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Long-time USMNT defender and Crew star Hejduk retires

FrankieHejdukRetires (ISIPhotos.com)

Frankie Hejduk has called it a career.

The long-time U.S. national team defender and Columbus Crew captain retired on Thursday, ending an impressive career that saw him play in multiple World Cups as well as in Europe.

Hejduk enjoyed a 16-year professional career that saw him play for the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Crew and LA Galaxy in MLS, with a stint at German club Bayer Leverkusen. He won MLS Cups with the Crew (2008) and Galaxy (2011), and won a total of five Supporters Shields.

Hejduk made 85 appearances with the national team, playing in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

What did you think of Hejduk as a player? What was your fondest moment of his playing days?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. His name is pronounced HED-ook. NOT hay-duke.

    HED-ook. That’s how it’s pronounced in the name’s native language.

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  2. I thought the 2009 dos-a-cero might have been Frankie’s best Nats game. He broke up a basketful of Mex possessions. After that game you could still make a case for him on the 2010 roster. But not much longer.

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  3. Went into the ’98 Germany game with his shorts on BACKWARDS. Journalist asked him why after game; “rally cap dude, rally cap”. There will NEVER be another Heydude.

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  4. Possibly one of the least talented footballers to ever play for the National Team…. and he can play on my squad anytime. A consummate professional, tireless worker, and the kind of teammate everyone loves. He did more with less than any player I can remember. Congrats, best wishes, and thanks for Frankie.

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  5. Fittest player I’ve ever seen in a U.S. jersey. His beep tests were legend. Sitting in the stans with the fans was quintessential Heyduk. If you don’t have a grin from ear to ear when thinking about him then something’s wrong. Surf on, Dude!!!!

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  6. This is all wrong. Of course he gave effort, but he didn’t lack skill. Saying “he hung in there” is a disgrace. “The Best with what he had” – yeah, he could shut down opponents and attack with his “jets for legs.” What the hell, do you even watch US soccer? this is absurd. I’m sorry, but the Billy Madison ‘we’re all dumber for having read this’ is applicable to this post.

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  7. He did the best with what he had, which was jets for legs and brickbats for feet. Gave us a few flashes of life in ’98, all alone out on the right wing. At one point he admitted to a journalist that he never watched soccer ’cause it bored him — and it showed in the way he played, unfortunately. But hey, he hung in there for a nice long career, and definitely accumulated a lot of effort points along the way.

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  8. To read all of the comments…amazing, he embodied US Soccer and the love he receives is well deserved. Fantastic player. Good luck, Frankie, we’ll miss you.

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