RETURN TO SENDER Goalkeeper dealt back to Real Salt Lake for two future fourth-round draft picks
The Red Bulls traded goalkeeper Nick Rimando -- reportedly to Real Salt Lake. Red Bulls photo by Ernesto Motta
By Dylan Butler
BigAppleSoccer.com Associate Editor
East Rutherford, N.J. -- Goalkeeper Nick Rimando's stay with the New York Red Bulls lasted a whole 14 days.
The Red Bulls announced they had traded Rimando Friday morning -- back to Real Salt Lake, from which they obtained him for future considerations on Feb. 9.
In return in the most current trade, the Red Bulls received a fourth-round pick in the 2008 MLS draft and a fourth-round selection in the 2009 supplemental draft.
RSL needed a keeper desperately after the club had learned that veteran goalkeeper Scott Garlick had decided to retire. So, they dealt for Rimando.
"I think it is in his best interests," Red Bulls sporting director and coach Bruce Arena said. "I think it is a good opportunity for Nick.
"I think at the end of the day, it was good to see how Nick sized up with our keepers. I think we still have two good goalkeepers here, so we're happy with everything here.
"I'm happy to put Nick in a position where he can be a first-team goalkeeper as well."
That Feb. 9 deal gave the Red Bulls four goalkeepers -- recent acquisition and Dutchman Ronald Waterreus and Jon Conway among the others -- fueling speculation the club will deal one, perhaps Conway.
Rimando, a seven-year veteran, was acquired by RSL in December along with Freddy Adu from D.C. United in exchange for a major player allocation, goalkeeper Jay Nolly and future considerations.
"It's been a bit crazy," Rimando was quoted by Washington Post soccer writer Steve Goff on his blog, the Soccer Insider. "I wish everything could've worked out sooner, but at the end of the day, that's where I wanted to be. I know a lot of the guys at Salt Lake and there's a lot of potential there. . . . I'm just going to do my best to get that No. 1 job."
The 27-year-old Rimando, a Montclair, Calif. native, played five seasons with United. Serving as the No. 1 keeper for four of those seasons, Rimando played a major role in D.C.’s successful 2004 MLS Cup run after coming back from an injury.
Rimando played with the now-defunct Miami Fusion, starting 47 games over two seasons in 2000 and 2001.
Rimando has a 1.32 goals-against average and has started in 145 MLS regular-season games. The UCLA product has registered a 66-52-27 record and 36 shutouts.
Now Conway, who was rumored to be dealt to Toronto FC for Montvale, N.J., native Alecko Eskandarian, remains with the Red Bulls. Last year, Conway wrestled the No. 1 job from Tony Meola down the stretch, capturing the MLS goalkeeping crown with a 1.00 GAA and a 7-2-3 record and five shutouts.
"For me, it doesn't make a big difference because I'm preparing to play somewhere," Conway said about the constant trade rumors. "Obviously the speculation of where it is piques your interest a bit to see what teams are involved and where you could possibly go. But I'm still preparing for the start of the season."
