FC Dallas needs defenders and by selecting Matt Hedges with the No. 11 pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, they may have gotten the most MLS-ready one available. Hedges could very well step in for George John if he does, indeed, leave on loan. Even if John returns, Hedges should prove to be valuable depth while he develops.
His ceiling, though, might be limited. Questions linger about whether or not Hedges has the talent to be a top-notch MLS central defender. Is he really at the level of the top defenders from previous years, or is he being overrated due to the fact that there are very few good defenders in this class? He has the size that teams want at 6'4" and he's very good with the ball at his feet for a big man, but he hasn't been as dominant as a player like him probably should be at the college level.
Hedges played his first three years of college soccer for Butler before transferring to UNC. That move was probably a good one for his professional career, as the Tar Heels won the national championship while scouts got to watch him play against a higher level of competition than he faced in the Horizon League.
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