MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake GK Nick Rimando Named to 2015 MLS All-Star Fan XI

July 13, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Monday, July 13, 2015) - Major League Soccer has announced that Real Salt Lake GK Nick Rimando has been named to the MLS Fan XI for the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. The AT&T MLS All-Stars will face Tottenham Hotspur, on Wednesday, July 29 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., at 7 p.m. MT. The summer showcase will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 and UniMas.

After being named to the 2014 World Cup squad, Rimando has had a highlight-reel year for RSL. After breaking the all-time shutout record last year when he amassed his 113th career clean sheet, Rimando has picked up where he left off and has been outstanding for the Claret-and-Cobalt this year. The 36-year-old goalkeeper has six shutouts and a 1.06 goals against average in 16 matches thus far. This is the fifth time that Rimando had received All-Star recognition.

"We are extremely proud of Nick and what he has accomplished for club and country," Real Salt Lake Technical Director Craig Waibel said. "This honor is a great reward for his efforts and we are excited to have him represent the club at the All-Star Game."

The full Fan XI is Rimando; defenders DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) and Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy); midfielders Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Kaka (Orlando City SC) and Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City); and forwards Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC) and David Villa (New York City FC).

In addition to the Fan XI, MLS Commissioner Don Garber also selected Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy) and Frank Lampard (New York City FC) as the Commissioner's Picks for the match.

Media members nominated a total of 160 players to the fan ballot. Fans could vote for 11 players via an online ballot and social media. The 10 players with the highest combined votes from these two methods will be named to the All-Star Fan XI. The 11th player on the Fan XI was chosen by the fans via the AT&T MLS All-Star 'More Than a Vote' Challenge. The forward with whom fans score the most goals in FIFA 15, with one goal equaling one vote, was Martins. The game day roster - as chosen by All-Star Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni of the Colorado Rapids will be announced on Sautrday, July 18.

Real Salt Lake faces the LA Galaxy in the quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday at Rio Tinto Stadium. Tickets to the Open Cup match can be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.

NICK RIMANDO Q&A

Q - What is your reaction to being voted by the fans to the All-Star Fan XI?

Nick Rimando - "I'm extremely happy to be voted by the fans to The 2015 All-Star Game. There's been some fantastic goalkeeping around the league this year so I'm humbled, grateful and honored to represent the fans."

Q - You've played against Manchester United, AS Roma and Bayern Munich. What experiences do you take from those All-Star appearances?

Nick Rimando - "I've been on both sides of how these games can go and if you don't come out with the right mentality and mindset and quickly try to get on the same page and become a team these games can become lopsided. Last year was a great example that we can compete with one of the best teams in the world. With the quality of players we have in MLS there's no question we can't continue to win these games."

Q - What challenges do you expect from Tottenham?

Nick Rimando - "They've been one of the best teams in England for a while now and although they'll be in their preseason the players are going to want to impress their manager and get something out of this game. They have some very dangerous and special players that we'll have to circle on the board and beware of at all times. I expect a very aggressive-minded team."

Q - What do you look forward to most in the All-Star Game in Colorado?

Nick Rimando - "The days before are always fun but I'm looking forward to interacting and playing with some of the best players in the league. I'm also looking forward to convincing all those players to come to Salt Lake, that's always tough but I'm up for the challenge."

Check out the Real Salt Lake Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from July 13, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central