Seattle vs. RSL: Nick Rimando, Man of the Match

In a game where not much was going well offensively, especially for the first 60 minutes, a lot was asked of Nick Rimando.

The Sounders tested him from the first whistle and Rimando had to make some difficult saves early on. He was up for the task as per usual. His reflexes were on point and the only goal that got past him took a deflection before it re-directed to the opposite side of the goal from Rimando.

The highlight of the match was his penalty kick save. After Chris Schuler committed the penalty, Clint Dempsey stepped up to take it. Any time Rimando steps in goal in that situation, a part of you thinks he could save it. It’s not a foregone conclusion by any means.

In this case, Rimando seemed to know exactly where Dempsey was going with it and knocked the ball out of danger. He made it look easy, frankly.

Here’s to the greatest MLS keeper of all time. He wins the Man of the Match award.