SALT LAKE CITY — Real Salt Lake is one of the top teams in Major League Soccer (MLS), thanks in large part to its Filipino-American goalkeeper, Nick Rimando.
The Southern California native has been playing for the Claret-and-Cobalt for 5 years. During that span, he’s collected a MLS title, MLS Cup MVP award, and 48 victories.
“He’s awesome,” said teammate Kyle Beckerman. “For me, he’s the best goalie in the league. He’s been the best for a while now.”
But Rimando’s talent goes beyond the soccer field. In fact, last year, he raised close to $10,000 for the United Way of Salt Lake.
“In our profession, you have the opportunity to talk to kids, be a good role model, and give back to the community and charities and it feels good to do that,” he said.
For that reason, Rimando plans on giving more of his time to service activities and the building up of soccer—a sport that he hopes will continue to flourish in both the United States and the Philippines.
“We’re just starting to grow it here, and I hope it gets more and more bigger there, but to have that on my back as a Filipino, it feels good to carry the weight here in the States.”
Although he’s never been to the Philippines, Rimando hopes to visit sometime in the near future and maybe even hold soccer camps for the Filipino youth.
“From what I hear, that country is buzzing right now with soccer, so it would be great to get over there and see it.”
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