Walker Zimmerman

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Matt Alexander: First, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Walker Zimmerman: I'm twenty three years old. And I'm the youngest of three brothers.

This is my fifth year in MLS (Major League Soccer), after attending Furman University for two years before being drafted by FC Dallas.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my life as a professional soccer player.

Outside of soccer, I married my fiancé, Sally, in December. It came on the coattails of a historic year with FC Dallas, where we won two of three possible trophies.

Everyone in the league seems to get married in December due to our schedule (March 4 to December 9 this year), so I did the same.

Matt Alexander: Have you always been a soccer player?

Walker Zimmerman: I have always been a soccer player, but I also played basketball and baseball until eighth grade, when I switched playing soccer exclusively.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to play baseball again with Dirk Nowitzki in his celebrity game at the Frisco Rough Riders Stadium. I may have taken it a bit too seriously. I made our PR folks a little nervous by stealing a few bases and diving around.

I think we had a game a day or two after that and I had some unexplained brush burns.

Matt Alexander: FC Dallas is (currently) the only undefeated team in the MLS. How has it been to play with that team as it has grown and improved?

Walker Zimmerman:It makes it a lot more fun when your team is successful, winning games, and competing for trophies.

It has been a lot of fun playing for this team the past few years and competing for trophies each season. We’re still the youngest team in the league by a few years.

I'm twenty three, which is the average, but I’ve been here for a few years.

Honestly, Dallas is producing some of the most talented young players in the league through their academy system. So, I'm quickly transitioning into more of a leadership role with the team.

In terms of the immediate future, we’ve grown a lot as a group in recently years, but the MLS Cup is the goal. And we’re close.

Matt Alexander: You recently joined the senior US national team. How did it feel to take that step as a professional?

Walker Zimmerman:It's an important step for me.

It's something I'd always dreamed of achieving. Now, I’m looking forward to more opportunities with the National Team. At the same time, I know it'll take a lot of hard work to continue making that roster.

2018 is a World Cup year and, after being called up in January of 2017, I will hopefully have an opportunity to go to Russia with that team and compete with the best in the world.

Matt Alexander: What’s next for you in your career?

Walker Zimmerman: Continuing to grow on the international stage. Becoming a regular with the U.S. National Team is a goal of mine.

As I mentioned, my goal is to play in a World Cup. Well, hopefully, a few World Cups.

But that's after we hoist MLS Cup in December, of course.

As I mentioned, my goal is to play in a World Cup. Well, hopefully, a few World Cups. But that's after we hoist the MLS Cup in December, of course.