One year can make quite a difference for many people.

Just ask Walker Zimmerman.

Last year at this time, Zimmerman came back from a trial in Norway and had just re-signed with FC Dallas. He was in his tenth start for the club in the 2016 season, matching how many games he had started the year before. He was known for his game-winning penalty kick against Seattle, which pushed FC Dallas into the Western Conference Finals. He had just come off US youth national team duty, losing the U-23 Olympic Qualifier against Colombia.

Zimmerman went from an unused substitute for the U23s in the defeat against Colombia to a January camp call-up, along with teammates Kellyn Acosta and Matt Hedges. On February 3rd, Zimmerman made his international debut, going 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Jamaica.

“It’s been a big year on a personal level,” Zimmerman said. “Obviously getting called up to the national team in January and getting that first cap was a moment I’m really proud of but at the same time made me hungry for more and to really take that step as a professional and move up to the next level, which is international play.”

Walker Zimmerman, one of FC Dallas' stand out centerbacks. (FCD Communications)

On the club side, Zimmerman and Hedges have provided the stability that top teams need to contend for the MLS Cup. The athletic Zimmerman has turned into a massive target for set pieces, attracting the attention of defenses. Defensively, the back line for FC Dallas has been very stingy, allowing a league-low six goals in their nine games played. A third of those came against Portland, who is tied for the league lead in goals scored.

"Me and Matt have gotten a lot of games under out belt these last two years," Zimmerman said. "We're starting to perform very well together. We have a great understanding of the other person and really our whole defense takes pride, more than ever, in shutouts. You'll see that whenever a goal is scored at this point, we'll get very frustrated because we feel confident enough that we should get a zero every game."

Norway was a quick trip for Zimmerman, as he went on trial with Viking FK, a club in the top division. He has been attracting interest overseas, as reported by MLSSoccer.com earlier this year, being on the radar for two 2.Bundesliga teams.

With or without the interest, Zimmerman noted how he can improve his confidence on the ball. He has made some on the ball errors, including one against Seattle in last season's Western Conference semi-final that seemingly clinched the series for the Sounders.

"Getting confident with the ball is extremely important for the next level," Zimmerman said. "Just to have that composure and working on the entry balls out of the back, rather than just simple passes. Passing between the lines is a good next step. I feel like I am growing in that area and I'm gonna continue to work hard on that in practice every day."

Zimmerman's improvement in the last year has been outstanding and one that may result in his first international competition with the U.S. Men's National team this summer, as the US prepares for the Gold Cup.

"We'll see what happens with qualifiers and Gold Cup," Zimmerman said. "But I'm excited for a potential opportunity."

Whatever the case is, Zimmerman has proved to people in MLS that he was deserving of a chance to start, and has repaid Oscar Pareja's faith in him, establishing a center back duo that is hard to find better in the league today.

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3rd Degree is an independent FC Dallas blog. Founded in 1997, 3rd Degree has been in partnership with the Dallas Morning News since 2012. You can follow us on Twitter @3rdDegreeNet.