Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando has long been the standard-bearer in his position in Major League Soccer. His career record of 129 shutouts is 17 beyond the previous record holder Kevin Hartman and 83 more than the next highest active goalkeeper, Stefan Frei with 46 clean sheets.
He took that show to the international stage on Sunday as the U.S. blanked Serbia in a scoreless draw in San Diego, as Rimando made two saves – including a key stop in the 89th minute – to earn his fifth career clean sheet with the U.S. National Team in his 22nd cap.
The match marked Bruce Arena’s return to the helm of the U.S. National Team, as a team of MLS players took the field at Qualcomm Stadium in the first of two matches in January camp. After a relatively quiet first half, Rimando was called into action for two big stops in the second half.
In the 71st minute, Enver Alivodić swung a free kick into the box and Miloš Simonović took a quick shot before anyone could reach him, but Rimando made the save to hold Serbia off the board.
Then the 89th minute drama came. Lazar Jovanović broke into the box up the left side and rocketed a shot that looked sure to break the deadlock, but Rimando pushed it away to preserve the clean sheet.
The U.S. outshot Serbia 12-8, but was only able to put one shot on frame – a Sebastian Lletget effort that was saved in the 47th minute.
Next up for the U.S. will be another week of training before taking on Jamaica on Friday in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
