Real Salt Lake closes out a stretch of six matches in 18 days Friday night against D.C. United at Rio Tinto Stadium. Here are three things to know about our visitors from the nation’s capital.
Goalkeepers Galore
Once upon a time, Nick Rimando won an MLS Cup for D.C. United back in 2004. For the last 10 years he has been a stalwart in goal for Real Salt Lake. As has Bill Hamid since his arrival as the club’s first Homegrown Player back in 2009. While Rimando has gone on to become the league’s all-time leader in shutouts, Hamid has established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in the league. In 144 career matches, he has 41 shutouts and a 1.23 goals against average and took home MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2014. After recovering from off-season knee surgery, Hamid has posted three shutouts in four starts this year for D.C.
MLS Cup Veterans
D.C. United hasn’t been to MLS Cup since 2004 and the club’s four titles rank second in league history. And while no players remain from that ’04 club, there are a few players on D.C.’s squad with MLS Cup titles to their credit. Obviously Fabian Espindola won the championship in 2009 with Real Salt Lake, but Marcelo Sarvas (2012 and 2014) and Sean Franklin (2011 and 2012) also won with the LA Galaxy before joining D.C. On the coaching staff, Head Coach Ben Olsen and Goalkeeper Coach Zach Thornton both have raised the MLS Cup in their playing days.
Finding Their Level
It’s been an up and down season for D.C. thus far. After starting winless through the first five matches, United has posted five wins in the 11 matches since, all by shutout. With a scoreless draw against Houston mixed in, D.C. has proven to be sturdy defensively even while somewhat inconsistent on the offensive end. With Espindola and Alvaro Saborio (making his first appearance as a visitor at Rio Tinto Stadium) in tow and Lamar Neagle coming off of a stunning Goal of the Week winner, there is the motivation and form to potentially see some goals from D.C. United.
