The 24-year-old central defender is off to a powerful begin for FC Dallas, one among Main League Soccer’s finest golf equipment up to now this season. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke to the up-and-coming New York native.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
April 30, 2014
11:38 AM
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THE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER season continues to be younger, however two of the most effective story strains up to now have been the turnaround of FC Dallas and the emergence of central defender Matt Hedges.
Dallas chosen Hedges with the eleventh general choose of the 2012 MLS draft, and over the course of his first two campaigns the Rochester, New York, native confirmed regular progress taking part in alongside George John in central protection. Eight video games into his third season, Hedges is displaying indicators that he could also be probably the greatest defenders within the league.
“My confidence is high,” Hedges advised American Soccer Now. “I’m hitting my stride and this is pretty much the best I’ve played in the three years I’ve been in the league. I think we have a ways to go. I can definitely improve multiple aspects of my game. There is a definite improvement that can come but I’m excited for the future.”
FC Dallas bought off to a powerful begin in 2013 however rapidly pale and finally did not make the playoffs. After the season Schellas Hyndman stepped down as coach and former Colorado Rapids coach Oscar Pareja took over. The transfer has paid quick dividends, as Dallas is off to a 5-1-2 begin and the Colombian Pareja has the staff taking part in enthusiastic, enticing soccer.
“I think Oscar has definitely had a big influence on us and he brings a really positive attitude all the time,” Hedges said. “It’s pretty infectious for the whole team. I think that is one of the main things that has changed. Last year we started strong but kind of faded in the middle. The attitude this year is way, way more positive. I’m pretty happy about that.”
And Pareja, it have to be mentioned, is fairly completely happy about Hedges. Final month, after FC Dallas cruised to a powerful 3-1 victory over Chivas USA, Pareja singled out Hedges for his robust play and used his post-game press convention to seize the eye of U.S. nationwide staff head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
“He’s leading us,” Pareja advised reporters. “I am very completely happy. I’m going to ship slightly message right here. I believe he’s able to go and assist us within the nationwide staff. His instance on and off the sphere is excellent. His efficiency is even higher.”
“I am very happy with Matt.”
Hedges, 24, spent his adolescence in Indiana, started his collegiate profession at Butler, and later transferred to ACC powerhouse North Carolina, the place he helped the Tar Heels win the 2011 NCAA title. Regardless of his successes in school, Hedges has by no means represented america at any degree—a indisputable fact that he makes use of as motivation.
“I definitely think I have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder,” Hedges defined. “Obviously you play all those years and you think you’ve been a good player for a long time but you get overlooked by every national team—I think any player would have a chip on his shoulder if they felt that way. It is kind of motivating at the same time. You think you can play for those teams, so you want to show that.”
“I’m definitely not bitter about it because those coaches made those decisions based on who they thought was best for their teams,” he added. “I just use it as motivation. They didn’t think I was good enough so I just have to be better than I was before.”
Hedges’ success up to now this season is just not going unnoticed. As a online game fanatic, Hedges was amused to study that he not too long ago made EA Sports activities FIFA 14 Final Workforce of the Week final week, becoming a member of luminaries similar to Lukas Podolski, Raheem Sterling, and Paul Pogba.
The EA Sports activities nomination could be a slightly small award compared to different items of silverware but it surely does mirror Hedges’ clear ambition to finally make his method abroad to play within the elite leagues in Europe.
“Absolutely,” Hedges mentioned of his long-term targets. “That’s one of the plans for me. Hopefully I can get overseas in a few years and show what I’m capable of. That’s always something I’ve wanted to do in the future. It’s definitely in the works.”
For now, nonetheless, Hedges is concentrated on FC Dallas and serving to it change into one of many league’s elite groups. It at the moment sits in second place within the Western Convention and trails leaders Seattle solely on objective differential, with each groups having a league-best 16 factors by eight video games.
Final week was a little bit of a setback for Dallas, as a Thirty ninth-minute crimson card to Zach Loyd had the membership on its heels in what would finally end in a 4-1 loss to DC United. The upcoming schedule could possibly be a bellwether for FC Dallas, which is able to host defending Supporters Defend Champions New York Purple Bulls this Sunday adopted by a visit out west to face the surging Seattle Sounders.
Hedges, nonetheless, likes his staff’s possibilities.
“I think we’re one of the best teams in the league,” Hedges mentioned. “We have so many quality players all over the field. We still have guys injured coming back who are great players. We have so many different weapons.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.
