After an impressive career, the legendary Real Salt Lake Goalkeeper has been named one of the inductees for the 2025 National Soccer Hall of Fame.
There is no question that Nick Rimando is an RSL legend. He leads Major League Soccer in several categories, including clean sheets, (154) and penalty saves (59). His save in the 2009 MLS Cup Final set up Robbie Findley’s Cup-winning penalty. Nicknamed the “Wall of the Wasatch,” Nick has become an RSL legend.
Rimando started his career with the Miami Fusion until they folded at the end of the 2001 season. After that, he bounced around before settling at Real Salt Lake. Nick led the Claret and Cobalt to MLS Cup glory in 2009 and saw the club through the playoffs in 2013. Rimando had some incredible saves, such as the double save against the Colorado Rapids where he denied Tommy Smith and Kai Kamara. Rimando was unbelievable, earning the MLS’ Best Goalkeeper award in 2016 after a fan and player vote.
Rimando also appeared in several international tournaments for the United States, including a successful Gold Cup run in 2013. Although he never played, he was part of the 2014 World Cup squad. In 2018, he became the first MLS goalkeeper to reach 200 wins.
Nick Rimando was only five feet ten inches tall but didn’t play like it. He got up to the crossbar to make incredible saves and was strong enough to deny players mid-stride. He was a force to be reckoned with and could save just about anything. Goalkeeper Tim Howard regarded Nick as the “Greatest Goalkeeper in Major League Soccer” and said that “the numbers speak for themselves.”
The chant that many RSL fans became familiar with was the chanting of Nick Rimando’s name, heard after he made a nice save. Rimando deserves this because he came up in key moments and kept RSL in games, possibly saving them in some games. Nick is a beast and he deserves to be honored in the Hall Of Fame because of his dedication to the game and hard work throughout a 19-year professional career.
Nick Rimando announced that the 2019 season would be his last, much to the sadness of the RSL fanbase. On his final regular season game, the supporters in the south goal unveiled a TIFO with the words “Thank You” and a painting of Nick Rimando. It was truly an emotional moment for the Claret and Cobalt but they came away with a 2-1 win over Portland.
After the game, an emotional Rimando addressed the crowd and thanked them, his teammates, and coaches before stepping off the field in Sandy one last time. Tears were shed and Rimando’s name was chanted one last time.
Rimando was truly a legend and deserves to be recognized for his ability to save just about anything. Rimando will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3rd, 2025. May this moment be the one where the world learns the name Nick Rimando.
