Nick Rimando might just be the greatest goalkeeper in MLS history. Yet somehow, he never won a Goalkeeper of the Year Award. MLS awards continue to make no sense. His career since 2014 was incredible in its own right, but it was his 2000-2010 years that he won hardware. He won MLS Cup with DC United in 2004 and Real Salt Lake in 2009. He won two Supporters' Shields, Miami Fusion in 2001 and DC United in 2006. He won MLS Save of the Year in both 2012 and 2013, while winning MLS Cup MVP in 2009. Rimando was an MLS All-Star in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Rimando arrived in Salt Lake City in December of 2006, being traded alongside Freddy Ada from DC United. He actually was shipped out to the Red Bulls before arriving back at RSL days later. Imagine how badly RSL could have messed that one up? His 2010 team conceded just 20 goals with Rimando in net, an MLS record. After losing MLS Cup 2013, we move to the 2014 season, the beginning of this series. In the very first match that qualifies, Rimando saved all 9 shots he faced against the LA Galaxy. Rimando denied Landon Donovan, then saved a stoppage time penalty kick on Robbie Keane with 20 seconds to play. In the following game, he conceded three times, but made another 7 saves. He went to the 2014 World Cup with the United States, although did not play in any games. Rimando made a late stop on Deshom Brown to finish a 6-save clean sheet in Colorado. He found himself another 6-save shutout against Portland in the penultimate match, making an absurd save on Darlington Nagbe. LA knocked them out of the playoffs with a strong second leg. Rimando made the ASG.
Rimando posted a 7-save performance in a June 2015 loss against the New York Red Bulls, denying Anatole Abang. It was not a fun year for Real Salt Lake, as they finished among the worst teams in the league. He kept 8 clean sheets on the year. He was named an MLS All-Star again. In a 2016 CONCACAF Champions League loss to Tigres, he stuffed a penalty kick in Mexico. The Galaxy took over an April match against RSL as well, but once again it was Rimando who kept a Steven Gerrard penalty kick out. A Shkelzen Gashi attempt was stopped by Rimando in a 6-save win over Colorado. Things were going a bit better for RSL on the season, earning a sixth place finish in the West. Their postseason ended with a 3-1 loss to the Galaxy.
In 2017, Nick Rimando added another 8 clean sheets to his resume. His highest single-game save total came in late September, when he saved 6 shots against the Galaxy, who always seem to be the team involved. He stoned Romain Alessandrini inches from goal. It was another year of struggle for Real Salt Lake, finishing eighth in the Western Conference. Rimando's performances remained incredible, but it turns out that the team in front of him was not rewarding his acrobatics.
Rimando hit his highest saves per game total since 2014 during the 2019 season, saving 3.15 shots a game. A lot of his big-save games ended up being losses in which his team was just dominated, and that was no different against Atlanta. His stretching dive helped him get his fingertips on a Hector Villalba strike. He got his paw on a Miguel Almiron shot. In the very next game, Rimando stopped another 6 shots against Sporting Kansas City. He made a sliding save on Johnny Russell, before adjusting to a Graham Zusi deflected shot. Diego Rubio was stopped by a Rimando leg. While not the same keeper he once was, Nick Rimando was clearly still capable of moving around at an elite level. On what would be considered a great penalty by Teal Bunbury, with power and accuracy, Nick Rimando still got his top hand there to deny the PK. RSL made the playoffs as the last seed in the West. They won the knockout round thanks to 6 saves from the man between the pipes. Rimando had a great game in leg one against SKC, stopping Khiry Shelton and Felipe Gutierrez. RSL lost in leg two.
In 2019, Nick Rimando finished strong. The legendary goalkeeper announced at the beginning of the season that it would be his last. His retirement tour consisted of 10 clean sheets, his highest mark since 2014. On a Carlos Vela free kick, Rimando got up high to deny it. He saved 6 shots in a loss to the Red Bulls in June, dropping to the floor to keep Daniel Royer's effort out of his net. He made the 2019 All-Star Team in his last season, playing a half hour against Atletico Madrid. Rimando cut off the angle on Heber in a 6-save victory over NYCFC. On August 24th, during the final months of his career, he made one of the greatest saves of his career. A Rapids corner was played into the box at the 27th minute mark. Tommy Smith's initial header was saved with a great showcase of reflexes, but it got crazier. After going airborne and landing on the turf, Rimando reached his hand up while laying on the turf to palm Kei Kamara's seemingly free goal away. It won the 2019 Save of the Year Award.
In Rimando's last season, Real Salt Lake earned a respectable third place finish. On Decision Day, he pitched a 5-save shutout against Vancouver, catching Tosaint Rickett's header, then stretching to stop a Michaell Chirinos headed attempt. The 40-year-old keeper did not go out without a fight in the playoffs. Against Portland, He made an impressive save on a Sebastian Blanco from long range. His story as a professional athlete ended up in Seattle, where he made 7 saves in his last ever game. Ruidiaz's header was punched aside. Rimando grabbed his shoulder in pain, but pushed on. He denied a Kelvin Leerdam deflected cross with his legs. A flick header by Cristian Roldan was tipped just over the crossbar. His team ultimately folded and conceded twice, as Rimando made one last incredible diving save on Victor Rodriguez at the end of it all. His two-decade long MLS career ended right there. He became an RSL Academy Goalkeeper Coach, as well as a club ambassador. Nick Rimando's best years were behind him in 2014, but his performances were still breathtaking enough for him to earn the #23 spot.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | CS | SAVES/PG |
2019 | RSL | 2,610 | 10 | 2.38 |
2018 | RSL | 2,925 | 7 | 3.15 |
2017 | RSL | 2,488 | 8 | 2.61 |
2016 | RSL | 2,700 | 6 | 3.03 |
2015 | RSL | 2,160 | 8 | 2.79 |
2014 | RSL | 2,160 | 7 | 3.04 |
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