
Nick Rimando has long been one of MLS’ most highly-regarded shot-stoppers, and now the Real Salt Lake star can now call himself the league’s winningest goalkeeper.
A pair of Javier Morales goals led RSL to a 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday while earning Rimando his 181st career win. The victory sees Rimando move past Kevin Hartman on the all-time leaderboard, sealing yet another record for the 37-year-old goalkeeper.
Rimando was called upon to make four saves on Saturday, but it was RSL’s attack that did the damage on the night. Olmes Garcia opened the scoring just 14 minutes in by finishing off a Morales assist. Then, 14 minutes later, Morales added a goal of his own, finishing from the penalty spot after Juan Manuel ‘Burrito’ Martinez was fouled by Eric Gehrig in the box.
The Fire pulled one back in the 58th minute through Arturo Alvarez, but a Morales clincher came six minutes later, as the midfielder rifled a shot off the post and in. The pair of goals and assist saw Morales lead Real Salt Lake to the club’s second win in three games, while the Fire are now winless in four straight.
Following the loss, the Fire turn their focus towards the U.S. Open Cup for Tuesday’s clash with the New England Revolution, while RSL looks to continue to build momentum against the Seattle Sounders next Sunday
MAN OF THE MATCH
With two goals and an assist, Javier Morales proved unstoppable on Saturday while continuously harassing an overmatched Fire team.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Arturo Alvarez’s second half finish could have been a lifeline for the Fire, but Morales’ goal just six minutes later ended any hopes of a Fire comeback.
MATCH TO FORGET
A young Fire team will look to move on from Saturday’s match as soon as possible, but veteran defender Eric Gehrig will be frustrated to concede a penalty in only his second start of the 2016 season.