RSL goalkeeper’s double save voted as top honor during his final MLS campaign
NEW YORK
(Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019)
– Major League Soccer announced today that Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando has garnered the 2019 MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate for his double-save effort against the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 24. Rimando becomes the first player to earn three MLS Save of the Year honors, adding to his accolades in 2012 and 2013.
The winning save was from
16 Save of the Year nominees
via online voting.
Rimando’s two-save effort set the tone early for RSL to help his side earn a 2-0 victory against Colorado and capture the 2019 Rocky Mountain Cup. During the corner kick sequence, Rimando turned away the initial header, and the rebound found its way to Colorado’s Kei Kamara. Kamara’s point-blank attempt was fended off by Rimando, who while sprawled on the ground stretched with his left glove to make the goal-line save.
The sequence was just another memorable highlight-reel moment during Rimando’s impressive 20-year MLS career, as he retires with a bevy of MLS goalkeeping records. The clean sheet was one of 10 during the 2019 season for Rimando, who capped off his career with five double-digit shutout seasons and a league-record 154 regular-season shutouts.
The nine-time MLS All-Star Rimando helped Real Salt Lake advance to the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. It marked the 10th postseason trip for Rimando during his 13 seasons with RSL. The organization had not advanced to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs prior to Rimando’s arrival.
The MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate was determined by fan votes on MLSsoccer.com. The Save of the Year was established starting in 2009.
All-time MLS Save of the Year winners:
2019: Nick Rimando –
Real Salt Lake | 8/24/19 vs. Colorado Rapids, 27th minute
2018: Stefan Frei –
Seattle Sounders FC | 7/4/18 vs. Colorado Rapids, 82nd minute
2017: Brad Guzan –
Atlanta United | 10/15/17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 65th minute
2016: Joe Bendik –
Orlando City SC | 5/15/16 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 45th minute
2015: Adam Kwarasey –
Portland Timbers | 8/15/15 vs. Real Salt Lake, 31st minute
2014: Luis Robles –
New York Red Bulls | 9/20/14 vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 69th minute
2013: Nick Rimando –
Real Salt Lake | 8/3/13 vs. Colorado Rapids, 53rd minute
2012: Nick Rimando –
Real Salt Lake | 4/14/12 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 75th minute
2011: Kasey Keller –
Seattle Sounders FC | 10/15/11 vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 64th minute
2010: Kasey Keller –
Seattle Sounders FC | 4/17/10 vs. Kansas City Wizards, 90th+2 minute
2009: Pat Onstad –
Houston Dynamo | 4/19/09 vs. Colorado Rapids, 83rd minute
