Greenville, S.C. – United States National Team defender and former Furman standout Walker Zimmerman scored in the 12^th minute to help the USA to a 4-1 victory over New Zealand in its second group stage match Saturday afternoon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
 
After Djorde Mihalovic put the Americans in front from the penalty spot, Zimmerman followed a Mihalovic free kick by punching in the rebound from inside the six-yard box to double the USA's lead en route to their first victory of the tournament. The United States concludes group stage play on Tuesday, July 30, versus Guinea. The match will kick off at 1 p.m. and will be televised live on USA Network. A victory over Guinea would help the U.S. advance to the knockout stage of the competition.
 
The squad for the under-23 competition allows for three "wild card" overage players, which include the 31-year-old Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, and Mihalovic.
 
A two-time All-American selection, two-time All-SoCon choice, and the 2011 SoCon Freshman of the Year during his two-year stint with the Furman men's soccer team, Zimmerman helped lead the United States to the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has scored three goals for the senior national team. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native and former captain for the United States Men's National Team is a five-time MLS Best XI honoree and two-time MLS Defender of the Year. A defender for Nashville SC of MLS, Zimmerman is currently playing his 12^thseason of professional soccer.
 
Zimmerman was inducted into the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame this past February.