Nick Rimando had a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Let’s look back at it in honor of his induction.
I can hear it now. The familiar chant rings down from the stands at America First Field: “Nick Ri-man-do!” The RSL goalkeeper is busy. New England is no easy opponent. RSL had worked hard to get a 3-0 lead, and Rimando didn’t want it to disappear. It was the 34th minute. New England had been awarded a controversial penalty. Teal Bunbury stepped up to take it. Rimando correctly dived to his left and saved the penalty. RSL would go on to win the match 4-1.
This is one of the many amazing moments Nick Rimando provided us in Utah. From the 2009 MLS Cup against the LA Galaxy to the face-save against Houston, Rimando was a brick wall and could not be beaten. Rimando was fun to watch and never looked out of it. Rimando is on the shorter end of goalkeepers, but he had a great vertical and could save almost anything.
Rimando holds several MLS records, such as the most penalty saves, most appearances, and most clean sheets, among others. Rimando played for the USMNT and appeared in a few MLS All-Star games. The GOAT, as the fans call him, was a beast and arguably the best goalkeeper in MLS, drawing praise from Tim Howard:
“What I think is that he’s the greatest goalkeeper in MLS history. I think that has nothing to do with anyone’s opinion of anything. His longevity and his records and his numbers speak for themselves.”
-Tim Howard, mlssoccer.com
Rimando was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame last May and thoroughly deserved it. Rimando started nearly every match for RSL and was a force to be reckoned with, and he did not give up easily. With RSL, Rimando was a part of two MLS Cups, one World Cup, and countless MLS regular season and postseason matches. The number 18 became a staple around the state of Utah, and you couldn’t get too far without seeing a jersey with “Rimando” printed on the back.
RSL was lucky to have Nick Rimando for as long as we did. Legends like him are hard to find, and in today’s world, it seems like money talks more than club loyalty and honor. But Rimando fell in love with Utah and stayed for several years. The man who started at a now-defunct Miami Fusion, travelled to DC United, and then was traded to Sandy, has become a household name in the realm of Utah Soccer.
Rimando was a true hero in the eyes of RSL fans, and his save in the MLS Cup Final in 2009 was the best moment. That save set up Robby Findley for the game-winning penalty in the shootout. RSL would go down in history as champions that year, and Rimando’s save is still replayed by fans to this day. Rimando is a big deal in Utah, and he is expected to be a big part of the RSL Academy. Long live the GOAT!
