FRISCO - For the first time since 1996, FC Dallas had two players named to the MLS Best XI awarded to the best players at each position in Major League Soccer.
It was a well-deserved honor for captain Matt Hedges and winger Fabian Castillo, two of the key cogs in an FC Dallas team that set franchise records in wins and points en route to qualifying for the 2016-2017 CONCACAF Champions League.
As you would expect, the FCD captain gave all the credit to his teammates.
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"I think as a team, we should be proud of what we accomplished," said Hedges after Sunday's playoff exit to Portland. "We had a young team that wasn’t as experienced as some in the West and we won the conference and were goal difference away from winning the Supporters Shield. We nearly pulled it off and the heads are down but everyone should be proud of what we’ve accomplished."
Since joining FC Dallas in 2012, if there was one word you'd use to describe Hedges it would be "consistent." The center back started at least 30 games for the third-straight year while incredibly earning just four yellow cards in 2675 mintues played leading an FC Dallas defense that allowed the third-fewest goals in team history and held 13 shutouts, tied for a franchise record as well as the most in MLS this season.
For Fabian Castillo, 2015 will always be looked at as the year he broke out as arguably the best attacking winger in MLS, and perhaps the region. The Colombian earned nine goals and nine assists this season while being named to the MLS All-Star team for the first time as well as earning two World Cup Qualifying appearances with Colombia.
"It’s significant and it reflects the work of the whole group," said Castillo through a translator. "It’s great to be surrounded by the teammates that I have and everyone has been important in achieving this award."
One of the players who has had a bird's eye view of the Colombian's rise is Ryan Hollingshead who adapted comfortably to the left back role behind Castillo through the end of the season and playoffs.
"Fabian’s one of if not the best attacker in MLS," said Hollingshead. "There’s not a team who comes in here that’s not afraid of him and the amount of teams that change their lineup completely just to take care of Fabian is absurd and I’ve never seen anything like it before."
"They're both as solid as they get. What a cool accolade for them and for our team in general."