GREENVILLE, S.C. – Former Furman All-American Walker Zimmerman has been named to the United States National Team’s roster for this winter’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it was announced on Wednesday evening.
“We are so happy for Walker,” said Paladin head coach Doug Allison, who recently completed his 28th season at Furman. “He has dreamed of this moment, and he told me when I recruited him as a 15-year-old that he was going to work to be in this position one day. He has certainly earned his spot, and to represent your country at the World Cup is the highest honor in football.”
A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Zimmerman helped the United States qualify for the World Cup finals earlier this year and will become the third player in program history to compete in the world’s largest sporting event, joining Furman Athletics Hall of Famers Ricardo Clark (2010) and Clint Dempsey (2006, 2010, 2014). The World Cup will take place from Nov. 21 to Dec. 17 and the United States will play in Group B along with England, Iran and Wales.
“The World Cup is the most-watched event on the planet and to have a representative from the Furman University soccer program for the last four U.S. World Cup teams is something all our coaching staff, players and alumni are extremely proud of,” said Allison.
Zimmerman captained the U.S. in its final qualifying match and helped the team compile a 6-2-2 record during World Cup qualifying, including a 0-0 draw at Mexico and a 5-1 victory over Panama. A two-time MLS Defender of the Year and current Nashville SC standout, Zimmerman recently garnered MLS Best XI accolades for the fourth consecutive season. He joined Chris Armas, Landon Donovan, Marco Etcheverrey and Robbie Keane as one of only five players in league history to be named to the MLS Best XI in four straight seasons and became the first defender to do so. His four selections are tied for the fifth-most in MLS history and are the most among active players.
Zimmerman netted five goals and added two assists while starting all 22 games for Furman as a freshman in 2011. He earned freshman All-American honors from College Soccer News and Soccer America, while earning Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and first team all-league honors as the Paladins posted a 14-4-4 record and earned an NCAA berth. In 2012, he played in and started 17 games while scoring six goals and adding three assists. The center back captured College Soccer News First Team and NSCAA Second Team All-America honors after leading the Paladins to a 12-4-3 record and captured first-team All-SoCon accolades. He was tabbed as the No. 7 pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas.
In April, Furman Athletics announced the creation of the Walker '15 and Sarah Tucker Zimmerman '15 Endowed Scholarship for Men's Soccer, named for Zimmerman and his wife, Sally.