Walker Zimmerman earns USMNT call-up for January camp

Walker Zimmerman will make his second appearance with the U.S. Men’s National Team after earning a call-up to January camp from acting head coach Dave Sarachan.

Zimmerman is the first and only member of MLS expansion side Los Angeles Football Club to earn a call-up, according to the list released by U.S. Soccer.

The January camp will culminate with a Jan. 28 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 6:30 pm PT on Jan. 28.

Zimmerman is one of just 15 players on the January camp roster who have earned caps. Only Toronto FC’s Justin Morrow and Brandon Vincent of the Chicago Fire have as many caps at the defender position.

“We clearly feel that we want to have a look at these players that have the chance to be a part of the National Team for a number of years to come,” Sarachan said, via U.S. Soccer’s website. “It’s a long journey forward, but this is the first step starting in 2018 for the program and for these players to now get experience at this level.”

Zimmerman was acquired by LAFC on Dec. 10 in a trade with FC Dallas. With Dallas, the Georgia native made 71 starts in 89 regular season matches after being selected seventh overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. In 2016, Zimmerman helped lead FC Dallas to the Supporters’ Shield and the U.S. Open Cup --- scoring four goals while starting in all 30 matches, according to LAFC’s website.

His lone USMNT appearance was in a 1-0 friendly win over Jamaica on Feb. 3, 2017 where he also earned ‘Man of the Match’ honors. Zimmerman also captained the U.S. U-18 National Team in the 2011 Milk Cup.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 0/0), Bill Hamid (Midtjylland/DEN; 4/0), Cody Cropper (New England Revolution; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN; 3/0), Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City; 0/0), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN; 0/0), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles Football Club; 1/0)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 15/2), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 0/0), Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Ian Harkes (D.C. United; 0/0), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 1/0), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution; 3/1), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 2/0), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy; 37/6)

FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution; 27/3), Dom Dwyer (Orlando City SC; 4/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 24/5), Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC; 0/0), Rubio Rubin (Unattached; 4/0), CJ Sapong (Philadelphia Union; 3/0)

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