Player Profile #25: Eriq Zavaleta

Zavaleta is not role flexible like Levesque, but his role seems to be "on the pitch, somehow."

#25 Eriq Zavaleta

Seattle traded up to get the Generation Adidas college forward with a centerback past. The goal at the time was to get a speedy CB with some ball skills. That potential future was put on hold when Sounders FC needed a forward more than a defender. While on loan to San Antonio he played as a hold-up forward.

Offense: Good in the air. Solid in hold-up play. Decent dribbler. Short passes are strong. Not a crosser. Quick trigger. Can chase balls over the top, but better helping teammates get numbers forward.

Defense: Applies defensive skills while forward, more than just a harrier. Good positional awareness. Can body up on dead balls. Likely needs work in 1-on-1 defense to have future there.

Physique: He's big for a 21-year old and he will fill out more. Decent height, but not tall (6'1"). Good speed as a defender, fairly average at forward. Willing to mix it up and play with contact.

Best Case 2014: Oddly, the future at centerback may be best for Zavaleta because he would again be a speedy CB with ball skills that could help score on set-plays. His winter will likely determine his long-term future.

* advanced stats will be listed for players meeting a minimum amount of minutes played. Thanks to sidereal for the assist doing formatting and data collection.