NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



FC Dallas

Castillo and Hedges Named Two of MLS' Best XI

November 30, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Monday, Nov. 30) - Major League Soccer announced yesterday that FC Dallas midfielder Fabian Castillo and defender Matt Hedges were part of the 2015 MLS Best XI, which recognizes the League's top 11 players in a common soccer formation as nominated by MLS players, club management and media.

Both Castillo and Hedges were first-time selections. Castillo was one of six MLS Best XI players also named to the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. Both players have represented their respective national teams (Colombia and the U.S.).

Hedges, 25, was the third finalist for the MLS Defender of the Year honor. A cornerstone along FC Dallas' backline all season, he logged nearly 2,700 minutes in 31 matches played as FC Dallas tied for the league-lead with 13 shutouts. The club's captain played an important role as the leader of a defense that saw three goalkeepers start at least seven matches - as only two clubs conceded fewer goals than FC Dallas (39) in 2015. The fourth-year defender also scored once and added an assist.

"It's a huge honor," said Hedges. "I can't take all the credit. We have 11 guys out there that come with 110% on the field every week. They make me look good and that is part of the reason I'm there [on the MLS Best XI]."

Castillo, 23, contributed his best offensive season, having a hand in 18 goals by scoring nine and adding nine assists. Voted No. 1 in MLSsoccer.com's "24Under24" ranking in 2015, Castillo's season caught the eye of Colombia's national team as the 23-year-old made his international debut in August, and appeared in two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October.

"It's significant," said Castillo. "It reflects the work of the whole group. It's great to be surrounded by the teammates that I have and everyone has been important in achieving this award."

Voting for the 2015 MLS Best XI was conducted through write-in votes from MLS players, club leadership, and media members, with all players who appeared in a 2015 MLS regular season match eligible for nomination. The highest vote-getters from submissions formed a 3-4-3 formation: one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards.

The announcement was made on ESPN during the national broadcast of the second leg of the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship between FC Dallas and the Portland Timbers last night.

2015 MLS Best XI

Goalkeeper - Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)

Defender - Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact)

Defender - Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Defender - Matt Hedges (FC Dallas)

Midfielder - Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City)

Midfielder - Fabian Castillo (FC Dallas)

Midfielder - Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls)

Midfielder - Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC)

Forward - Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

Forward - Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew SC)

Forward - Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)

Check out the FC Dallas Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from November 30, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central