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Oceanside, Calif. • Nick Rimando is partial to his point of view, and he's not apologetic about it.
"For me, it's always been defending — and not just because I'm a goalkeeper," he said. "Defense wins games, defense wins championships."
Now age 36 and entering his 17th season in Major League Soccer, Rimando said he's adamant to correct the defensive leaks that were all-too-commonplace a year ago at Real Salt Lake. The club allowed 48 goals in 34 regular-season games, the most it has conceded since its second year in MLS in 2006. The adjustment to a new formation, the departure of veteran defenders and the massive amount of injuries to the back line often led to lopsided scores in 2015.
"At times [the new look] was nice, but a lot of the time, it wasn't," Rimando said. "I think this year is another year under our belt that we can improve on that style and play. But again, we're not going to win games if defensively we're not together out there and playing hard defense."
The first of two preseason training camps in Oceanside was strictly about honing defensive shape and the ability to absorb pressure. Coach Jeff Cassar said before entering scrimmages against San Diego State and Liga MX's Club Tijuana that he didn't want his players worrying about going forward at all.
If RSL is to nail down this new look, it will start in the back.
"I think we'll get chances from defending right and in our heads, from Day 1, the games are going to be easier for us as a team," Rimando said.
The franchise's star goalkeeper the past nine seasons, Rimando called 2015 "the most frustrating year" of his career. It was a year he wants to forget and can't do so fast enough. The defensive breakdowns, the losses, they were maddening — but so was a right knee injury he picked up last summer while with the U.S. men's national team during the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The last four months of the year, Rimando played with torn meniscus in his right knee. Two weeks after the season ended, he underwent successful surgery to repair the damage from which he's since recovered.
The RSL roster featured more offseason turnover, but with that, brought some high-profile signings such as the return of forward Yura Movsisyan, who spent the past six seasons in Europe. Rimando said the acquisition was a first step to building back toward the postseason, but added RSL remains a "couple more pieces" from being a potential contender.
"If it's on the field or off the field, it's a growing league and we know that," he said. "We have to keep up with that."
As the seasons have added up, so does the need to better prepare his aging body. Rimando sticks to his mantra — "Age is just a number, man" — but admits ensuring a full bill of health isn't as easy as it once was.
"If I'm out there and I'm still contributing and I feel like my head's in the game, my passion's still there in my heart, then I'm going to play as long as I can," he said. "Once I feel I take a step back, when I play these games and losing doesn't mean anything, that's the time I'm going to have to face questions with myself."
The league's all-time shutout leader with 1,363 saves to his name, Rimando is closing in on another personal milestone. Should he manage 22 appearances in 2016, he'll tie retired goalkeeper Kevin Hartman for most games played in league history. If he gets to 23, another MLS record will be his. The last time Rimando played in less than 23 regular-season games was 10 years ago with D.C. United.
"I can't even put into words how big of an influence he is on our team [and] I think on the city as a whole," said midfielder Jordan Allen. "He's a guy that will demand the best out of him, and that alone, raises the level of everybody."
Rimando doesn't read into the milestone talk that much. If he happens to be approaching one, he knows a text message from his mom will come sooner than later as notification.
"Just play and have fun — that's what I've done my whole career," he said. "If I've done that, then I can do the same thing, then more of those milestones will come."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Nick Rimando file
Age • 36 Position • Goalkeeper
Acquired by RSL • In a trade with NYRB for a 2008 MLS SuperDraft pick and 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft pick in Feb. 2007.
Hometown • Montclair, Calif.
Pro career • Real Salt Lake (2007-present), D.C. United (2002-2006), Miami Fusion (2000-2001).
International career • Has made 21 career appearances for the U.S. men's national team, including five shutouts … Was part of the 2014 U.S. World Cup roster in Brazil.
Accolades • League's all-time shutout leader with 123 … Has played the second- most games in MLS history.