Major League Soccer announced today that FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges was named to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game in Atlanta, Ga.
It’s the second consecutive year Hedges has been named to the All-Star Game. Hedges, who was the 2016 MLS Defender of the Year, has been a consistent part of Dallas’ defense. He has appeared in over 20 games in each of his full seasons in Dallas, ever since he was drafted out of North Carolina in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. This season, Hedges has started in 14 matches for Dallas.
“I’m really excited to be apart of it,” Hedges said. “Juventus is one of the best teams in the world. It’s going to be a real fun experience in Atlanta.”
Hedges will join the rest of the MLS All-Stars as the team will take on Juventus in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Coached by Tata Martino, the team will try and end a two-year losing streak against international competition, falling to Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 two seasons ago and Real Madrid 1-1 (4-2) on penalty kicks in last season’s edition.
“The energy is going to be huge,” Hedges said. “There’s going to be a ton of people in that stadium. It holds a lot of people and they’re going to be excited. Juventus, MLS All-Stars is going to be a fun, exciting event.”