#11
Walker Zimmerman
AGE: 23
COUNTRY: United States
POSITION: Defender
CLUB: FC Dallas
YEARS PRO: 4
EA SPORTS FIFA 17
Player Rating
FC Dallas took their time bringing along Walker Zimmerman after selecting him seventh overall in the 2013 SuperDraft. Injuries early in his career, along with his youth, kept Zimmerman's development at a deliberate pace. But in 2016, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound center back has finally established himself as a rock for Dallas, appearing in 26 games and playing the full 90 in all of them while scoring three goals.
Now, with his status in the FC Dallas lineup set, Zimmerman is turning his sights on breaking into the US senior national team. He was on the roster for the Under-23 squad in their Olympic qualifying efforts in 2016, but did not make any appearances.
What the technical staffers say:
“I have him as a center back right at the top of my list. He’s been thrust right into the mix in Dallas, and I think he’s excelled this year, on both sides of the ball.”
“On the attacking side, he’s one of the best aerial threats in the league when it comes to attacking corners and wider free kicks.”
“You can see the confidence he exudes on the field. For younger players to have that, that’s a great sign for a center back. Those qualities – size, strength, vocal, confident, disciplined – that’s what you want out of a center back, and I think he’ll only improve in that position.”
“Based on volume, I wouldn’t put him at the top of the list [among all MLS center backs] yet. He’s certainly having a good year, but I’d like to see it over a longer period of time.”
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