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LAFC deals Walker Zimmerman to Nashville SC

LAFC has just traded away an integral part of its record-setting team.

LAFC has dealt veteran centerback Walker Zimmerman to expansion club Nashville SC, in a trade announced on Tuesday. In exchange, LAFC has received an international roster spot and $950,000 in General Allocation Money — a figure that can rise to $1.25 million if Zimmerman meets certain performance-based metrics.

“In his two seasons in Los Angeles, Walker was a consummate professional and a great leader on and off the field,” said LAFC general manager John Thorrington in a prepared statement. “He and his wife Sally played an integral role within the LAFC family and community, and he will always be a part of our history.

“On behalf of the club, we wish Walker and his family nothing but the best in his future.”

LAFC’s decision to deal Zimmerman comes a week before the team is set to play in its first Concacaf Champions League game. The MLS side will take to the road next Tuesday for the first leg of a Round of 16 series against Club Leon, which is currently in first place in the Liga MX Apertura with a 4-0-1 record.

For Nashville SC, meanwhile, the trade sees the new franchise land an experienced central defender that can help lead the back line during the upcoming season. The 26-year-old Zimmerman boasts both MLS and international experience, having played in the league for seven years now and earning 12 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team.

“Walker Zimmerman is a player who we had our sights on when we first started to assemble this group, and we are very excited to add his on- and off-field abilities and leadership to our roster,” said Nashville SC general manager Mike Jacobs in a statement released by the expansion team. “He has proven success at the domestic and national team levels and fits the mold of the kind of player and person that our club represents.” 

Zimmerman made 51 regular-season appearances for LAFC over the past two seasons. He scored five goals and delivered two assists in those matches, and helped LAFC capture the Supporters’ Shield while setting a league record in points last year.

Comments

  1. The article pretty much failed in what I think it should have included regarding LAFC’s plan to replace Zimmerman.

    Of course, you can read about the potential replacements and their pluses and minuses on LAFC’s website. From that article I take it that Bradley thinks Blackmon is ready to take over at CB and will exceed Zimmerman soon if he hasn’t already. Also, somewhere between 0.9 and 1.25 million dollars and an international slot are little details that could make LAFC even stronger.

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  2. The article should have mentioned who they currently have on the roster who plays CB. Kind of important, don’t you think? They must have someone targeted or someone already in the pipeline. Problem is, CB is such an important position and it will take a while for a new player to get integrated into the defense. Well, I’m more a Galaxy fan, so it’s not my worry.

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    • Probably Tristan Blackmon he played for Zimmerman some last year. Jordan Harvey could possibly slide inside. Silva and Jakovic could be short term solutions but are both 33 or older. LAFC could use some of the spoils from the trade to move up and sign Andy Najar who has been training with them. He would play RB and allow Blackmon to play CB.

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      • Thanks, but I could have looked that up myself. My point was that it was lazy journalism to not include that type of information. As for your conjecture with the money they got they could get a couple of decent players. They are certain to get someone to replace him.

    • I try not to get too into the weeds with salary cap because there are so many layers in MLS, but I think LAFC has a pretty high salary so I don’t know that they’ll make a big splash move because it would put them back in cap trouble. From Thorrington’s comments it doesn’t sound like this was a developed plan from LAFC but a case of an offer too good to refuse.
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      I find if I want actual breaking news SBI isn’t the place to go. If I want to talk to someone about it that won’t look at me like I have 3 heads for debating the merits of a preseason trade of a CB I come here.

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  3. I don’t get it. When you step back from trades and figure out who should be happy and why
    This is one way happiness to Nashville.
    What is LAFC going to do with cash buy Zimmerman back?

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    • Sign more talent, of course. If there’s a manager, you can trust @ getting talent. It’s gotta be Bob Bradley! Remember, LAFC broke MLS points record. Held by Atl, who broke TFCs. Teams are investing in South American talent, as well as signing their own academy players. I know, your question is rhetorical, but I had to answer.

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      • Appreciate your answer, but the talent will be at Centerback because LAFC broke the MLS point record with a good defense too.
        Doesn’t make sense to me.
        .
        Go Sounders

      • ? Your team beat LAFC last year’s playoffs on the way, to the MLS cup. If I was a Sounders fan, I wouldn’t care what the rest of the western conference does.

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