Nick Rimando has always been known for his versatility as a goalkeeper. In addition to being an excellent shotstopper that is the all-time MLS leader in shutouts, he has also garnered a reputation for his ability with the ball at his feet.
On Thursday, though, even he felt weird in a different role when he joined the U.S. National Team I Seattle for its Quarterfinal meeting with Ecuador in Copa America Centenario. As opposed to the jersey that he normally finds in his locker, it as a U.S. polo with a credential emblazoned with “COA” across the front.
“First time I’ve had that,” he smiled on Friday. “It was definitely weird, but it was a good experience.”
Rimando was called in as a guest goalkeeper coach by U.S. National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, leaning on the veteran’s propensity for penalty kick saves in the event that the match went to a shootout. It made for a busy week for Rimando, who was also in the stands for RSL’s meeting with the Wilmington Hammerheads in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as Jeff Attinella backstopped Salt Lake to a shootout victory on Tuesday, trained with RSL on Thursday and then flew out to Seattle before returning to Utah for training on Friday.
“I’ve always told Jurgen I’m a phone call away and when that phone call comes, you answer when it’s from the national team coach. If you can help your national team in any way you do,” Rimando said. “He called me to come in for support and for my two cents if it came down to penalty kicks. I got on the next flight out and was able to not miss any trainings here. Obviously it didn’t come down to it, but it was a good experience.”
Before flying to Seattle for the match, Rimando called RSL captain Kyle Beckerman and other U.S. teammates Fabian Johnson, Brad Guzan and Tim Howard. With their encouragement, the was excited to come out to contribute to the locker room any way he could. After meeting with Klinsmann and U.S. goalkeeper coach Russell Payne and constructing a plan with Payne, Guzan and Howard, he felt like part of the group.
“Once I got in there, I felt right at home. To have that welcoming and be part of that game and that win, it was a good feeling,” Rimando said. “It was cool. When your national team coach thinks you can bring something to the team … it says a lot about what he thinks about me. I’m proud to be a part of it, for sure.”
The week has hardly calmed down for Rimando. Upon landing in Salt Lake City on Friday, he trained in advance of RSL’s return to MLS play against the Portland Timbers on Saturday and celebrated his 37th birthday. Now, with RSL sitting in third in the Western Conference his focus is solely on keeping pace with the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas amidst a busy portion of the schedule as RSL continues a stretch of six matches in MLS and Open Cup play in 18 days.
With the U.S. advancing to the semifinal on Tuesday, Rimando may also see that “COA” credential in his locker yet again, although with RSL facing the New York Red Bulls on Thursday it wasn’t yet clear if Rimando would be available for the trip to Houston for Copa America.
