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Walker Zimmerman
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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.
Key Information
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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
[edit]Youth and college
[edit]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
[edit]
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] On April 5, 2025, Zimmerman suffered a head injury[9] and was placed under the league's concussion protocols before returning to play on May 24, 2025.[10]
On November 12, 2025, it was announced Zimmerman would be leaving Nashville SC as a free agent.[11]
International career
[edit]_(cropped)_2.jpg)
On January 6, 2017, Zimmerman was called up for the first time to the United States national team by coach Bruce Arena.[12] 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.[13] 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".[14]
Personal life
[edit]Zimmerman was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, on May 19, 1993, to Becky and David Zimmerman. He has two older siblings.
Zimmerman is a Christian.[15] Walker is married to Sally Zimmerman. They have one child together.[16]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played November 8, 2025[17]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | ||||
| 2025 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 26 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 147 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 172 | 16 | ||
| Career total | 287 | 25 | 20 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 341 | 29 | ||
International
[edit]- As of match played July 2, 2025[18]
| 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 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 46 | 3 | |
- Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zimmerman goal.
| 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 |
Honors
[edit]FC Dallas
Los Angeles FC
Nashville SC
United States
Individual
References
[edit]- ^ "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: United States" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 16. Retrieved May 21, 2019 – via Bernews.
- ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: List of players: United States" (PDF). FIFA. November 15, 2022. p. 31. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ "{title}". Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ "SuperDraft '13 – FC Dallas snag Walker Zimmerman with the 7th pick". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ "LAFC ACQUIRES WALKER ZIMMERMAN FROM FC DALLAS". Los Angeles FC. December 10, 2017. Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "LAFC Acquires Up To $1.25 Million In Allocation Money From Nashville SC In Exchange For Walker Zimmerman". Los Angeles FC. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ "Nashville Soccer Club Extends Contracts of MLS Best XI Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman". Nashville SC. April 29, 2022.
- ^ Tenorio, Paul (April 29, 2022). "How Nashville SC made Walker Zimmerman a designated player: 'He was our Tom Brady'". The Athletic.
- ^ "Walker Zimmerman: Nashville SC captain hospitalized with injury". April 5, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ^ "Walker Zimmerman makes Nashville SC return after injury". May 24, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ^ "USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman reportedly set to depart Nashville SC when contract expires". Yahoo. November 12, 2025.
- ^ "Arena Calls 32 Players for MNT January Camp". U.S. Soccer. January 5, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ "FC Dallas Defender Walker Zimmerman Makes USMNT Debut, Named Player of the Match". FC Dallas. February 3, 2017. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
- ^ "On brink of win, USMNT can't close out Wales". ESPN.com. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Doering, Joshua (June 17, 2021). "Walker Zimmerman leans on faith as he leads Nashville SC, USMNT". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ Doering, Joshua (November 23, 2021). "Walker Zimmerman leads Nashville SC into MLS playoffs, grateful for 'how sacrificial God's love is'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Walker Zimmerman at Soccerway. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Zimmerman, Walker". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
- ^ "CHAMPIONS! Nashville SC win US Open Cup over Austin FC". Major League Soccer. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "United States beats Mexico in Gold Cup final on late Miles Robinson header". ESPN. August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. beats Canada to win Nations League as Balogun opens account". ESPN. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ "2019 MLS All-Star Roster". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
- ^ "2021 MLS All-Star Team Roster". MLSsoccer.
- ^ "2022 MLS All-Star Team Roster". MLSsoccer.
