Rimando targeted by Atlanta United, Grant Wahl says

Has Nick Rimando played his last match for Real Salt Lake?

That may well be the case, with Sports Illustrated reporter Grant Wahl reporting that “sources” have indicated that Atlanta United is targeting the Wall of the Wasatch.

Sources say Atlanta United is interested in landing Rimando for the 2017 season. Rimando has one year left on a contract that pays him a guaranteed $420,000, making him the second-highest paid goalkeeper in the league behind Tim Howard. The big question is whether Salt Lake will protect Rimando and his big salary number ahead of the Dec. 13 expansion draft.

While unnamed sources are hardly a substitute for named sources, it’s an interesting — and somewhat distressing — rumor. Rimando has been at the heart of the club since his arrival, which predated the coaching tenure of former RSL coach Jason Kreis.

RSL Soapbox sought comment from RSL Communications on the rumor, whose response indicated that Rimando — and Jeff Attinella, for that matter — would be attractive targets for all 21 teams playing in MLS next year.