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SANDY — Nick Rimando owns every major record for goalkeepers in Major League Soccer history.
The 39-year-old Real Salt Lake veteran announced Friday that the 2019 season will be his last, after he’s already the all-time league leader with 223 wins, 157 shutouts, 1,756 saves, 47,165 minutes player by a goalkeeper, and 522 starts.
But he’s never won MLS goalkeeper of the year.
Should that change?
One fan believes so — and he wants Major League Soccer to do something about it.
Nephi Henry, who lives in Provo, organized a change.org petition Friday afternoon, urging the league to officially recognize Rimando as the all-time great he assuredly is.
How? By renaming the annual MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award after Real Salt Lake’s G.O.A.T.
"Rimando has consistently represented his family, his club, and his country in a manner that exemplifies honor and sportsmanship," Henry said. "The tenacity and professionalism he demonstrates as a player have earned him the moniker 'Wall of the Wasatch,' and many across the league would argue, the position of greatest goalkeeper in the history of MLS.
"Rather than leave for what some would consider greener pastures, Rimando chose to make MLS his home. Let’s ensure that a player like that, who has honored his league so faithfully his entire career, receives the league’s honor in return."
Henry created the change.org petition as Rimando was racking up honors and accolades league-wide. But Friday’s retirement announcement "just felt right" to formally launch the grassroots campaign, he told KSL.com.
"It didn’t really seem right until he decided to hang up his gloves," Henry said.
As of Saturday afternoon, just under 100 people had signed the petition. Signatures are still being accepted at change.org.
Real Salt Lake opens the 2019 season at Houston. The game will be streamed live on KSL.com beginning at 3:30 p.m. MST.
