31 Facts About Frankie Hejduk

Frank Daniel "Frankie" Hejduk was born on August 5,1974 and is an American former soccer player who played as a wingback and midfielder.

Frankie Hejduk represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.

Frankie Hejduk attended San Dieguito High School where he played on the boys' soccer team.

Frankie Hejduk was a member of the powerhouse La Jolla Nomads Soccer Club which won the California state youth championship in 1989,1990 and 1991.

Frankie Hejduk spent three seasons, 1992 to 1994, as a defender on the UCLA Bruins soccer team.

Frankie Hejduk was named an NCAA second-team All-American his junior year.

In 1997, Frankie Hejduk established himself on the Mutiny defense, playing 22 games and registering one goal and six assists.

Frankie Hejduk did much of the same in 1998, registering three goals and one assist with the team over 18 games while missing significant time while playing in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Frankie Hejduk remained with the Mutiny through the end of the 1998 season then joined Leverkusen in January 1999.

Frankie Hejduk started ten of the last eleven games, helping the team earn a place in the UEFA Champions League.

Frankie Hejduk then signed for an additional year at Gallen but made only seven appearances with the first team, losing his spot as the season progressed.

Unable to find playing time in Europe, Frankie Hejduk returned to the United States and Major League Soccer for the 2003 season, where he was allocated to the Columbus Crew.

Frankie Hejduk immediately found a spot as team leader right back for the Crew, and went on to start 23 games for the team that season, assisting on four goals.

Frankie Hejduk played a similar role at right back and right midfield in 2004, starting 19 games and scoring two goals for a club that won the MLS Supporters Shield.

On December 15,2010, Frankie Hejduk was selected by Sporting Kansas City in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry draft, and subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy later the same day.

Frankie Hejduk played six first-team games and another five games with the Galaxy reserve team.

At season's end, Los Angeles declined his 2012 contract option and Frankie Hejduk entered the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft.

Rather than having microfracture surgery on his ankle and additional surgery to repair a broken wrist, Frankie Hejduk officially announced his retirement from professional soccer on April 19,2012, opting to accept a position in the Crew front office.

Frankie Hejduk was a frequent starter for the US Men's National Team, and is the only individual to have represented the US in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games and the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals tournaments.

In 1990, Frankie Hejduk spent time on the US U-17 national team, but was not selected for 1991 U-17 World Cup.

Frankie Hejduk received his first cap for the United States August 30,1996, against El Salvador.

Frankie Hejduk became a regular on the US team but became known for his lackadaisical "surfer" approach to his game.

Frankie Hejduk held onto it to play an important role for the United States in the 2002 World Cup, starting four games from a left back position.

On May 2,2006, Frankie Hejduk was named to his third successive US World Cup roster for the tournament in Germany, but was replaced after suffering a torn ACL.

Frankie Hejduk did not retaliate, and Ramirez was not reprimanded nor apologized.

Frankie Hejduk was not named to the US National Team's preliminary 2010 FIFA World Cup roster, when it was released on May 11,2010.

Frankie Hejduk is a fan of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Frankie Hejduk is a huge fan of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley and celebrates his goals by replicating the hypnotic dances Marley did during his performances.

Frankie Hejduk gained some small notoriety in October 2008 after he showed up at a Crew supporters tailgate for a game against the LA Galaxy while serving a one-game suspension.

Frankie Hejduk is an avid surfer and was a member of San Dieguito High School's state and national championship surfing team.

Frankie Hejduk was a 1988 National Junior High School Surfing Champion and qualified for the 1989 US Amateur Surfing Team by finishing tenth overall.