No, Walker Zimmerman would not solve Orlando City's defensive dilemma | OneFootball

In an otherwise bleak season, Orlando City got one thing right in 2025.

A Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić-inspired attack totalled a mammoth 82 goals across all competitions as Óscar Pareja's side smashed their all-time annual goalscoring record - a pretty prolific return that deserved more than a Leagues Cup capitulation to the second-worst side in the Western Conference and early exits from both the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs.

To most supporters, it's pretty clear where it all went wrong: the defence. Not one of Rodrigo Schlegel, David Brekalo, the newly-signed Adrián Marín, the recently-departed Pedro Gallese, and even Robin Jansson can truly say that they performed to expectations in 2025 - the latter so much so that it's still yet to be confirmed if he will be returning next year.

The past year has ultimately revealed one uncomfortable truth: big changes are needed this off-season if Orlando truly want that to achieve that second Major League Soccer-era title.

One huge name that is being touted as the man to potentially solve Orlando's defensive dilemma is two-time Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman, who is set to depart Nashville SC after six seasons.

Captaining them to their first-ever trophy during his final year in gold, the 32-year-old is a legend in Tennessee. Add to that his 46 USMNT appearances and wealth of experience at previous clubs FC Dallas and LAFC, Zimmerman is about as proven at this level as you can get.

It all sounds quite promising, doesn't it? But, for a number of crucial reasons, Zimmerman just wouldn't be a worthwhile pick-up at this point in time.

Orlando already have their own Zimmerman

Age and experience, particularly in defence, is absolutely vital to any team. Zimmerman has that in abundance, but so does Jansson.

Basically a mainstay in the eleven since arriving in 2019, Orlando's all-time appearance record holder previously spent a decade in his native Sweden's league system, winning the Allsvenskan title with AIK in 2018.

If anything, the 34-year-old has only got better with age.

In 2023, Jansson was pretty unlucky not to be awarded the league's Defender of the Year gong himself. The following year, he was even better as Orlando posted a club-best run all the way to the Eastern Conference Final.

Yes, last season wasn't anyone's best work, but Jansson still proved his quality as Orlando went five consecutive games without conceding in spring and shut out reigning Liga MX champions Toluca in summer.

Considering the likely wage required to tempt Zimmerman to Central Florida, even if he can be negotiated down to a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal, Orlando should focus instead on renewing Jansson for an agreeable salary.

The solution is right under Pareja's nose

If you can overlook the shocking 65 goals conceded across 2025, Orlando actually boast quality options at centre-back. But time after time, Pareja has failed to complement Jansson with the right defensive partner.

For all his heart and immense contributions to the club over the years, Schlegel just isn't cool-headed or mobile enough to partner Jansson, who already makes rash decisions and struggles for pace himself.

Brekalo was signed in 2024 to be that more dynamic centre-back partner. However, after struggling for fitness for much of the year and missing the entire summer to participate in the UEFA European Championship with Slovenia, he failed to establish himself as a nailed-on starter.

Then 2025 happened. With Pareja unsatisfied with his options at left-back throughout the season, Brekalo spent the vast majority of his minutes there. And, whichever way you put it, a right-footed centre-back playing in an unnatural position is just never going to be a long-term solution.

As a trio, Jansson, Schlegel, and Brekalo are very capable at this level. But Pareja must start deploying Brekalo in his natural position, and use Schlegel more sparingly.

Stop kicking the can down the road

While Pareja's centre-back solution can be sourced from within his current roster, Orlando must turn to the transfer market to finally address the entire cause of their defensive dilemma: left-back.

Rafael Santos, for all his attacking prowess, just couldn't impress Pareja on a consistent enough basis to earn his trust. His replacement, though, has been nothing short of disastrous.

For all his experience over in Europe, Marín just hasn't been good enough since arriving in August. With his glaring lack of physicality and defensive awareness, it's no mystery why Orlando's season completely collapsed in the manner it did.

Yes, Brekalo has proved himself as an adequate, short-term fix, but Orlando must source a reliable, long-term replacement. The longer Pareja goes without one, the longer such dreadful defensive displays as October's 4-2 drubbing at the hands of Toronto FC will be the norm.

If money were no object, I'm sure Zimmerman would be a fine addition to Pareja's roster. But Orlando clearly have bigger issues to prioritise this off-season.