Ask Tim Howard about longtime friend and US Men’s National Team rival, and the answer is unambiguous: “Nick Rimando’s the greatest MLS goalkeeper there has been.”
Today, there is so much evidence to support Howard’s opinion that it might as well be fact. Rimando, like former DC United teammate and Union stalwart Brian Carroll, has made a career of consistent excellence. But early on, the UCLA product had to prove himself over and over. As Miami Fusion’s third-round draft pick, he was not expected to steal minutes from Jeff Cassar, but he did. After moving to DC United when Miami was contracted, Rimando out-competed Troy Perkins to lock down the starting role and (thanks to a Carroll penalty) lead DC to an MLS Cup.