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Real Salt Lake Re-Signs MLS Goalkeeping Icon Nick Rimando to Multi-Year Contract

January 24, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, UTAH - Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen has announced that Major League Soccer's all-time shutout king GK Nick Rimando has re-signed with the club. Rimando will enter his 12th season with RSL as the league's all-time leader in wins (196), appearances (452), starts (452) and shutouts (137). The longest-tenured RSL player, Rimando is a six-time MLS All-Star, two-time club Defensive Player of the Year and 2007 RSL Most Valuable Player.

Nick Rimando, Head Coach Mike Petke and the rest of Real Salt Lake will be available Tuesday following training (scheduled from 3:30-4:45 p.m. MT at the Zions Bank Real Academy in Herriman, Utah. Media members are strongly encouraged to RSVP and request player interviews early to ensure proper communication of any schedule changes and to fulfill interview requests***

"I couldn't be happier continuing my career with Real. This is home and I couldn't fathom leaving this club that means so much to me," Rimando said. "I was here in the glory days and want to help bring this club back where it belongs. I'm excited to get the season started. We have the coaches, players and potential to do big things."

Since coming to RSL in 2007, he has been central to the club's construction into the 2009 MLS Cup champions and a perennial playoff contender. He was MVP of the club's 2009 MLS Cup title and helped the club reach finals in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2013 MLS Cup while reaching the postseason in eight of the last 10 seasons. In his 11 seasons with the club, he holds a record of 130-98-79 in MLS regular season play with 101 shutouts and a 1.12 goals against average. Across all competitions, he is 147-114-91 with 116 shutouts and a 1.13 GAA for the club.

"He's the best goalkeeper in the history of the league," Real Salt Lake Head Coach Mike Petke said. "Playing with him in D.C. and winning a championship and seeing those special qualities - he has single-handedly embraced and took that position and become the best goalkeeper in our league's history. I am extremely ecstatic to have him back. When you take his veteran leadership and his experience, for me it's vital."

In addition, Rimando owns 21 caps for the U.S. National Team and was included on the roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. His storied career has seen appearances in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009, 2013 and 2015 - winning the Gold Cup title in 2013 - and the Copa America tournament in 2007 and 2016.

"Keeping Nick Rimando with Real Salt Lake was an important part of our plans in building the 2018 team," General Manager Craig Waibel said. "He brings leadership and consistent performance and understands what it means to wear the RSL badge on his chest."

The 38-year-old goalkeeper from Montclair, California, started his professional career with Miami in 2000 - Major League Soccer's fifth season - after a successful college career with the UCLA Bruins. After the Fusion were contracted following their 2001 Supporters' Shield-winning season, Rimando went to D.C. United, where he played from 2002-2007, winning MLS Cup in 2004. He came to RSL in a trade with D.C. United involving Freddy Adu in December of 2006, but later was traded to the New York Red Bulls in February of 2007, only to be reacquired by RSL two weeks later.

Real Salt Lake kicks off its 14th Major League Soccer preseason later today at 3:30 p.m. MT at the club's brand new, state-of-the-art training facility at the Zions Bank Real Academy in Herriman, Utah. In Head Coach Mike Petke's first preseason at the helm, RSL will hold multiple training sessions over at the club's indoor venue before departing for Tucson, Arizona next Wed., January 31.

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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.

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