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Rimando inches toward shutout record

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Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

With his clean sheet against the Chicago Fire Thursday night, Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando extended his shutout streak to 498 minutes, the fourth-longest streak in Major League Soccer history.

Rimando, who was so clutch in Salt Lake's improbable run to the MLS Cup last season, hasn't allowed a goal since Kansas City's Josh Wolff beat him in the 42nd minute of a 4-1 RSL win on May 29.

Should Rimando and Salt Lake shut out FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park next week, then eclipsing Tony Meola's all-time record of 681 minutes (set in 2000) would become even more of a legitimate possibility. Salt Lake's two games after that come at home against Chivas USA and D.C. United, two of the more anemic offenses in the league.

Currently, Rimando is behind Meola, Pat Onstad (547 minutes, 2007) and Kevin Hartman (521, 2006) in the all-time record book.

What do you make of Rimando's streak? Do you think he should start the MLS All-Star game? Do you expect him to break the record? Where do you think he ranks all-time among MLS goalkeepers?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Rimando himself posted this on his facebook. Clearly he understands that it is not just him but his defense also that is helping him do this.

    “I cant say enough about my defense, and when I say defense I mean the 10 people that play in front of me. We battled to the end and got another 3pts on the road. I know it didn’t look pretty but its a win and a well deserved one. on to Dallas.”

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  2. Never wanted him to leave DC.

    Saying that he still has almost 200 minutes remaining, which is almost a third more… A verrrry long time.

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  3. I hate to say it because he is a really good keeper, but if Rimando was taller than 5’10” he would be on the radar of many teams, and not just in MLS. He would be higher on the USMNT depth chart also.

    But seeing as to how he is such a great shot stopper, is height really that important for being a keeper? I mean, shorter than 5’10” might be a problem, but it doesn’t seem to hinder him at all. Not to mention that he can probably get to low balls easier. I would have thought being “short” would make it hard to stop PK’s, but again, he seems to be good at that too.

    Let the debate begin. How important is height for a keeper? What are the acceptable height ranges? How many great keepers have been turned away because of lack of “acceptable” height?

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  4. Yeah, good use of the word “rape.” Nothing makes me think of a Dallas victory more than forced sexual intercourse.

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  5. As an RSL fan since day one Nick is really good guy to boot…my daughter and I have got to know and he is a great pro and an even nice human being…..happy for him….hope he gets the record….:)

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  6. It was an odd game for Rimando last night. He didn’t have to make any great saves, but the Fire hit the post twice.

    Anyways, I know it’s a long way off, but Rimando if he keeps this up could be a potential candidate for the third keeper slot in Brazil in 2014….

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  7. It angers me that these streaks are considered the record of the Goalkeeper. This is a team accomplishment. Good defense can ONLY happen when the entire team (or at least most of it) works together. We all know that there are shots that no goalkeeper can save….the fact that Rimando hasn’t had to deal with many of those shots is due to his backline and his midfield being committed to defense. This isn’t Rimando’s streak or his record, it’s RSL’s.

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  8. I think breaking the record will be tough with another game on the road. Despite winning last night, RSL looked pretty uninspired and their defense was shaky in the second half.

    Having said that, Rimando definatly should be starting in goal against ManU…no question that he is the top keeper in MLS right now.

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  9. Rimando is clearly the best keeper in MLS right now. If he doesn’t start the all-star game, it will be a shame.

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  10. Rimando is a very good gk’er. A bit fortunate that the posts helped him keep out Kinney’s headers, but still a talented gk’er.

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