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Jeff Attinella was waiting in the wings for his shot, planted behind one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Major League Soccer during the past four seasons.
Now, the 28-year-old goalkeeper will get his chance — it just won't be at Real Salt Lake. On Tuesday, RSL's longtime backup keeper was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 MLS expansion draft by incoming franchise Minnesota United FC.
The University of South Florida product started in 28 regular-season matches during his time at RSL, including a career-high 10 matches in both 2014 and 2015 while spelling starter Nick Rimando during his time with the U.S. men's national team. Considered one of the top backups in MLS, the 6-foot-2 Attinella helped RSL avoid dips with Rimando away on national-team duty the last three seasons.
RSL general manager Craig Waibel said Tuesday he kept his fingers crossed that Attinella wouldn't be taken. Instead, the once-likely long-term replacement for Rimando moves to a brand new club and stays in the Western Conference.
"Any new opportunity is something that I think a player needs to look at with a very optimistic outlook, and I know Jeff very well," Waibel said. "While I'm disappointed for our club based on the way this all played out, I'm excited for Jeff and the new opportunities he'll have."
Attinella was the lone under-contract player left unprotected in Tuesday's expansion draft. Due to mandated league rules associated with the expansion draft, clubs must protect three international players on their list of 11 untouchable players. After declining options on seven players and letting forward Burrito Martinez return to his native Argentina, RSL had just two players classified as international players on the current roster, though by MLS rules the team was forced to protect the international slot Martinez left behind.
That left Attinella available to be taken.
Waibel is unhappy that the team was unable to protect the goalkeeper. While acknowledging that the circumstances were unique, it frustrates him that he had to protect a player who already decided to move on. He plans to address the issue with the league.
"I'm certainly not sitting here saying that the rules weren't there before the season started," Waibel said. "I'm not in any way saying we completely got caught off guard, but at the same time, I do believe with the way this scenario played out, most of the time rules get reevaluated when there's something that challenges them. This particular situation I think certainly warrants challenging the way the rule is written."
Originally drafted by RSL in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, Attinella returned to the club in 2013 after starring with his hometown Tampa Bay Rowdies for two seasons. At RSL, Attinella turned heads around the league with his reliable play between the posts.
"Jeff certainly was a guy we developed here within the system, and certainly a guy we believe he has the ability to be a starter in this league," Waibel said. "Obviously with the relationship he and Nick had, it was very dynamic and one that we felt Jeff was doing very well in."
Waibel said RSL is already in pursuit of an experienced goalkeeper to challenge for the No. 2 spot alongside youngster Lalo Fernandez.
It needs to be "someone that we feel can come in and help us not skip a beat in regards to that role and getting called on," Waibel said. "We've been proactive in the sense that we knew Jeff's value, and clearly, we understood he could get taken in this expansion draft."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Jeff Attinella file
Position • Goalkeeper
Age • 28
Hometown • Clearwater, Fla.
College • Three-year starter at University of South Florida
MLS • Selected by RSL in the first round of the 2011 MLS supplemental draft
Years with RSL • Started 28 regular-season games in four years, logging over 2,500 minutes and making 107 saves
Acquired by RSL • Signed to a senior contract by RSL on Dec. 3, 2012
Minny makes its move • Expansion franchise Minnesota United FC chose Attinella fourth in MLS Expansion Draft