Nick Rimando Inducted Into National Soccer Hall Of Fame
May 3, 2025, 4:26 PM | Updated: 4:27 pm
SANDY UT - MARCH 14: Goalie Nick Rimando #18 of Real Salt Lake looks downfield during their game against the Philadelphia Union at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 14, 2015 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SANDY, Utah- Legendary Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando has received one of the most prestigious honors that American Soccer has to offer, an induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Nick, who currently holds the MLS record in every single possible category for a goalkeeper, was introduced on Saturday afternoon at the 2025 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Frisco, Texas.
Your Claret & Cobalt fam couldn’t be happier for you, @NickRimando ❤️💙#RSL | @soccerhof pic.twitter.com/GgAoobcXNn
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 3, 2025
Nick Rimando At Real Salt Lake
After the retirement of Scott Garlick in 2006, Nick Rimando was traded to Real Salt Lake, forever changing the trajectory and legacy of the club.
He immediately showed his value in his first season as the starting goalkeeper in 2007 by leading the MLS in saves with 146 and being recognized as Real Salt Lake’s Most Valuable Player.
It didn’t take long for Rimando’s presence to be a factor on the big stage. In the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs, Real Salt Lake won both the Semifinal against Chicago and the MLS Cup Final against LA Galaxy in penalties, where Nick came up huge. In the final, Rimando made two saves in the shootout to help RSL achieve their first and only MLS Championship, and winning the MLS Cup MVP.
In 2010, Rimando and the Real Salt Lake defense allowed the least amount of goals in the league and set a record for fewest goals against in a single season.
Nick Rimando retired in 2019, but not before setting the MLS records for games played and goals started as a goalkeeper, minutes, wins, shutouts, and saves, making him arguably the greatest MLS goalkeeper of all time.
Nick Rimando At The National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
At the National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Nick Rimando had a message for the rising generation of soccer players, saying, “Believe in your journey even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard, because that’s where greatness is built. Not in the comfort, but in the grind and the resilience and in the refusal to quit.”
"Let the doubt be your fuel, not your ceiling."@NickRimando's message to the next generation! pic.twitter.com/bMfs5amKKs
— National Soccer HOF (@soccerhof) May 3, 2025
Up Next For Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake hits the road to take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC tonight, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. MT. Tune in on the MLS Season Pass or listen on the KSL Sports Zone.
Real Salt Lake currently sits at 10th in the Western Conference standings with 12 points, but they only sit four points out of a four-way tie for third place between Austin FC, Minnesota United FC, and the Colorado Rapids.
