In keeping with this end-of-season theme (we've got a bit of it to go through, folks), I've decided to name my Player of the Year for each section of the field. Starting at the back is, I think, appropriate, and that means we'll start with the goalkeeper. (I promise, I'll try not to just name Borlave the defender of the year, as tempting at that will likely be.)
Right, so, goalkeeper of the year is actually a pretty easy choice. There was not much genuine competition for places, as we've got one of the best goalkeepers in the MLS playing for our side, and when he's fit, he plays. It's that simple.
Nick Rimando is constantly one of the goalkeepers in contention for Goalkeeper of the Year on a league-wide basis, and if Kasey Keller wasn't so intent on retiring, I remain convinced that he would be in the spot. He played all but a single match this season despite battling injury for parts of it, he allowed only just over a single goal per match (and that would have been less if not for injuries in the defense — I'm sure of it,) and he had one of the highest save percentages in the league.
He's shockingly consistent in his play, he communicates with his defense, and he's not afraid to stand up for the side. An able agent of the Claret and Cobalt, Nick has made Real Salt Lake a better club, and he's become a brilliant player. He may be a bit on the short side for a goalkeeper (though you wouldn't know it from his play), but he produces spectacular saves on a very regular basis. While most everyone looks toward the tall, string-bean goalkeepers who can reach anything simply by waving their arms about, Nick's ability to leap and reach anything
But aside from his play in goal, he is part of the reason we can afford to play the formation we do. Without genuine wingers in the side, we push our full backs up, and our center backs play a high line to catch players offside. That's well-established by now. But Nick's role in that is essential, acting as a sweeper-keeper in the truest sense of the modern formation. This, I think, is made possible by his ability to play with his feet, and to do so intelligently and effectively.
By mopping up at the back, holding up play when necessary, and making save after save after save, Nick shapes this side as much as any other player on the pitch. He is as essential as Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, as Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave. He's a piece of the puzzle you can't much do without — not one of those blue-sky pieces, but one of those that's got that lady's face on it, and without it, you've got quite a weird looking puzzle indeed.
Nick's two competitors, Kyle Reynish and Tim Melia, had three competitive matches between them (hint: It wasn't our literal No. 1 that played a match). Kyle Reynish, who played in the Open Cup and once in the league, looks like he could be quite good — but it's hard right now to see him getting more than his foot in the door as Nick Rimando holds down his position. Still, injury can strike at any time, and we've got at least one good man between the sticks. It's hard to complain about that.
'Til tomorrow.
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