For nearly five years, goalkeeper Nick Rimando has been a fixture on D.C. United's roster, the unquestioned No. 1 between the posts despite a coaching change, consistent turnover on his defensive line and several operations on his 26-year-old knees.
Rimando's dominance of the goalkeeping record books at the most storied club in MLS history makes for remarkable reading: most appearances, most saves, best goals-against average, most shutouts, most minutes played and most overall wins, and single-season records for saves and clean sheets.
The former UCLA star built his reputation on exceptional agility and athleticism, which has produced a career's worth of spectacular reaction saves -- and compensated for his 5-foot-10 frame and the occasional moment of suspect decision-making.
United recognized Rimando's contributions with a contract extension in December. But a few erratic moments at key points in the 2005 campaign, combined with the Black-and-Red's patchy defensive form, have led some to question his reliability, and the fact that backup Troy Perkins was in the starting lineup for the first two matches of the squad's preseason trip to Spain has only increased such speculation.
Rimando remains unperturbed by such rumblings.
"That's the media," said the veteran netminder. "That's what they're supposed to do, and if they want to [doubt] me, that's their job. But I'm sticking to my guns, and for now, it's my spot to lose ... I feel great, and I think it's up to me if I get that spot or not."
Perkins, who impressed during an extended stint as the starter while Rimando battled knee problems in the summer of 2004, also refuses to be drawn into speculation about the starting job.
"To be honest, with any coaching staff, you never know," said Perkins. "Because one day they're saying, yeah, it's not open. And the next day, they're like, OK, it's open. So really, you just can't even worry about it. You've just got to go out, do the best you can do, and make sure you're doing everything you possibly can, so if they decide to give you a chance, then you're ready to step in."
Both are quick to point out United's solid defensive statistics (1.16 goals allowed per game) last season.
"You've got to look at last year," said Perkins "We had, as a team, the best goals-against average we've ever had. So obviously, the goalkeeping has been pretty good over the last year or two."
But those numbers are often overlooked in light of the club's failure to bring home a trophy from the four major competitions in which it took part.
"I guess at the end of the day, it's how you do, if you win the MLS Cup. We didn't get any results in the tournaments we were in," said Rimando, who admits that his offseason has been haunted by United's last game of 2005, the 4-0 thrashing by the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium that sent D.C. crashing out of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.
"You try to get it out of your head, you know? But that was the worst [playoff] defeat here in history," he said of the humiliating loss, which was blown open by three Fire goals in the first half.
Perkins notes that for goalkeepers, being second-guessed is an inevitable part of the job description.
"It's even worse for the player himself," he said. "You only really remember the mistakes you make. They kind of linger, and that's why, at this level, you've got to be able to put it behind you and look ahead."
Rimando is determined to validate his coaching staff's faith by the time United's 2006 campaign kicks off against the MetroStars on April 2.
"I think you have to have their confidence for them to put you on the field, and they put me on the field last year," he said. "Again, it comes back to the last game -- we didn't go as far as we wanted to go. I know that's in their heads; it's in my head. But during preseason I want to prove that I am the one. I want to be in the nets, and carry this team throughout this next season."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