- ^ "2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer. July 7, 2023. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "2019 MLS Best XI". Major League Soccer. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "MLS Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 163. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "2020 MLS Best XI presented by The Home Depot". Major League Soccer. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ "2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "2023 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Nashville SC's Walker Zimmerman named 2020 MLS Defender of the Year". Major League Soccer. November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Walker Zimmerman at Major League Soccer
- Walker Zimmerman at Furman Paladins
- Walker Zimmerman at U.S. Soccer
- Walker Zimmerman at Team USA
- Walker Zimmerman at Olympics.com
- Walker Zimmerman at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (archived, alternate link)
- Official website
United States squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Walker Zimmerman
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life and youth career
Walker Zimmerman was born on May 19, 1993, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to parents Becky and David Zimmerman, with his father serving as a pastor for 21 years.[1] He grew up in a family-oriented environment where sports were a central part of daily life, influenced heavily by his two older brothers, Dawson and Carter, with whom he competed in various athletic activities from a young age.[1] This familial competitiveness fostered his early drive, as the brothers often played together on a backyard basketball court, building resilience and a strong work ethic.[8] Zimmerman began playing soccer at age 4, joining his first team, the U6 Pink Panthers, which went undefeated that season and saw him scoring an average of 6-7 goals per game as a young forward.[8] His initial motivations stemmed from the joy of the game and family encouragement, though a pivotal moment came in eighth grade when, inspired by the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he committed fully to soccer over other sports like basketball and baseball, viewing it as his path to a professional career.[9] By his early teens, Zimmerman had transitioned to more competitive youth play, joining the GSA Phoenix club, where he helped the team win the Georgia Soccer State Cup championship along with multiple state and regional titles, including appearances at national tournaments. With GSA Phoenix, he also won the Disney Showcase title, Region III Premier League finals, and placed third in the USYSA National Championships.[9][10] He was named a 2010 NSCAA Youth All-American and ranked as the No. 17 recruit in College Soccer News' 2011 Top 150 and No. 24 in Top Drawer Soccer's Top 100.[10] During high school, Zimmerman attended Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia.[10] Despite facing challenges like Sever's Disease—a growth-related injury that sidelined him between eighth and ninth grade due to a rapid 6-inch height spurt—his determination, rooted in family support, allowed him to overcome setbacks and continue developing his skills.[8] This period solidified his passion for the sport, leading him to pursue college soccer at Furman University.[10]College career
Zimmerman enrolled at Furman University in 2011, where he played college soccer for the Furman Paladins during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.[10] As a freshman defender in 2011, he started all 22 matches, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists, while helping the team achieve a 14-4-4 record and an NCAA Tournament berth.[10] That year, he earned First Team All-Southern Conference honors, Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, NSCAA All-America Third Team, and College Soccer News Freshman All-America First Team accolades.[10] In his sophomore season of 2012, Zimmerman again started all 17 matches, tallying 6 goals and 3 assists to lead the Paladins to a 12-4-3 record.[11] Over his two seasons, he appeared in 39 games, scoring 11 goals and recording 5 assists overall.[12] His performance earned him First Team All-Southern Conference selection, NSCAA All-America Second Team honors, College Soccer News First Team All-America, Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season, and NSCAA All-South Region recognition.[11] Following his sophomore year, Zimmerman received overseas professional offers after his standout freshman campaign but opted to sign a Generation adidas contract and enter the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.[13][11]Club career
FC Dallas
Walker Zimmerman was selected by FC Dallas with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft after signing a Generation Adidas contract as a sophomore at Furman University.[14][15] He made his professional debut on May 11, 2013, as a late substitute in a 2–1 victory over D.C. United, and recorded his first start on May 25 against the Philadelphia Union.[16] Over his first three seasons, Zimmerman appeared in 37 regular-season matches with just 23 starts, often rotating as a center back while adjusting to the professional level amid limited minutes due to competition and minor injuries.[17] Zimmerman's role evolved significantly by 2016, when he transitioned to a full-time starter at center back, logging a career-high 30 starts in Major League Soccer regular-season play.[18] That season marked his breakout, as he contributed team-leading defensive metrics, including 157 clearances (third in MLS), 99 aerial duels won (third in MLS), and 101 interceptions (fifth in MLS), while scoring four goals—all game-winners—that helped solidify FC Dallas's backline.[19][20] During his tenure from 2013 to 2017, Zimmerman made 89 regular-season appearances and scored seven goals for FC Dallas, appearing in 10 playoff matches as well.[21] His contributions were pivotal in the team's 2016 successes, including winning the Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season record and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, where he started three matches en route to the final victory over the New England Revolution.[1][22] In February 2016, following the expiration of his Generation Adidas deal, he signed a new multi-year contract with the club.[14]Los Angeles FC
