Greenville, S.C. -- United States U-20 National Team coach Tab Ramos has named Furman University defender Walker Zimmerman to his 18-player squad for next week's MILK Cup in Northern Ireland, it was announced on Saturday.
The rising sophomore, who is one of five players on the squad playing in their second consecutive MILK Cup, will lead the United States against Denmark on July 21, in Limavady, Northern Ireland, and against Turkey two days later in Ballymena. The international tournament's final matches, including the championship, will take place on July 26.
Zimmerman earned Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America Third Team honors and Soccer America All-Freshman First Team accolades after helping the Paladins to a 14-4-4 record and at-large NCAA Tournament bid in 2011. The 6-foot-3 Lawrenceville, Ga., product led all SoCon defenders with five goals and anchored a defense that surrendered just 20 goals in 22 matches during his freshman campaign.
Last summer, Zimmerman guided the U.S. U-18 squad to a third place finish in Northern Ireland and earned a call-up to Ramos' U.S. U-20 team in January. He is one of 10 returning starters for the Furman Paladins, who open the 2012 season with an exhibition match versus Atlantic Coast Conference power Wake Forest on August 18, at Stone Soccer Stadium.
Furman opens its 2012 regular season home schedule when it hosts UNC Wilmington in the opening round of the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational on September 7, at 7 p.m.