Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Real Salt Lake's goalkeeper Nick Rimando was a throw-in to the deal when RSL picked up the famed Freddy Adu in late 2006, but they traded Rimando away just two months later.
Then when Scott Garlick suddenly retired, RSL brought Rimando right back. The job's been his ever since, and he's definitely a "keeper."
RSL is enjoying the best season in franchise history, and Rimando's play has had a lot to do with the team's success.
"There's games when we're not playing well, and Nick's just playing out of his mind and keeps us in it," said RSL defender Chris Wingert.
On Saturday, July 17, Rimando's scoreless streak came to an end at 566 minutes. That's nine and a half hours on the pitch without giving up a goal -- the third-best scoreless streak in MLS history.
"It feels good when you go out there and you know that your team, you know, really backs you. And if you don't let any goals in, you're not losing," Rimando said.
His play this season has earned him a spot on the 2010 MLS All-Star Team, along with teammates Kyle Beckerman, Jamison Olave and Javier Morales.
"It's a big accomplishment, for sure, to go over there and play one of the best teams in the world," Rimando said. "[To] represent myself and the team, you know even the league, against Manchester United is going to be fun."
Despite being one of the best goalkeepers in the MLS for the past decade this is only Rimando's second all-star selection, and his first since 2001. KSL asked Rimando if he sometimes feels he doesn't get the recognition he deserves.
"Yeah, 100 percent," he replied. "I always say that maybe you have to be 6 foot tall to get recognition, but this year the guys have been playing great in front of me and that's the reason I'm there."
The 2010 MLS all-star game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will take place in Houston's Reliant Stadium.
E-mail: jjensen@ksl.com