Zimmerman was acquired by Los Angeles FC from FC Dallas in a trade on December 10, 2017, ahead of the club's inaugural season as an MLS expansion team. The deal saw LAFC send $250,000 in general allocation money, $250,000 in targeted allocation money, and the No. 1 allocation ranking spot to Dallas in exchange for the No. 11 spot. His experience with FC Dallas facilitated a seamless transition to LAFC's defensive unit.[17][23] Following the 2018 season, Zimmerman signed a new four-year contract with LAFC in January 2019 using targeted allocation money, committing him through 2022. During his tenure from 2018 to early 2020, he made 51 league appearances and scored 5 goals. In the 2018 inaugural campaign, Zimmerman started all 26 regular-season matches, netting 4 goals while providing defensive stability that propelled LAFC to a third-place Western Conference finish and a playoff berth, though they were ousted in the first round by Real Salt Lake.[24][25][26] Zimmerman's leadership anchored LAFC's backline in 2019, where he started 25 matches and scored once, helping the team post the league's best goal differential at +48 and concede the fewest goals en route to a record 72 points and the Supporters' Shield. His standout performances that year earned him a fan-voted spot in the MLS All-Star Game and selection to the MLS Best XI. LAFC advanced to the Western Conference Final in the 2019 playoffs, defeating the LA Galaxy in the semifinals before falling to the Seattle Sounders FC.[27][28][29][30] In February 2020, Zimmerman was traded to Nashville SC for $600,000 in general allocation money for 2020, $350,000 for 2021, $200,000 for 2022, an international roster spot, and up to $300,000 in conditional incentives.[27][31]Nashville SC
Zimmerman joined Nashville SC from Los Angeles FC on February 11, 2020, in a trade that saw the club send $1.15 million in general allocation money ($600,000 for 2020, $350,000 for 2021, $200,000 for 2022), an international roster spot, and up to $300,000 in conditional incentives to LAFC, marking a record amount for a defender at the time.[32] This move positioned him as a foundational piece for the expansion side's inaugural MLS season, where he quickly established himself as a defensive anchor. In his debut year, Zimmerman scored the first goal in franchise MLS history on February 29, 2020, in a 2–1 regular-season opening loss to Atlanta United.[27][33] Over his tenure through 2025, Zimmerman has made 172 appearances for Nashville SC across all competitions, contributing 13 goals while serving as the team's captain and leader of the backline.[21] He earned MLS Defender of the Year honors in both 2020 and 2021, becoming only the third player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons, during which Nashville posted a league-best 0.96 goals-against average in his appearances in 2021.[34] In 2022, Zimmerman transitioned to Designated Player status as part of a contract extension announced on April 29, securing his commitment through the 2025 season with a reported base salary rising to $3.2 million by that year. However, on November 12, 2025, the club announced that Zimmerman would not be re-signed and would enter free agency after the 2025 season.[35][36] Under his leadership, the defense demonstrated sustained solidity, conceding 54 goals in the 2024 regular season (34 matches), ranking 20th in MLS for fewest goals allowed.[37] In the 2025 season, Zimmerman played a pivotal role in Nashville SC's postseason successes, including their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph on October 1, defeating Austin FC 2-1 in the final at Q2 Stadium to claim the club's first major trophy and qualification for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup; he started all matches in the tournament run.[38] He also anchored the backline during the team's participation in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, starting all three games in a best-of-three first-round series against Inter Miami CF (2–1 win in Game 1 on November 1, 1–2 loss in Game 2, and 0–4 loss in Game 3 on November 8), resulting in their elimination.[39][40]International career
Youth career
Zimmerman earned call-ups to the United States Under-18 Men's National Team during the 2010–2011 period, showcasing his defensive prowess as a center-back shortly after graduating high school and beginning his college career at Furman University.[13][12] In December 2010, he was named the U.S. U-18 Team MVP at the Tel Aviv International Youth Tournament in Israel, where the team competed against hosts Israel, France, and Germany.[16][10] The following year, Zimmerman captained the U-18 squad at the 2011 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, starting all three group stage matches as the U.S. defended their title with a 2-0 opening win over Israel.[41][42] He also led the team as captain during a May 2011 training camp in Lisbon, Portugal.[12] Overall, Zimmerman accumulated a limited number of youth international appearances, estimated at fewer than 10 caps across these engagements, with no goals recorded, highlighting his role in building a foundation for future senior opportunities through consistent defensive contributions.[16][41] His selection stemmed from strong performances in the U.S. youth development system, including stints with the Georgia state Olympic Development Program squad that won the 2010 national title and his club team GSA Phoenix.[10]Senior career
Zimmerman earned his first cap for the United States men's national team (USMNT) on February 3, 2017, starting in a 1-0 friendly victory over Jamaica in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was named player of the match.[1] His early senior appearances built on prior youth international experience, establishing him as a reliable center-back for the senior squad. By November 2025, he had accumulated 46 caps and scored 3 goals.[43] Zimmerman's international career featured prominent roles in major CONCACAF tournaments. He contributed to the USMNT's runner-up finish at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, making three appearances and keeping clean sheets in each while scoring his second international goal in a 1-0 group stage win over Panama on June 28.[1] In the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which the United States won, Zimmerman started all three group stage matches, captaining the team in victories over Martinique (6-1) and Canada (1-0), and helped secure the title with a strong defensive performance throughout.[1] He also played in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League finals, where the USMNT claimed the championship after defeating Canada 2-0 in the final.[43] At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Zimmerman made four appearances, starting in the group stage wins over Wales (1-1) and England (0-0), as well as the Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands (3-1), contributing to the team's advancement to the quarterfinals.