Walker Zimmerman Named MLS Defender Of The Year For Second Consecutive Season

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Pictured (L-R): Walker Zimmerman and John Ingram. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville SC

For the second season in a row, Nashville Soccer Club’s Walker Zimmerman has been named MLS Defender of the Year.

Zimmerman was one of the key components of the club’s historic success, leading the charge to an undefeated season at home and being tied for first for goals against (33), away goals against (15), and clean sheets (13).  In 2021, he played 2,041 minutes, scored three goals, and had an accurate pass percentage of 82.7%.

“Walker’s contributions and leadership to our team has helped transform a second-year expansion club into one of the elite defenses in Major League Soccer, and no one is more deserving of this distinguished honor. We are so proud of him,” says Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs.

Nashville SC traded for Zimmerman in February of 2020 for $1.25 million after he spent two seasons with Los Angeles FC. Since then, he has been one of the best players in the league and has been the backbone for the club’s success in its first two seasons of existence.

“I’m extremely grateful to be named this year’s MLS Defender of the Year,” shares Zimmerman. “Individual accolades aren’t possible without the quality of teammates I have here in Nashville and the success we’ve had collectively as a group throughout our entire roster. It’s a special moment for me and an honor I’ll cherish forever. I’m thankful to everyone who voted from the players, the executives and the media, and to the fans in Nashville for their constant support.”

Zimmerman joins an exclusive list, becoming just the third player in MLS history to win the award in back-to-back seasons and the first in over a decade. Chad Marshall, while with the Columbus Crew, won the award in 2008 and 2009. Zimmerman was named to the 2021 MLS All-Star Team and was selected to the MLS Team of the Week four times this season.

The club ended the regular season with a record of 12-18-4 and third in the Eastern Conference. Nashville’s season ended on Sunday, Nov. 28 after the club lost to Philadelphia Union in a penalty shootout.

Steven Boero
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