURHAM, N.C.—Led by New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps '99 and Revolution defender Darrius Barnes '08 former Blue Devils are faring well in the professional ranks. Heaps and Barnes both recently helped lead the Revs to the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the MLS Cup, beating New York Red Bulls on aggregate goals in a two-game series.

Along with Heaps and Barnes, James Belshaw and Sebastien Ibeagha have been leaders on their respective teams in Europe as those squads start to head towards a small winter break.

Jay Heaps – New England Revolution Head Coach

Heaps, in his third season as the head coach, inherited a Revolution franchise that was coming off of a 5-16-13 record and had missed the MLS Cup Playoffs in two straight seasons. A MLS veteran and Revolution legend, Heaps posted a 9-17-8 record in his first season before having a breakout year in 2013 – the team went 14-11-9 overall – en route to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since he retired in 2009.

In 2014, the Revolution currently sports a 17-13-4 overall record and finished second in the Eastern Conference. The Revs cruised past the Columbus Crew with 4-2 and 3-1 in the opening round of the playoffs and edged regular season champ Red Bulls on aggregate goals, 4-3 for a spot in the MLS Cup for the first time since 2007.

The Revolution's all-time leader in games played (243) and starts (238), Heaps holds a 40-41-21 career record and is 31-24-13 in the previous two seasons.

Darrius Barnes – New England Revolution - Defender

Barnes was drafted by the New England Revolution in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft with the 40th pick. The Raleigh, N.C., native quickly landed in the starting lineup for the Revs, starting 30 games in his rookie season. He continued to be a mainstay on the backline over the next few years before battling injuries throughout both the 2012 and 2013 season.

In 2014, Barnes has played in 22 games with 16 starts and has been on the bench for each of the MLS Playoff games. He tallied his second career goal in 2014 with a diving header against Real Salt Lake.

Barnes is one of a select few current Revolution players who has been a part of the club's turnaround from 2011 until now.

So proud of @ChrisTierney8 @KAlston30 @D_Barnes25 & @b_shuttle for staying true during tough years and being part of this #NERevs era now
— Lizz Summers (@LizzSum) November 29, 2014

@D_Barnes25 and our Bus 3 captain @Smith1067 . Thanks everyone involved with the trip yesterday. #NERevs #NERevsTrip pic.twitter.com/0EkRWKm0nA
— Tim Lambert (@tlambert1971) November 24, 2014

This is awesome! | @D_Barnes25 goes bus-to-bus to thank the fans! | http://t.co/VgeUtbCoJh | #NERevs #STAND #Roc
— Daniel Gerow (@DGerowPR) November 24, 2014

Big Big S/O to all the fans that made the trip down I-95 to support the squad today! You guys were electric! 20 busses deeeeep! #NERevsTrip #NERevs #STAND #SquadUp #WeWantTheCup

A video posted by Darrius Barnes (@d_barnes25) on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:02pm PST

Deserved shout for @D_Barnes25, who said he'd thank the supporters busses personally if they sold out. They did. So he did. #NERevs

— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) November 24, 2014

James Belshaw – Tamworth FC – Goalkeeper

Belshaw has been outstanding of late for Tamworth FC, earning two Man of the Match awards as Tamworth has gone 3-1 in its previous four outings. He most recently posted a shutout 2-0 victory over Lowestoft Town. Belshaw garnered Man of the Match recognition in a loss to Hyde FC.

3 wins on the spin in the league! Pleased with the clean sheet and another 3 points! ❤️⚽️
— James Belshaw (@jbelly31) December 2, 2014

Tuesday nights programme has plenty of @jbelly31 photos inc 2 MOM awards. Player interview is with Rob Purdie. Plenty of pics from Hed'nfrd
— Tamworth FC (@tamworthfc) December 2, 2014

Sebastien Ibeagha – Frederica FC – Defender

Sebastien Ibeagha, who is on loan to Frederica FC from AC Horsens through the 2014 calendar year, started and played the full 90 in every game since joining the club in August. Frederica recently lost 2-1 to Arhaus to finish the 2014 slate. Ibeagha's loan period is set to end in 2014 and where he will be come January is yet to be determined.

Sebastien Ibeagha and Frederica End 2014 Schedule – via Yanks-Abroad.com