SANDY, Utah – Nick Rimando and Tim Howard go way back. Long before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and long before both became MLS stars, Rimando and Howard were teenagers sharing a dream – and a room.
"We met on the Under-17 US national team and traveled the world together as roommates since we were 14, 15 years old," Rimando says. "We grew up together. We pushed each other and over the course of playing soccer we became really good friends."
Now, 13 years after they first went head to head in MLS, Rimando and Howard will clash again in Friday night's Real Salt Lake-Colorado Rapids Rocky Mountain Cup rubber match (8 pm ET; UniMás in US | MLS LIVE in Canada). Howard owns a 5-4-0 record over Rimando from his days with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
While Howard made a name for himself in the Premier League with Manchester United and Everton following a high-profile transfer in 2003, Rimando found a home at RSL following five seasons with D.C. United and two as a member of the Miami Fusion.
Rimando was voted the best all-time MLS goalkeeper last week out of a bracket that included the likes of Howard, Kasey Keller, Kevin Hartman and other MLS legends. He also owns MLS all-time records for shutouts, wins, minutes played and starts. Rimando is also closing in on the marks for total games played and career saves, but says he can't claim the title of MLS's best in good conscience.
"There have been so many good goalkeepers that played in this league," he says. "Brad Friedel played in this league, Timmy, [Brad] Guzan. When you look at it, it’s the longevity of [me] playing in MLS. There’s been a lot of good goalkeepers in this league."
The one honor Rimando can't claim is MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Sixteen different netminders have been recognized for their regular-season performance as voted on by media, MLS players and club management. That list doesn't include Rimando, but he’s learned to put it in perspective.
"In the past, it meant that I wasn’t getting this award when the team and myself were playing great," he says. "Now, it’s more something to talk about. I definitely don’t want a pity award. I want to win MLS Cups, and if it comes, it comes."
Salt Lake is positioning itself to make a run at another MLS Cup after defeating MLS-leading FC Dallas 1-0 on Saturday. They'll host Colorado and Howard on Friday night with a chance to draw even in second place in the Western Conference in addition to deciding which team holds on to the Rocky Mountain Cup.
"When he steps across that line, he’s playing to win," Rimando says. "He’s playing to get a shutout. He’s very passionate about this sport, and whether he’s in an Everton kit or a Colorado kit, he’s going to do whatever it takes to win."
"When we cross that line, we’re not going to be training with each other, we’ll be playing against each other," he adds. "It’ll be a good fight and we’ll go have a pint after."
