After all, Walker Zimmerman isn’t too old to compete in the Olympics.
The 31-year-old defender is set to make his Olympic debut in Paris as an overage player (one of three players above the age limit allowed on each team) for the U.S. U-23 Men’s Soccer Olympic Team, a move announced by coach Marko Mitrovic on Monday morning.
“Obviously, as a men’s overage player, my cycle was one where I didn’t qualify and I thought at that point that my dream was over, that I wouldn’t have a chance to go to the Olympics,” Zimmerman said at a U.S. Soccer Association press conference in Manhattan on Monday, “and then just to have things come together later this year and have this opportunity is amazing. This is something that I’ve been watching since I was a kid and something that I’ve always wanted to be a part of.”
In 2021, the U.S. Men’s National Team narrowly lost 2-1 to Honduras in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier semifinals, missing out on a spot in the Summer Olympics for the third consecutive year.
“I want to win a medal,” Zimmerman said. “That’s my personal goal. It’s a very special opportunity, especially as an over-age player, to be able to play in the Olympics.”
Zimmermann, who plays for MLS’ Nashville SC, made his USMNT debut in a friendly against Jamaica during training camp in January 2017 and was named Man of the Match.
The Furman University graduate and Georgia native has earned 42 caps for the U.S., last appearing in the CONCACAF final against Canada in June 2023.
He captained the team nine times and played all four matches at the 2022 World Cup.
The veteran defender cites “complacence, experience and communication” as his plans to lead Paris’ young squad.
FC Cincinnati defender Myles Robinson, 27, and Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihajlovic, 25, also top the 18-man Olympic roster and fill the other over-age spots.
Robinson was on the U.S. Copa America squad but did not play as the team struggled against Uruguay and was eliminated in the group stage.
The defender has 29 international appearances and was named to the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final when he scored the winning goal in extra time against Mexico.
He missed the 2022 World Cup due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“what [Robinson] “He got injured after the World Cup qualifiers and missed the World Cup, so we’re really happy that he has the opportunity to come back and represent the U.S. on the world stage,” Zimmerman said. “I’m excited to have him around, I think it’s going to be a really fun pairing and I have full confidence in him.”
Mihajlovic has three goals in 11 international appearances for the United States but has not played for the national team since July 2023, when the team lost to Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals.
“We have a really fun young team,” Zimmerman said. “It’s going to be the biggest game of their lives and the biggest moment of their careers. It’s a big moment for me, too.”
The U.S. national team is competing in the Olympics for the first time since 2008, playing a friendly against Spain on July 18 before opening its group stage match against hosts France on July 24.
The U.S. will also face New Zealand and Guinea in the group stage.
