We're at just about the halfway mark of the 2013 season and midseason awards columns are starting to roll out.
ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle's gave RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando some love in his awards column on Monday morning, naming the veteran 'keeper his MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Nice call, Jeff: Amongst goalkeepers with at least 10 starts, Rimando leads the league in save percentage, wins and goals against average and is near the top in shutouts and saves.
Of course, Rimando brings much more than solid numbers to RSL. As Carlisle points out:
"The veteran netminder's contribution transcends mere numbers. RSL's rebuilding project saw the departure of former Defender of the Year Jamison Olave while injuries to Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Chris Schuler have also prevented RSL from fielding anything remotely resembling a consistent backline. All of which points to Rimando's experience and organization in keeping RSL among the league's defensive leaders."
Currently with the U.S. national team, Rimando will return to RSL following the conclusion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the end of July. He'll likely be in action at Rio Tinto Stadium with the U.S. squad this Saturday, when the Americans will take on Cuba at 1:30 p.m. in the first match of a Gold Cup doubleheader that will see RSL forward Alvaro Saborio and Costa Rica take on Belize at the RioT at 4:00 p.m. Get your tickets to the Gold Cup doubleheader here.
