Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando has been named MLS Player of the Month for July by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) after posting three shutouts in four MLS matches - home vs. two-time MLS defending champion Houston Dynamo, home in the 2-0 win vs. Columbus Crew and away vs. Chicago Fire in the 0-0 draw on July 19. His efforts helped lead RSL to the top of the Western Conference for the first time in club history, as the team went undefeated in July (2-0-2, earning eight of a possible 12 points).
"It feels great that our defense - not just me, not just our back four, but our entire team's commitment to the defensive side of the ball - has been recognized, and I'm grateful to be so honored on the team's behalf," said Rimando, the first goalkeeper to win the award since former D.C. 'keeper Troy Perkins in August 2007. "This award is a testament to how well this team is coming together and to the hard work across the organization - ownership, front office, coaching staff and players - that has brought us to this point."
After a 2-5-2 start, RSL has rocketed up the standings, going undefeated in nine of its last 10 League games. RSL (7-6-6, 27 points) currently sits alone atop the West, four points ahead of the Houston Dynamo and the Los Angeles Galaxy. This is the first career Player of the Month award for Rimando and the first RSL Player of the Month winner since Jeff Cunningham was so honored in August 2006.
Rimando began the month by recording three consecutive shutouts in League play, and allowing just one goal in four matches throughout the month. The 28-year old California native secured a tie for RSL on July 3 by blocking two great chances in the last 15 minutes of play, denying attempts by Houston midfielders Ricardo Clark and Brian Mullan. On July 12, in a 2-0 home win against the Columbus Crew, Rimando's clean sheet allowed RSL to secure first place for the first time in club history.
Rimando conjured up spectacular saves against the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC in RSL's next two matches to ensure the team's positioning at the top of the Western Conference table. Playing at Chicago, Justin Mapp made a hard run in the 87th minute inside the box to unleash the potential game-winner, but Rimando stopped the shot to protect the 0-0 draw, securing his league-leading seventh shutout of 2008. Rimando capped the month with a sprawling save in the 75th minute of a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC to deny the visitors of any points on the road and give RSL a winning record for the first time in the team's 113-game history.
Rimando is in his ninth season in the League and second with Real Salt Lake. After playing for the United States in the 1999 World Youth Championship, Rimando was selected by the Miami Fusion in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. Interestingly, Rimando, RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey and RSL Assistant Coach Jeff Cassar appeared in all but 14 of the Fusion's all-time 120 matches.
After starting 22 games in his rookie season, Rimando helped the Fusion win the 2001 MLS Supporters' Shield. He then spent five years with D.C. United, winning the 2004 MLS Cup and setting the all-time club record for lowest goals-against-average (1.00) in a season. With RSL last season, Rimando led the League in saves (146) and finished second in save percentage (76.4%). This season, Rimando is tied for the League lead in shutouts (seven) and ranks third in MLS in goals-against average (1.05). Rimando and RSL return to action on August 16 against the Houston Dynamo.
The Major League Soccer Player of the Month is selected following the last regular season game of each month by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership guidelines can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
2008 MLS Player of the Month Awards
April: Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
May: Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Chicago Fire
June: Luciano Emilio - D.C. United
July: Nick Rimando - Real Salt Lake
