1-on-1 with Walker Zimmerman: U.S. debut caps steady rise to prominence

FC Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman knows the value of a chance. He's been blessed with several of them in his 23 years, especially in the last few, which have seen his rapid rise in the world of professional soccer.

Zimmerman made himself a key figure in the Dallas back line, turning heads last season as his team clinched the Supporters' Shield. Former LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena noticed, and, upon his return to the U.S. men's national team, he afforded Zimmerman a senior team call-up - another rare opportunity.

He didn't waste it, and with a debut now in his pocket, the young center-back took some questions from theScore while in Argentina for preseason.

An immense introduction

Before joining the U.S. team for January training, Zimmerman was among four players to be wed. A long regular season leaves little time for nuptial festivities, so on New Year's Eve, Walker and his bride Sally tied the knot.

(Photo courtesy: @USsoccer)

In the course of the next four weeks, he earned his first cap for the U.S. national team playing in a friendly against Jamaica. It's a milestone he was "extremely proud" to reach.

"You can never take for granted the chances that you get to represent your national team, so for me to finally get that chance with the full men's national team was such an honor," Zimmerman said.

"It's definitely a moment I'll never forget."

Zimmerman featured for all 90 minutes of the 1-0 win, with D.C. United's Steve Birnbaum to his right and former Portland Timbers full-back Jorge Villafana to his left. In the end, he was awarded the "Man of the Match" nod, an accolade he admits he was "a little surprised" to receive.

"I had a decent game but I didn't really expect that coming," he said. "I know I can still do a lot better, move the ball a little bit faster, connect on more passes, but I think defensively it was very sound and I definitely felt pretty comfortable out there."

Having earned his chance, Zimmerman knows he now has to work to keep it.

"These opportunities aren't going to be given to you; you've got to go out there and earn it, every game and every practice," he said.

"The margin at that level is very slim."

Bruce Arena's new era

Zimmerman wasn't the only new face in the U.S. camp, though he was among the youngest. The initial 32-man roster was MLS-heavy, and when his club teammate, Matt Hedges, pulled out with an injury, Zimmerman was left on his own to figure things out in the buildup to his debut match.

Still, he says "everyone felt more relaxed" playing for Arena, who knew each of them already as opponents of his LA Galaxy. As such, he explains that "there was no pressure" to perform for the coaches, since Arena was "already familiar with the player pool."

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

"Even though you only have three-and-a-half weeks, he's seen you throughout the whole year, scouted you, and knows you as a player," Zimmerman said. "I think everyone felt confident to play their own game."

His game is one of quiet consistency and reliability - great traits to boast as a center-back. He cut his teeth with FC Dallas and earned valuable experience, the reason why he says he was "definitely ready" to step into the senior national team.

"As a professional player, you aspire to play at the international level, and it's something that I've definitely dreamed about, but I also feel prepared for," Zimmerman explained.

"The past season (with Dallas) especially has prepared me mentally and physically for those kind of moments, and so now it's just about going in and embracing it."

Arena was left impressed with Zimmerman, and was "very congratulatory" of his debut: "He did go out of his way to recognize that it was my first game and that it was pretty special."

Those efforts were, as ever, done in the spirit of camaraderie with a long-standing tradition, as Zimmerman soon found out.

Walker, Texas Belieber

During a meal after the match, Arena presented Zimmerman with a signed match ball and, spurred on by Michael Bradley, and with shouts of "encore!" ringing united, the man of the hour was made to sing in front of his teammates.

Zimmerman opted for Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself," a song he said was very much his own choice, despite his teammates asking for another Disney song.

"The night before, I sang, 'A Whole New World' from Aladdin, and so then, when I received the ball, the team wanted an encore, and I had to give the people what they wanted," Zimmerman said, with a laugh, before adding that he has "always been a Belieber."

"If you've seen 'Never Say Never,' you can't say that you're not a Belieber!"