Real goalkeeper gains confidence

It's not easy being a goalkeeper in Major League Soccer. It's like having the same job security as an NFL kicker.

One game you're hot and can do no wrong. The next, you make one mistake and you're the goat, and fans are screaming for your head.

Nick Rimando's been on the short end of that scenario several times this year.

He was the goat against Dallas in the season-opener and then again in Week 3 at Chivas USA, making two mistakes that ultimately cost him his starting spot.

Rimando tried not to sweat the demotion too much. He'd been down that path before and knew his time would come again.

"I've been through it before in D.C. and in different places, and you've just got to keep your head straight. You can't have a bad attitude," said Rimando. "You've got to go into every training like you're starting and prepare to play, and know when your number's called you've got to be ready."

Sure enough, after backing up rookie Chris Seitz in a 2-0 loss to Colorado and then a 3-3 draw with New York, Rimando got his chance in a rematch with Colorado last week and came up big with five saves in the 1-1 tie.

"I really feel glad he's come out and made a couple of really good saves for us," said RSL coach Jason Kreis following the match. "I think that's exactly what we need. He's got a little bit of confidence under him and hopefully he gets better and better."

The former D.C. United keeper's confidence was obviously an issue in those first few games, as he made two critical mistakes at inopportune times for Real. The first was in stoppage time of RSL's season-opener against Dallas, and the second was in the opening 30 seconds at Chivas USA.

Those two instances in particular prompted former coach John Ellinger to sit his veteran keeper for the April 30 match against Colorado, a decision Kreis upheld in his first game as head coach against New York on May 5.

In that match against the Red Bulls, it was Seitz's indecision that cost RSL an early goal, even though he seemed to play well enough the rest of the way.

After evaluating the situation and to promote fairness, Kreis opted to switch back to the veteran Rimando last week.

"We told the goalkeepers what we're telling everyone on the field: You will all be evaluated equally," said Kreis.

Based on his performance against the Rapids, in which the only goal he allowed was an unfortunate own goal, Rimando will most definitely be in goal this Sunday as RSL continues its monthlong road trip with a match at FC Dallas.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com