Another week went by and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando made another mind-blowing save that is up for MLSsoccer.com Save of the Week.
By now, his face save against the Houston Dynamo has become legendary as Rimando made an incredible stop on Andrew Wenger from close range. However, his finger-tip save on the initial shot on the sequence may be just as impressive, though less buzz-worthy.
With Real Salt Lake leading 2-1, Leonel Miranda streaked down the left side of the box and pushed a shot toward the far post. At full extension, Rimando got a finger to it to tip it into the post for the first incredible save. However, the rebound spilled right to Wenger at the edge of the six-yard box. With a full head of steam, the former No. 1 overall SuperDarft pick blasted a shot toward the open net, but Rimando sprung to his left, made himself as big as he could and blocked the would-be equalizer … with his face.
“The ball came across and I knew the guy was going to hit it, my instincts said he was going to go far post. I stayed and got my finger on it and it hit the post and I was just trying to make myself as big as I can,” Rimando said.
Rimando’s RSL teammates, though they’ve seen remarkable save after remarkable save from their backstop, were left in awe of his latest effort.
“There are not words for it; it’s incredible,” said forward Jordan Allen, who scored his first goal of the season and assisted on the game-winning goal by Yura Movsisyan. “But that’s Nick Rimando, that’s what he does, and we are very grateful to have him, obviously.”
Even players who have been around for years were searching for the right descriptors.
“I’m not even surprised any more. Nick’s incredible,” RSL defender Tony Beltran said. “He’s the greatest goalie this league has ever seen, probably ever will see. That’s a perfect example of why. He really keeps us in games sometimes. To make that big of an impact from that position – not many goalies can do that.”
To vote for Rimando, click here.
