Brandon Zimmerman...his story

Growing up, I played a couple of different sports, including Baseball and Soccer. Baseball simply was not for me. It is way too slow. Playing soccer in the Tri-Cities at a young age was a generous okay. There were a few guys on my team that, like me, loved to play. They would come to my house on a weekend and all we would do was play for hours. Soccer really isn’t a sport that many people are willing to dedicate themselves to in the Tri-Cites. It’s an honor for the few players who are able to succeed and play more competitively. I chose soccer and dedicated my life to the sport. Making the commitment to travel and play with a Seattle team was probably the best choice I have ever made in the sport. I simply wouldn’t grow and become the player I want to be staying in the Tri-Cities. I was 13 when I began to play with Crossfire (3 and ½ hours away) and I really began to get serious about the sport. From then on and to this day, whenever I am home, I played 1 plus hour every day. I will never forget the long days where I would be outside, alone at the park down the street, playing for a couple hours, kicking a ball against a wall and finishing off with fitness. No doubt I would rather be out training with a team but I knew it wasn’t an option; this is what it takes for me to get where I want to be. It is still what it takes because no one arrives in the game. I made a pool of 28 players my first year playing up with the state team. I wasn’t really mad because I didn’t deserve to be on the State team next year.  The next year I made the state team and started then the regional team but didn’t start or play much my first National camp in LA. I began to start on the Regional team at a defensive mid position which I love. It’s the best position for me. Then I was invited to my first true national camp in March. It meant so much to me. I remember the day I got the email, I went out and played for something like four hours. I played several different positions (3 different positions in 3 different games) although I didn’t play so well at the camp. I can’t stand failure so I worked on everything the U15 national coaches suggested and I was called in again to a camp in May, which was nice. I was excited to be on the trip and I played much better. I knew I would.

      I was unable to attend a Mexico trip with the national team because I already had a commitment with my club. Our team made it to the finals in Regionals. I was having a great time on the trip only to be sent off in the semifinals. Crossfire was a great choice for me.  At the time, it was where my brother chose to go and they had the best team in the state. My brother loved the coach, Bernie, and said this would be the place for me. Bernie is a great guy and did everything he could possibly to see me succeed. I have had my best soccer memories with my club team. The team has accomplished so much. In the past year and a half, our Crossfire team was state champs, regional finalists, Surf Cup Finalists, MUPC Champions, and 8th place in World Finals. The other great thing about this team is that the players loved to play. Anthony and I would be playing constantly whether it was in the street juggling or down at the Indoor facility playing until we couldn’t feel our legs. The people who allowed me to stay at their houses, weekend after weekend, were amazing.  These are the moments and people that I will never forget, no matter what happens.

     Another huge influence in my life and soccer career has been my family. I can’t imagine the time and money my parents have put into me. My dad would have to drive me 3 ½ hours to and from Seattle every weekend. My mom kept everything I did organized and in order. My parents would be forking out money for flights and hotels while I traveled the world and they stayed home and continued working. Every night my parents would be driving to and from the gym or indoor center. My brother always kept my head on straight during the tough times. He has been through everything I am experiencing and helps me through every step. Without my family, I wouldn’t be able to be in this residency program. Now that I really think about it, there is no way I can repay the people who have truly helped me, especially my family.

      Since being at residency, things have been great. I have been so thankful that I am able to train with a team every day instead of playing in a park or a parking lot by myself. Every day is very busy. A typical day is waking up at 6 am to lift weights at IPI. The bus leaves for school at 7:35 and we are at school until 2:30. Once we arrive back home from school we get dressed for training and leave around 3:20. Training lasts until 5:30 to 6:00. After training we usually have mental conditioning or study hall at 7 until about 8 or 8:30. Tuesdays and Thursdays we have no weights or Study Hall. Nothing compares with playing with the top 40 players in the United States every day and I would never do anything that could jeopardize my place here. Since being here, I have grown up a lot, you have to grow up if you want to stay here.

      The trips I have been on since being here have been amazing. I haven’t played as much as I would have liked but I am getting better each week that I am here. I think that is important and as long as I keep getting better, I will be fine. I have learned so much from the trips I have been on. Argentina, England, and Ireland have all been amazing trips for me and I am glad I was able to attend them. After these trips, I realize that all of the fitness, the weights, and coaches yelling at me is worth it. I can easily take all of this for one of these great trips.

     So you can see, being with the National team has been an amazing experience. I will never forget the people who helped me to get here on the way. I have also realized there is no way I can repay my parents for what they have done for me. Residency is the best place for me right now so I can grow as a player and reach my full potential. The best feeling is knowing that I will always have my family and God to look after me as I work my way through.