FRISCO, Texas – For a team that has suffered an inordinate amount of injuries in 2014, the emergence of young talent has been a necessity rather than a bonus.
In Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy, the quality performance by Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman, the club's first-round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, was essential and the latest example of a youngster stepping up.
For the Georgia native, it was more than just a depth player showing his value. It was a victory over a series of his own individual injury problems, as on more than one occasion this season, the defender was not able to complete a match he started.
On Sunday, though, he not only completed the match, but he shut down one of the league’s most seasoned forwards in the Galaxy’s Alan Gordon in a game the Galaxy desperately wanted to win as they battle the Seattle Sounders for the Supporters Shield.
“It’s great to have him back in the lineup,” said veteran defender Zach Loyd, FC Dallas’ regular right fullback who had started nine of the last 10 MLS games at center back due to injuries to Zimmerman, George John and Stephen Keel. “Tonight just showed his quality as a player. It shows his quality off the field, too, putting in the work to get back, being able to step up in a moment like this.”
Added team captain and fellow centerback Matt Hedges: “He’s been out injured out for a while, but that doesn’t change that he is a good player. He came right in, he was fit, he was strong. He didn’t back down from any challenge.”
The task for FC Dallas and Zimmerman was clear. Gordon, an 11-year MLS veteran, had scored five goals in 11 games for the Galaxy, including the game-winner on Sept. 20 to give the Galaxy a 2-1 victory over Dallas. But Zimmerman handled the moment, limiting Gordon to just one shot on goal.
“He had a big task ahead of him,” said goalkeeper Chris Seitz. “Gordon’s a very strong player, and he is in really good form right now. For [Zimmerman] to come in and win that one-on-one battle, I thought he really put his foot on the game.”
The question for Zimmerman has not been one of talent, as he played numerous times for US youth national teams at the U-18 and U-20 levels, often as the team captain. The challenge has been overcoming a series of hamstring and other injuries that have kept him off the field for much of the last two seasons. This time, Zimmerman had about three days to prepare for his first appearance since Aug. 9.
“I found out on Thursday,” Zimmerman said. “I was at practice and I found myself with what I pictured would be the starting group in the second half of practice. It was a huge game, and we knew that coming into this game. Even with that mentality, we were down at halftime, but none of the guys thought for a second that we could not come back. To find ourselves in the playoffs with two games left in the season is a great feeling.”
