Walker Dwain Zimmerman (born May 19, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC 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.
Professional
FC Dallas selected Zimmerman in the first round (No. 7 overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. 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. 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.
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. The new contract made Zimmerman only the fourth American defender to be signed to a DP deal in league history. On April 5, 2025, Zimmerman suffered a head injury and was placed under the league's concussion protocols before returning to play on May 24, 2025. On November 12, it was announced Zimmerman would be leaving Nashville SC as a free agent.
On January 2, 2026, Zimmerman signed with fellow MLS side Toronto FC on a three-season contract.
International career
On January 6, 2017, Zimmerman was called up for the first time to the United States national team by coach Bruce Arena. 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. 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".
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. Walker is married to Sally Zimmerman. They have two children together.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFC Dallas2013MLS72—20——9220141002010——13020152002120——2412016304204010—3742017221—1040—271Total8976110050—1108Los Angeles FC 2018MLS2641040——31420192512010——281Total5153050——595Nashville SC 2020MLS22330———253202125320———27320223041030——344202324220——723342024251——200027120252103021——261Total1471311051207217216Toronto FC2026MLS2210010——231Career total30926201211707236430
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsUnited States201710201831201971202020202110020221412023502024002025 4 0Total 46 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 ZimmermanNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 May 28, 2018 Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, United States 1–0 3–0 Friendly2 January 27, 2019 State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States 2–0 3–0 Friendly3 February 2, 2022 Allianz Field, Saint Paul, United States 2–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honors FC Dallas U.S. Open Cup: 2016 Supporters' Shield: 2016
Los Angeles FC Supporters' Shield: 2019
Nashville SC U.S. Open Cup: 2025
United States CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2021 CONCACAF Nations League: 2022–23
Individual MLS All-Star: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 MLS Best XI: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 MLS Defender of the Year: 2020, 2021
References
External links
Walker Zimmerman at Furman Paladins
Walker Zimmerman at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (archived, alternate link)