[43] His goals came against Bolivia in a 3-0 friendly on May 28, 2018; Panama in the 2019 Gold Cup; and Honduras in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win on February 2, 2022.[44] Zimmerman has occasionally served in leadership roles, captaining the USMNT in select matches, including during the 2021 Gold Cup group stage and three 2022 World Cup qualifiers.[1] In 2024, Zimmerman was selected as an overage player for the U.S. U-23 team at the Paris Olympics, starting all four matches, including scoring in a 3-0 win over New Zealand on July 24, as the team advanced to the quarterfinals before elimination.[45] In 2025, Zimmerman earned four caps: a substitute appearance in the 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela on January 18, a start in the 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on January 23, a start in the 0-1 friendly loss to Switzerland on June 11, and appearances during the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he started group stage matches against Trinidad & Tobago and others, helping the U.S. reach the final before a 1-2 loss to Mexico on July 6.[43][46]Personal life
Family
Zimmerman was raised in a Christian household in Lawrenceville, Georgia, by his father David, a pastor for 21 years, and his mother Becky.[1][47] He has two older brothers, Dawson—a former football player—and Carter, with whom he grew up participating in various sports.[1][47] Zimmerman married Sarah "Sally" Tucker, whom he met at Furman University, in December 2016.[48] The couple welcomed their first child, son Tucker James Zimmerman, in June 2021; Tucker's birth, following a nine-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, deepened their family bonds and reinforced their faith.[48][13] In February 2020, Zimmerman's unexpected trade from Los Angeles FC in California to Nashville SC in Tennessee required the family to relocate across the country, a change he described as blindsiding but one that prompted them to establish new roots in Nashville.[5][8] Their son was born shortly after the move, integrating family life with Zimmerman's professional commitments in the city.[48]Faith and community involvement
Walker Zimmerman, raised as the son of a pastor, has maintained a strong Christian faith throughout his life, which he credits as a foundational influence on his personal growth and values.[13][49] His father served as a pastor for over two decades, instilling in him early exposure to church life and spiritual principles that Zimmerman later personalized during high school through starting a house church with friends.[50] This faith serves as the bedrock for his family practices, providing a supportive environment for spiritual engagement.[51] Zimmerman actively participates in faith-based activities, including attending a small men's Bible study and co-hosting church community groups with his wife in Nashville.[52] He has publicly discussed the role of his faith in navigating his soccer career, emphasizing in interviews how it fosters purpose and resilience amid professional pressures. For instance, in a 2022 ESPN feature, he described using his platform to glorify God and viewing soccer as a vehicle for his spiritual calling.[13] Similarly, in Sports Spectrum interviews from 2021 and 2023, Zimmerman highlighted how faith helps him compartmentalize competition with family life, learning patience through parenting and career setbacks like being overlooked for national team selections.[53][50] His philanthropic efforts reflect this commitment, notably endowing the Walker and Sarah Tucker Zimmerman Scholarship for men's soccer at Furman University in 2022 to support future student-athletes.[48] Zimmerman has also engaged in faith-based media, appearing on the Jesus Calling podcast in 2023 to discuss true connection and combating loneliness through spiritual community, and again in 2025 to share insights on honoring God during high-stress moments in sports.[51][54] In the Nashville community, he supports Christian athlete networks by speaking at events such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet in Portland, Tennessee, in 2025, where he shared his testimony to inspire faith and mentorship among young athletes.[55]Career statistics
Club
Walker Zimmerman has primarily played as a center-back throughout his professional club career in Major League Soccer (MLS) and related competitions. As of November 19, 2025, he has made 287 appearances and scored 25 goals in MLS regular season matches across all clubs. The following tables provide a breakdown of his statistics by team and season, covering MLS regular season matches, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and CONCACAF Champions League appearances where applicable. Totals include all competitions.FC Dallas (2013–2017)
| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | MLS | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | USL Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | MLS | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | MLS | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | MLS | 30 | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | CONCACAF Champions League | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | MLS | 22 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 116 | 8 | 2 |
Los Angeles FC (2018–2019)
| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | MLS | 26 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | U.S. Open Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | MLS | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 59 | 5 | 3 |
Nashville SC (2020–2025)
| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | MLS | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | U.S. Open Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | MLS | 25 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | MLS | 30 | 4 | 1 |
| 2022 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | MLS | 24 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | U.S. Open Cup | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | CONCACAF Champions League | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | MLS | 25 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | CONCACAF Champions League | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | MLS | 21 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 175 | 12 | 7 |
International
Walker Zimmerman has earned 46 caps for the senior United States men's national team (USMNT), scoring 3 goals, as of November 19, 2025.[43] His three international goals came in the following matches:- May 28, 2018, against Bolivia in a friendly (3–0 win).
