FC Dallas Adds Matt Hedges in 2012 MLS SuperDraft

Published on January 12, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release

FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 12, 2012) - FC Dallas selected defender Matt Hedges with the No. 11 pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft held today at The Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo.

"We had been tracking Matt all year as he was competing for North Carolina, winning a national championship and his stock continued to rise," said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. "We were kind of surprised he was still available at No. 11. He's strong. He's got great size at 6'4" and he has really good feet, good movement, quickness and ball distribution. He's also got a little bit of a bite to him that you want in your defenders. He's going to be a really good fit for us to help bring more balance and support to the center back position."

A four-year starter, who compiled 85 starts between Butler University and the University of North Carolina, Hedges scored 18 goals and added seven assists as a defender. He was named to the NSCAA All-American First Team as a senior, leading the Tar Heels defense to a 0.69 goals against average and its second national title.

"I'm so excited to go to Dallas," said Hedges. "Dallas is a great organization and they have a great team. It's a wonderful opportunity. I think I bring a lot of the same qualities that George John has down in Dallas. I can be a good fit with their team. I just hope to work hard and be able to play as much as possible."

Hedges started all 26 games UNC played in 2011 alongside freshman and FC Dallas Academy product Boyd Okwuonu. He found the back of the net six times for the Tar Heels last season.

Major League Soccer Stories from January 12, 2012

• Midfielder Enzo Martinez Highlights Real Salt Lake's Three MLS SuperDraft Selections - Real Salt Lake
• Sporting Kansas City Selects Dom Dwyer, Cyprian Hedrick in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Sporting Kansas City
• Montreal Impact Selects Andrew Wenger as the First Overall Pick - Club de Foot Montreal
• Philadelphia Union Select Hoffman, Jordan and Gaddis in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Philadelphia Union
• Sounders FC Selects Two Players in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Seattle Sounders FC
• Crew Adds Three Players at 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Columbus Crew SC
• Toronto FC Select Luis Silva and Aaron Maund in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Toronto FC
• Timbers Select Jean-Baptiste, King in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Portland Timbers
• Earthquakes Select Generation adidas F Sam Garza at No. 6 Overall - San Jose Earthquakes
• Montreal Impact Select M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Winner Andrew Wenger with First Overall Selection in 20 - MLS
• New York Selects Fordham Goalkeeper Ryan Meara in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Red Bull New York
• D.C. United Selects Midfielder Nick Deleon Seventh Overall in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - D.C. United
• Chicago Fire Select Three Players in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Chicago Fire FC
• Houston Dynamo Select Two Players in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Houston Dynamo FC
• FC Dallas Adds Matt Hedges in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - FC Dallas
• Whitecaps FC Select Chris Estridge in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Chivas USA Select Forward Casey Townsend in MLS 2012 SuperDraft - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
• Colorado Rapids Select Tony Cascio with 14th Pick in MLS SuperDraft - Colorado Rapids
• New York Acquires 2008 MLS Best XI Forward Kenny Cooper - Red Bull New York
• Chicago Fire Select University of Louisville Defender Austin Berry in MLS SuperDraft - Chicago Fire FC
• Timbers Acquire First-Round Draft Pick, Allocation from New York for Kenny Cooper - Portland Timbers
• Whitecaps FC Select Darren Mattocks in 2012 MLS SuperDraft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• New York Red Bulls Sign Swedish Defender Markus Holgersson - Red Bull New York
• Boy Scouts of America Teams up with Major League Soccer - MLS

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.

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