Want to hear from some of the notable names around the league? MLSsoccer.com contributing editor Alicia Rodriguez spends 10 minutes talking to some of the big names in North American soccer.
FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges is the subject of this week's 10 minutes. The 24-year-old became captain of his club this season and talks about that role, his USMNT aspirations and his recent scene-stealing turn as Napoleon Dynamite.
RODRIGUEZ: It looks like FC Dallas are going to make the playoffs this year, and it will be the first time in your professional career. As somebody who is new to the postseason, what would it mean for you to make it to the playoffs this year?
HEDGES: I think it would be huge, for me and the club. We’ve been doing very well – especially under a new coach, changes in the offseason – we’ve been playing extremely well. To get to the playoffs is not only a testament to all the guys on the team, but our coach as well. I think we’ll be very excited for it. We’re definitely ready for the playoffs, no doubt about it.
RODRIGUEZ: As you mentioned, you’re playing under Oscar Pareja this year. Tell me what it’s like to play under him — he’s one of the up-and-coming coaching talents in the league, he did really well in Colorado, and it seems like he’s doing great with Dallas — what’s it like to play for him?
HEDGES: He’s a very exciting guy, a guy who gives us a lot of confidence. He’s definitely a players' coach: He knows how to handle the players. He’s pretty fond of exciting things in the game, new tactics.
It’s a great change from what we had before, and it really shows in how we play on the field. We’re really excited to have him, and it’s awesome.
RODRIGUEZ: Pareja named you captain this season, and you took over as full-time captain midseason. What does the honor at, let’s admit it, a pretty young age, mean to you?
HEDGES: Yeah, it’s a great honor. Obviously when your coach names you captain, he shows a lot of confidence and has a lot of faith in you. I want to repay him, and I want to be a leader on the team, and I think I’ve been doing that, and I think it shows on the field. We pride ourselves in that. It’s awesome. It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of, and it’s a really cool experience.
RODRIGUEZ: You were captain when you were in college as well. Have you found being a captain different or even harder in the pros as it is in college, or is it pretty similar?
HEDGES: It’s similar, to be honest. I think there’s obviously different challenges, there’s all kinds of different ages and guys from different countries and different languages, but it’s a challenge I’ve definitely embraced. I’m learning a lot this year, and hopefully that can help us going into the playoffs and into the future.
RODRIGUEZ: There’s been talk this year that you could be playing your way onto the US national team, maybe pretty soon. Do you feel like you’re ready to make that jump up to international soccer?
HEDGES: Yeah, I think I’m 100 percent ready. I think I’ve been ready for a while. I’m just hoping to get that chance. I’ve never had any call-ups for any US team before, ever, so hopefully this one will come soon, and I’m ready to take that opportunity and run with it.
RODRIGUEZ: At this point, do you have any specific goals connected to playing for the US? Is there a tournament circled on your calendar in the future?
HEDGES: No. I think just playing to my ability and getting a first call-up and seeing what I can do from there. I have confidence in myself and my playing ability, and I think I can continue to get call-ups and work towards those tournaments. But I don’t think there’s a specific goal; just to play to the best of my ability and get better every day.
RODRIGUEZ: Have you had any contact with Jurgen Klinsmann?
HEDGES: No, not yet.
RODRIGUEZ: You’re reaching true veteran status, I’d say, as you’ve been around a few years. But is there a player around, either in MLS or maybe another league around the world, that you try to model your play after, or take inspiration from?
HEDGES: I don’t think there’s one very specific player. I just, in general, watch some of the best centerbacks in the world and see how they play and kind of model my style along the lines of how all of them play, and some key attributes from each one of them, and try to put that into my style. I don’t want to just copy one specific person. I think you try to do a lot of things well, and take those from a lot of different players, and have that be my style.
- Get more FCD news at FCDallas.com
RODRIGUEZ: I have to ask you about your recent role in FC Dallas’ “Vote for Tesho” videos (watch above). First, who came up with you playing the role of Napoleon Dynamite?
HEDGES: Actually, I think [FC Dallas Director of Public Relations] Leigh Anne Gullett came up with the idea of me playing Napoleon Dynamite. When she asked me, I immediately knew it was going to be great, because I loved that movie when I saw it, and I thought I could play Napoleon really well, and it turned out really great. I’m excited about it.
RODRIGUEZ: You said you’re familiar with the movie, so did you have to do any rewatching of the movie to get ready for the role?
HEDGES: Yeah, when we were deciding what scenes to reenact, we saw a couple videos. But after that, not really. I think I kind of just rolled with it, and I ended up doing a pretty convincing Napoleon Dynamite out of it.
RODRIGUEZ: I agree. I think you might have a future on the impersonation circuit if this soccer thing doesn’t work out. It was pretty sweet.
HEDGES: [Laughs] Thanks.
