Real Monarchs Announce Goalkeeper Coach

March 14, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Real Monarchs News Release

HERRIMAN, UTAH – Real Monarchs announce the signing of Club legend Nick Rimando as the Goalkeeper Coach. Rimando, arguably the greatest goalkeeper in the history of American club soccer, joins a staff led by Head Coach Mark Lowry ahead of the Monarchs’ season opener at home on March 15 against Portland Timbers 2.

Rimando will be well-known to fans of the world’s game in Utah, having served as the last line of Real Salt Lake’s defense for 13 years. Although he was a familiar face in America First Field for more than a decade, his time with the Claret-and-Cobalt is undoubtedly highlighted by a heroic 2009 MLS Cup Championship performance that saw RSL victorious on penalty kicks over LA Galaxy, Rimando making three saves en route to becoming only the second goalkeeper to win MLS Cup Most Valuable Player. Rimando made 514 total starts between the posts for three American clubs, 369 of which for RSL, en route to a Hall of Fame-worthy career that saw him hang up his boots as the Major League Soccer record-holder for career wins, clean sheets, saves and total appearances.

Rimando has been part of RSL Academy as a goalkeeper coach for the past three seasons working closely with the talented pipeline of ‘keepers that includes Will Mackay (U15 USA) and Fernando Delgado (U17 Mexico). The RSL icon inherits the job from recent first-team promotion Mirza Harambasic who has helped develop current RSL backup and U.S. U-18 starlet Gavin Beavers, Delgado, Blake Kelly, Christian Olivares, Jeff Dewsnup, and David Ochoa.

Now, Rimando commits his talents to fostering the next generation of top goalkeeping talent in Utah, taking another step with the Club who has loved him for nearly 20 years.

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