Walker Zimmerman
Walker Zimmerman
Walker Zimmerman still recalls the disappointment from eight years ago, moments after his U.S. team lost a critical game to Colombia.
A win in that contest would have sent the U.S. under-23 team to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
The loss, however, meant the U.S. missed Olympic participation for a second straight cycle.
“That was kind of the moment where … there’s always [a dream] for the Olympics,” Zimmerman said. “But when that happened and we lost to Colombia, I was in the locker room and I remember I was like, `There goes my chance of being in the Olympics.’”
Surprisingly enough, however, the 31-year-old Zimmerman — Nashville SC’s captain and central defender — may be getting his second opportunity to play in the Olympics after all.
Though participation in Olympic men’s soccer is limited to players under the age of 23, each country is allowed three exceptions to the rule.
U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic has made Zimmerman the lone overage exemption to the 25 players invited to the Olympic training camp this month in Kansas City. Eighteen will make the roster for the Paris games in July, where the U.S. will compete in group-stage games against Olympic host France, as well as New Zealand and Guinea.
The selection is a huge nod to Zimmerman’s leadership and experience, as well as an opportunity for him to re-start his international career. Injuries have slowed him for parts of the last two years after Zimmerman played in all four World Cup games for the U.S. in 2022, starting three.
“[Playing in the Olympics is] definitely something you dream about as a kid,” Zimmerman said. “You grow up watching opening ceremonies, watching the U.S. walk around the track. The Olympics is like the penultimate sporting event in the world. That’s what makes [the prospects of participating] really exciting.”
Zimmerman is a decorated U.S. international soccer veteran, having made 42 appearances for the red-white-and-blue since 2017. The Georgia native has scored three times for his country, including his most recent score, against Honduras in a World Cup qualifier two years ago.
He’s the senior citizen in more ways than one on this Olympic roster, as the second-most capped U.S. player is midfielder Gianluca Busio with 13 appearances.
“I’m always wanting to be there for my teammates whether they’re younger or older,” Zimmerman said. “I think it will be a good opportunity to lead some of these guys and learn from them as well. Get some energy from their youth, but also, just having had some bigger tournament experience, hopefully offer up pieces of advice for some of those guys as they head into what is arguably the biggest tournament of their career so far.”
NOTE: At least two other Nashville SC players will be competing for national senior team (non-Olympic) roster spots while the MLS squad is on break until June 15. Defender Shaq Moore is one of 27 U.S. players recalled by U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter ahead of the Copa America tournament, while forward Jacob Shaffelburg is one of 26 U.S. players recalled by Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch. The prestigious tournament begins June 20 and will be played through July 14 in cities across the U.S.
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