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Walker Zimmerman
	Zimmerman with the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Walker Dwain Zimmerman
Date of birth	May 19, 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Position(s)	Center-back
Team information
Current team	Nashville SC
Number	25
Youth career
	GSA Phoenix
College career
Years	Team
2011–2012	Furman Paladins
Senior career*
Years	Team
2013–2017	FC Dallas
2018–2019	Los Angeles FC
2020–	Nashville SC
International career‡
2010–2011	United States U18
2011–2013	United States U20
2015–2024	United States U23 (O.P.)
2017–	United States
Managerial career
2019	UCLA Bruins (assistant)
Medal record
Men's soccer
Representing United States
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024; ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of August 2, 2024

Walker Dwain Zimmerman (born May 19, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC and the United States national team.

A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Zimmerman played two seasons in college with the Furman Paladins before signing a Generation Adidas deal with Major League Soccer. He was then selected in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas as the 7th overall pick. Initially struggling for playtime due to injuries, Zimmerman established himself as a regular starter in 2016. He started in 38 matches as FC Dallas completed the double, winning the Supporters' Shield and the U.S. Open Cup. In December 2017, Zimmerman was traded to expansion side Los Angeles FC, helping the club win the Supporters' Shield in 2019. Zimmerman was also selected for the MLS All-Star team and MLS Best XI. Zimmerman was then traded to another expansion side, Nashville SC, in February 2020. With Nashville, he won back-to-back Defender of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021.

Zimmerman made his debut for the United States in January 2017 against Jamaica. In 2019, he was selected into the squad that finished runners-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was also a member of the squad that won the tournament in 2021, starting all three group stage matches before having to leave the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

Club career

Youth and college

Zimmerman came through the youth academy at Gwinnett Soccer Association in Lilburn, Georgia, where he was mentored by former Atlanta Silverbacks and Charleston Battery manager Nuno Piteira. Zimmerman also went to Brookwood High School and played soccer there. He was coached by Daniel Klinect.

Zimmerman played college soccer at Furman University between 2011 and 2012. He was named First Team All-Conference 2011, Southern Conference Freshman of the Year 2011, and National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division I Men's All-America Second Team in 2012.^[3]

Professional

FC Dallas selected Zimmerman in the first round (No. 7 overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.^[4] He made his professional debut on May 11, 2013, as a late substitute in a 2–1 victory against D.C. United.

On December 10, 2017, Zimmerman was traded by FC Dallas to new expansion side Los Angeles FC in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money and $250,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. The two clubs also swapped allocation rankings with FC Dallas moving to #1 and Los Angeles FC moving to #11.^[5] During the 2019 season, Zimmerman was also an assistant coach for the UCLA Bruins men's soccer program.

On February 11, 2020, Zimmerman was traded to Major League Soccer expansion club Nashville SC in exchange for up to $1.25 million in General Allocation Money and a 2020 international roster spot.^[6]

On February 29, 2020, Zimmerman scored the first goal in Nashville SC history.

On April 29, 2022, Nashville announced they had signed Zimmerman to a contract extension through 2025, and that it would also make him a Designated Player on their roster.^[7] The new contract made Zimmerman only the fourth American defender to be signed to a DP deal in league history.^[8]

International career

On January 6, 2017, Zimmerman was called up for the first time to the United States national team by coach Bruce Arena.^[9] Zimmerman earned his first cap and start against Jamaica in a January Camp friendly on February 3, 2017. He was named player of the match.^[10] He scored his first goal (a header) on May 28, 2018, against Bolivia. Zimmerman was called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making appearances in all four matches. During the opening match against Wales, Zimmerman tackled Gareth Bale, the Welsh attacker, for penalty in the 82nd minute. Bale scored the penalty and tied the game. The game ended 1–1. According to ESPN, it was "a clumsy and unnecessary challenge".^[11]

Personal life

Zimmerman was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, on May 19, 1993, to Becky and David Zimmerman. He has two older siblings.

Zimmerman is a Christian.^[12] Walker is married to Sally Zimmerman. They have one child together.^[13]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played October 19, 2024^[14]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			Playoffs		U.S. Open Cup		Continental		Other		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
FC Dallas	2013	MLS	7	2	—		2	0	—		—		9	2
	2014		10	0	2	0	1	0	—		—		13	0
	2015		20	0	2	1	2	0	—		—		24	1
	2016		30	4	2	0	4	0	1	0	—		37	4
	2017		22	1	—		1	0	4	0	—		27	1
	Total		89	7	6	1	10	0	5	0	—		110	8
Los Angeles FC	2018	MLS	26	4	1	0	4	0	—		—		31	4
	2019	MLS	25	1	2	0	1	0	—		—		28	1
	Total		51	5	3	0	5	0	—		—		59	5
Nashville SC	2020	MLS	22	3	3	0	—		—		—		25	3
	2021		25	3	2	0	—		—		—		27	3
	2022		30	4	1	0	3	0	—		—		34	4
	2023		24	2	2	0	—		—		7	2	33	4
	2024		25	1	—		—		2	0	0	0	27	1
	Total		126	13	8	0	3	0	2	0	7	2	146	15
Career total			266	25	17	1	18	0	7	0	7	2	315	28

International

As of match played June 18, 2023^[15]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
United States	2017	1	0
	2018	3	1
	2019	7	1
	2020	2	0
	2021	10	0
	2022	14	1
	2023	5	0
Total		42	3

Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zimmerman goal.

List of international goals scored by Walker Zimmerman^[15]
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	May 28, 2018	Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, United States	Bolivia	1–0	3–0	Friendly
2	January 27, 2019	State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States	Panama	2–0	3–0	Friendly
3	February 2, 2022	Allianz Field, Saint Paul, United States	Honduras	2–0	3–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification