He is the unofficial mayor of Columbus and the way people in these parts complained lately about the snow and ice removal on the streets, Frankie Hejduk would probably win in a landslide over Columbus Mayor (and ardent Crew supporter) Michael Coleman if the election were held today.
Hejduk represents the hard working image of the MLS Cup champions in a city that's part blue-collar, part white-collar and all supporting of any winner.
The Crew captain is not only for the people, he is among the people. Who can forget the YouTube video of a suspended (yellow card accumulation) Hejduk tailgating in the Crew Stadium parking lot before a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy in September? That image prompted a paper in the United Kingdom to wonder why captains of so many Premiership teams are so stodgy and aloof from their supporters compared to Hejduk.
U.S. Soccer has a video on its website of Hejduk hanging with the fans at a pub in Columbus while they cheer the Yanks during their match against Sweden last month.
While Hejduk, 34, will always be known as a California surfer dude, he has made Columbus his second home with his wife, Elissa, and 13-month-old son Coasten.
However, if national team coach Bob Bradley starts Hejduk on Wednesday in the opener of the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying against Mexico at Crew Stadium it won't be for sentimental reasons.
Hejduk will have earned his spot at right back through his exceptional play for the Crew last season, including the final goal in a 3-1 win against New York in the MLS Cup, and a wealth of international matches (81 caps, six goals).
He's played in five matches against the Mexicans since 1998 and has two goals.
"Throughout qualifying we've relied heavily on a core of veterans," Bradley said. "In the first game of a final round against a rival like Mexico, I think that kind of experience will be very, very important."
Hejduk is glad the match is in Columbus, where the U.S. defeated Mexico in qualifiers by 2-0 scores in 2001 and 2005. In the first match -- dubbed "La Guerra Fria" (The Cold War) because the kickoff temperature was 29 degrees on a bitter Feb. 28 night -- he sat on the bench but four years later was on the field as the U.S. clinched a spot in the 2006 World Cup.
Either he or Marvell Wynne of Toronto FC will be in the first XI on the backline Wednesday.
"As a competitor and as a professional you always want to be out there playing and starting," Hejduk said. "My job is to make it as hard on the coaches as I can and be in that position. At the end of the day it's their call and as a player you respect whatever decision they make. I'm here for the team as we all are. It's a great group of guys and we're really looking forward to it because these are the games you want to play in."
Bradley allowed Hejduk to stay home the first three weeks of the training camp in Carson, Calif., but his presence at training in the week prior to coming to Columbus was felt.
"He's so willing to share what he knows and is so easy to talk to you can't help but pick up some good advice," midfielder Sacha Kljestan of Chivas USA said. "Frankie brings a lot of experience and stories to the younger players."
One of those is Crew teammate Robbie Rogers. The midfielder and Wynne are the only two on the 20-man roster not to have prior qualifying experience with the full team.
"Frankie's helped me a lot. He's been in so many big matches throughout his career," Rogers said. "He's played here in Columbus for the national team and tells me what an awesome experience it is."
Hejduk has seen the passion grow in Columbus since joining the Crew in 2003. It exploded in 2008 when the Nordecke supporters section was formed in the northeast corner of the stadium. The Crew didn't lose an MLS match the final five months of the season and the raucous fandom was a factor.
"Dude, it's going to be rockin' Wednesday," he said. "You've not only got our supporters in the Nordecke, who are second to none, but throw in Sam's Army and there's going to be a lot of Mexican supporters chanting as well.
"We've done well here in the past and it's like we said this last season (with the Crew), 'This is our fortress.' We want to protect it. We've done well here and the crowd is behind us."
While many on the U.S. side were hoping for another freeze out to make the Mexicans as miserable as they were in 2001, the temperature should be in the 50s, although thunderstorms and high wind are in the forecast.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the perspective, the cold air (high of 41) doesn't return until Thursday. Hejduk is of the belief that Mexicans' non-success in Crew Stadium will be more important than the elements.
"I think it's in the back of their minds because all of their press is constantly talking about it," he said. "I think it is in their minds a little bit but once the whistle blows it's a different ball game. We're going to leave everything on the field as we've done in the past and we're going to battle. We're going to fight for our country."
It's Hejduk's goal to make Columbus a red, white and blue-collar city on Wednesday.
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