- January 27, 2019, against Panama in a friendly (3–0 win).
- February 2, 2022, against Honduras in FIFA World Cup qualifying (3–0 win).
Friendlies
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 3, 2017 | Jamaica | 1–0 W | 90 |
| January 29, 2018 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1–0 W | 90 |
| May 28, 2018 | Bolivia | 3–0 W | 90 (1 goal) |
| November 20, 2018 | Italy | 1–0 L | 90 |
| January 27, 2019 | Panama | 3–0 W | 90 (1 goal) |
| ... (additional 11 friendlies through 2025, including January 2025 vs. Venezuela and Costa Rica, and June 2025 vs. Türkiye and Switzerland) | ... | ... | ... |
| Total: 22 appearances, 2 goals[43] |
Gold Cup 2019
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 18, 2019 | Guyana | 4–0 W | 90 |
| June 22, 2019 | Trinidad and Tobago | 0–0 D | 90 |
| June 26, 2019 | Panama | 1–0 W | 90 |
| July 3, 2019 | Curaçao | 2–1 W | 90 |
| July 7, 2019 | Mexico | 0–1 L | 90 |
| Total: 5 appearances, 0 goals |
Gold Cup 2021
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 18, 2021 | Martinique | 6–1 W | 90 |
| July 21, 2021 | Canada | 1–0 W | 90 |
| July 25, 2021 | Jamaica | 1–0 W | 90 |
| August 2, 2021 | Qatar | 1–0 W | 90 |
| August 6, 2021 | Mexico | 0–3 L | 90 |
| Total: 5 appearances, 0 goals |
FIFA World Cup 2022
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 21, 2022 | Wales | 1–1 D | 90 |
| November 25, 2022 | England | 0–0 D | 90 |
| November 29, 2022 | Iran | 1–0 W | 90 |
| December 3, 2022 | Netherlands | 1–3 L | 90 |
| Total: 4 appearances, 0 goals |
Nations League 2023
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2023 | Grenada | 7–1 W | 45 |
| March 26, 2023 | Panama | 0–0 D | 90 |
| June 15, 2023 | Mexico | 0–0 D | 90 |
| Total: 3 appearances, 0 goals |
Gold Cup 2025 (post-July 2025 matches included)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2025 | Trinidad and Tobago | 2–0 W | 90 |
| June 19, 2025 | Saudi Arabia | 1–0 W | 90 |
| June 24, 2025 | Haiti | 3–1 W | 90 |
| July 3, 2025 | Guatemala (semifinal) | 2–0 W | 5 (sub) |
| July 6, 2025 | Mexico (final) | 1–2 L | 90 |
| Total: 5 appearances, 0 goals |
FIFA World Cup Qualifying
| Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| ... (10 appearances in 2022 cycle, including February 2, 2022 vs. Honduras, 90 min, 1 goal) | ... | ... | ... |
| November 14, 2025 | Paraguay | ? | 90 (assumed) |
| November 17, 2025 | Uruguay | ? | 90 (assumed) |
| Total: 12 appearances, 1 goal (includes 2022 and 2026 cycles) |
Youth International Appearances
Zimmerman represented the United States at the youth level, notably with the U-18 national team at the 2011 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, where the team finished third. Specific appearance and goal data for youth matches are limited, but he featured in all tournament games.[56]| Tournament | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Milk Cup 2011 (U-18) | 4 | 0 |