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Sandy • Real Salt Lake coach Jeff Cassar has a prediction for his team's next matchup with the rival Colorado Rapids.
"Goals are going to come at a premium this game," he said.
With RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando in net on one end and U.S. men's national team star Tim Howard, this chapter of the Rocky Mountain Cup will be a showdown between arguably the best goalie in Major League Soccer history and one of the best keepers this country has ever produced.
And, in some ways, the two keepers can each thank the other for helping get to this point in their vaunted careers.
For five years, when both players were part of the U.S. youth national team, Howard and Rimando were friends, teammates and roommates.
"We traveled the world together," Rimando said. "I have a lot of memories with Timmy. … I'm not surprised that he's still going and still going at this caliber. He's one of the best goalkeepers I've ever played with."
They were also fierce competitors.
"We battled together," Rimando said. "We made each other better on the training field. We competed for that spot. Still to this day, when we go into the national team, we're encouraging and pushing each other."
Their careers have taken different paths to soccer stardom.
For Rimando, 16 years in Major League Soccer has led him to the top of the league's record books when it comes to wins and shutouts, making him the gold standard for MLS keepers.
"What I think is that he's the greatest goalkeeper in MLS history," Howard told MLSsoccer.com. "I think that has nothing to do with anyone's opinion of anything. His longevity and his records and his numbers speak for themselves."
Howard, meanwhile, left the league in 2003 for England, where he suited up for Manchester United and Everton, proving himself in one of the world's top leagues.
But after 13 years abroad, Howard decided this spring to come home.
Cassar, a former goalkeeper himself, is glad to see Howard back in the States.
"I'm a fan of this league," the coach said. "I want to see the best players [possible] coming back. And Tim has meant so much to this league and this country, to see him back it's fantastic."
Then he added with a laugh, "I mean, I would have loved to see him in the East."
Friday will mark Howard's first trip to Rio Tinto as a player in the league. In previous stops, with Everton and the U.S. national team, fans showed their appreciation for their country's top goalie.
This time, Howard expects a different reception.
"That excitement for everyone to see me will end with the whistle to start the game," Howard said.
The same goes for Howard and Rimando, who will set their friendship on hold for 90 minutes, to face off as rivals.
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids
P At Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
Kickoff • Friday, 6 p.m.
TV • KMYU, UniMas
Radio • 700 AM
Records • RSL 11-8-7; Colorado 11-3-10
Last meeting • Rapids 1, RSL 0 (May 7 at DSG Park)
About RSL • Can regain the Rocky Mountain Cup and leapfrog the second-place Rapids with a win. … Defender Aaron Maund has a broken toe and is out indefinitely. … Midfielder Jordan Allen (hamstring) is expected to be back in action for the first time this month.
About Colorado • The Rapids have allowed a league-low 20 goals this season. … Has never won at Rio Tinto Stadium and have managed just five goals in 11 trips to Sandy. … Colorado coach Pablo Mastroeni and RSL coach Jeff Cassar were teammates together with the Miami Fusion at one point during their playing careers.