North Texas SC has named Matt Hedges as the club’s newest assistant coach. The 14-year MLS veteran begins his professional coaching career after working with North Texas since late 2025.
“I am delighted to add Matt to our staff,” head coach John Gall said. “He is an FC Dallas legend who brings a stalwart mentality that made him so successful during his playing days. He’s a highly decorated player, the club’s all-time appearance leader, a three-time MLS All-Star, MLS Defender of the Year, U.S. National Team player, Gold Cup winner, collegiate All-American and national champion, MLS Supporters’ Shield winner and U.S. Open Cup champion. He’s humble, hardworking and has a real desire to help players grow. We just added a gem.”
Former FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja named Hedges club captain in 2014 at age 23, making him the youngest captain in team history. Hedges led Dallas to Western Conference regular-season titles in 2015 and 2016 and captained the team to its first MLS Supporters’ Shield and its second Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in 2016.
“Matt’s pedigree speaks for itself, but what excites us most is how his experience translates directly to our players’ development,” General Manager and Vice President Matt Denny said. “He understands the daily habits, accountability and mentality required to grow from a young professional into a top-level player. We’re proud to be part of the next step in his soccer journey and know his influence will be a tremendous asset to our environment.”
FC Dallas selected Hedges 11th overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He made his professional debut on April 5, 2012, in a 1-0 win against the New England Revolution. Hedges set the club rookie record with 28 appearances and scored three goals, a mark later surpassed when Logan Farrington logged 29 appearances in 2024.
Hedges continued to build his legacy in Frisco by earning MLS Best XI honors in 2015 and 2016. He became the only player in club history to win MLS Defender of the Year, capturing the award in 2016. He was also named FC Dallas Defender of the Year from 2014-16 and in 2018. From 2017-19, Hedges earned three straight MLS All-Star selections and was named FC Dallas’ Most Valuable Player in 2018. After 11 seasons, the longtime captain departed as the club’s all-time leader in appearances (349) and goals scored by a defender.
Hedges signed with Toronto FC before the 2023 MLS season, then returned to Texas later that year in a trade to Austin FC, where he played through the end of the 2024 season. On Oct. 2, 2025, he signed a one-day contract with FC Dallas to retire, officially concluding his distinguished MLS career.
Internationally, Hedges represented the United States, earning his first senior call-up in January 2015 and debuting on Feb. 8, 2015, against Panama. He earned five caps and helped the U.S. win the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Before turning professional, Hedges grew up in Carmel, Indiana. He played three seasons at Butler University and one at North Carolina, earning Horizon League Defender of the Year honors as a sophomore and junior and ACC Defender of the Year as a senior while helping UNC win an NCAA championship.
