Imler grew up in Maryland, attending Bowie High School in Bowie, Maryland. In 1989, his senior year, he was named a Parade Magazinehigh school All-American soccer player. After high school, he attended the University of Virginia where he played as a defender and defensive midfielder on the men's soccer team from 1989 to 1992. During his four season at Virginia, the Cavaliers took the NCAA title twice and were co-champions once. In 1992, he was the team captain as a senior. Imler was a two-time second-team All-American. While at Virginia, he majored in sports medicine. In 2000, SoccerAmerica magazine named Imler to its College Team of the Century.
Professional
In 1994, Imler played for the Delaware Wizards of USISL. In 1995, he moved to the Raleigh Flyers. In February 1996, D.C. United of Major League Soccer drafted Imler in the third round in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. He spent the 1996 season in central defense with United, playing in nineteen games as the team took both the 1996 MLS Cup and 1996 U.S. Open Cup titles. United released Imler in 1997 and he signed with the Worcester Wildfire of USISL. At the same time, he pursued a return to MLS and had a two-week try out with the New England Revolution. On May 7, 1997, the Revs signed Imler as a Discovery Player after impressing the coaches during his trial. The Revs waived Imler on November 10, 1997. In 1998, he signed with the Charleston Battery, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season game which led to his losing the entire 1998 season. In 1999, Imler played one game, twelve minutes total, for the Charleston Battery. The Battery then released him and he finished the season, and his career, with the Lehigh Valley Steam.
National and Olympic teams
Imler was a member of the U.S. team at the 1987 U-16 World Cup in Canada. He then went on to play with the U.S. U-20 national team, but was not a member of the team at any cups. In 1991, Imler was part of the U.S. gold winning soccer team at the Pan American Games. He then continued to play for the U-23 national team leading up to the 1992 Summer Olympics. Imler started all six games as the U.S. qualified for the tournament. He was then named to the U.S. soccer team for the games. At the Olympics, the U.S. went 1-1-1 and did not qualify for the second round. On March 23, 1993, Imler earned his only caps with the U.S. national team in a 2-2 tie with El Salvador. However, in the 43d minute, he tore ligaments in his right knee during the game and was replaced by Yari Allnutt who scored a goal. Imler never appeared again for the senior national team.
