FRISCO -- When FC Dallas steps on the field against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, center backs Reto Ziegler and Matt Hedges will anchor the fifth-best defense in Major League Soccer as it continues to aid the club's playoff push.

Hedges is an eight-year FCD veteran drafted from North Carolina in 2012. Ziegler began his professional career in his native Switzerland before moving to English Premier League side Tottenham at age 18. It's a tale of two different sporting cultures on two different continents.

Despite completely different backgrounds, co-captains Hedges and Ziegler have formed a partnership that is arguably one of the best in MLS, providing stability and experience for the youngest team in the league.

"Now it's our second year that we play together, we show it every weekend," Ziegler said. "I don't know what's the secret, we just know each other really well."

Ziegler was acquired in 2018 as a free transfer from Swiss club FC Sion. Signing Ziegler, who has played across Europe and in a World Cup, helped fill the gap from the departure of Walker Zimmerman, who was traded to Los Angeles FC. Hedges had chemistry with Zimmerman but had to acclimate to the Swiss international's playing style.

"The first couple of weeks, you're playing with them, trying to see their tendencies and how they step and cover and how they like to play out," Hedges said. "We kind of like to try and see what they like to do and how they like to play, and we compensate them for that. I'm sure he was trying to do the same thing, just trying to figure me out a little bit. Once you get that, it just flows."

Hedges is an aerial presence who dominates his space. Ziegler's confidence is seen in his tackles, where he's sure to be in the right position to make a challenge. Ziegler has taken on set-piece duties on free kicks and penalties, while Hedges attacks the ball with his head. The two feed off each other, and the stability and understanding rubs off on the rest of the backline.

"I think we are a good mix because we both have quite good feet for center backs," Ziegler said. "I think we didn't take any goals with long balls behind us, I think we cover the field really well, and he's, of course, taller than me, so he wins a lot of headers. I'm here to cover him, and we are both aggressive. It's working well, and hopefully we can finish as one of the best defenses."

It's been easy for first-year coach Luchi Gonzalez to continue with the center-back pairing that existed before he came in. However, Gonzalez has gotten the pair more involved in possession, asking them to play with their feet and having the team build from the back. It's resulted in more ball dominance from Dallas, and it has showcased the defenders' passing and their composure under pressure.

"Matt has a lot of experience in the league," Gonzalez said. "He's a very calm, clear player, and he performs. He's a performer in the training and in the games. He's consistent.

"Reto, it's his second season. I think he's gotten his bearings more in the league, in the club and the way that we're playing with and without the ball. He's got a good relationship with our backline and our keeper. They're continuing to work and push and compete with each other in training."

In a league where parity is emphasized, a strong defense is critical. Dallas has five games remaining and is in control of its playoff destiny. The experience and on-the-field abilities that Ziegler and Hedges provide will be key factors in these do-or-die matches.

"He's such an easy player to play with," Hedges said. "He's got a lot of quality and experience, and I feel like the first time he was here, we jelled right away. He covers me well, I cover him well, we communicate really well.

"I feel like we have one of the best backlines in the whole league because of it."