Walker Zimmerman isn’t too old for the Olympics, after all.
The 31-year-old defender will be making his Olympic debut in Paris as an overage player (one of the three players each team is allowed over the age limit) on the U-23 U.S. Men’s Soccer Olympic team, which was announced by head coach Marko Mitrovic on Monday morning.
“Obviously, as an overage player on the men’s side, my cycle, we didn’t qualify and that’s when I thought my dream is over. I won’t have the chance to play in the Olympics,” Zimmerman said during Monday’s U.S. Soccer press conference in Manhattan. “And then as things materialized later this year, just getting this opportunity is amazing. It’s something I’ve always watched growing up, something I’ve always wanted to participate in.”
In 2021, the USMNT failed to qualify for the Summer Olympics for the third consecutive cycle, following a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss to Honduras during the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying semifinals.
“I wanna win a medal,” Zimmerman said. “That’s the personal goal. It’s such a unique opportunity to get to go to the Olympics, especially as an overage player.”
Zimmerman, who plays in MLS for Nashville SC, made his debut with the USMNT in a 2017 friendly against Jamaica during January Camp and was named player of the match.
The Furman product and Georgia native has 42 caps with the U.S., with his last coming against Canada in the June 2023 CONCACAF final.
He has captained the team nine times and played in all four matches at the 2022 World Cup.
The veteran defender cites his “composure, experience and communication” in how he plans to lead the young squad in Paris.
FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson, 27, and Colorado Rapids midfielder Djorde Mihailovic, 25, also headline the 18-man Olympic roster, taking up the other overage spots.
Robinson was on the U.S. roster for Copa America, but did not see the field as the team was eliminated in the group stage after a tough loss to Uruguay.
The defender has 29 international appearances and an extra-time goal that clinched the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico.
He missed the 2022 World Cup due to a torn Achilles tendon.
“To see what [Robinson] went through after World Cup qualifying, having that injury that he did and missing out on the World Cup, I’m so happy for him to be back and have the opportunity on the world stage to represent the United States,” Zimmerman said. “I’m excited to be alongside him. I think it’ll be a really fun pairing and one that I have the utmost faith in.”
Mihailovic has recorded three goals across his 11 international appearances with the USMNT, but hasn’t played for them since their loss to Panama in the July 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semis.
“It’s such a fun, young group of guys,” Zimmerman said. “It’s gonna be some of the biggest games of their lives and biggest moments of their careers. It’s still a huge moment for me.”
The USMNT will take the Olympic stage for the first time since 2008 and will play a friendly against Spain on July 18 before opening the group stage of the tournament on July 24 against host France.
The U.S. will also play New Zealand and Guinea as part of the group stage.
