FRISCO - You get to decide who will take the pitch for the MLS All-Stars to battle with UEFA Champions League Winners Real Madrid.
Why should you vote for FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges? We can give you five reasons as to why Hedges should take the pitch against Real Madrid at Soldier Field on August 2 at 8 p.m.
1. Proven Winner
Whether it was at the college level or now at the professional level, Hedges has led teams to trophies and picked up individual awards as well. As a senior at the University of North Carolina, Hedges and the Tar Heels won the 2011 National Championship while starting 20 games. Just last season he captained FC Dallas to a U.S. Open Cup Championship and Supporters Shield while being named the MLS Defender of the Year.
2. The Captain
Hedges was named captain by Oscar Pareja in 2014. He has a leader for the club on and off the field ever since. FC Dallas has found success, making the playoffs in every year since 2014, and won two trophies in the process.
3. Disciplined
Hedges has put in over 14,000 career minutes at FC Dallas and has never seen a red card. He has only been issued 17 yellows in MLS play in his career. A level head would be very useful for the MLS All-Stars against a powerful foe like Real Madrid.
4. Making Others Better
Last season, FC Dallas was simply a better team with Matt Hedges on the pitch. The club went 13-4-9 in matches that he started, and had allowed 0.88 goals per game with Hedges in the line-up. Without? Dallas' goals against per game average rose to 2.25. If he made one of the best teams in the league better, does he not deserve your vote?
5. Club and Country
Many felt that Hedges' value to the U.S. National Team was vastly under appreciated. But he was called into Bruce Arena's camp for crucial World Cup Qualifiers against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico.
