Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando selected to play in All-Star Game

SANDY — One of Nick Rimando's youth teams growing up was named Arsenal, and predictably he's always supported Arsenal of the English Premiere League.

Next week, Real Salt Lake's keeper will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to line up against one of Arsenal's main EPL rivals — Manchester United.

On Monday, the 31-year-old Rimando was one of 13 additional players named to the MLS All-Star Team that will face Manchester United in Houston on July 28.

Fellow RSL teammates Jamison Olave, Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales were named as MLS First XI players last week.

"It's a huge accomplishment. It's something I've been working hard for. It's an honor to represent Real Salt Lake, the league and my family. It's something I've been looking forward to," said Rimando.

The All-Star nod is Rimando's first since 2001, and the secondary reward of playing against Manchester United makes the nine-year gap worth it.

"Once it got announced that Manchester United was going to be the opponent, I think everybody in this league would want to play against them to see how they stack up against them. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life and something I'm looking forward to," said Rimando.

Rimando was one of 11 additional players selected by MLS All-Star coach Bruce Arena, with MLS commissioner Don Garber naming Houston's Brian Ching and D.C. United's Jaime Moreno with his Commissioner's Picks. In last year's All-Star Game at Rio Tinto Stadium, Beckerman and Morales were Commissioner's Picks.

Rimando watched Everton beat the MLS All-Stars last year from the stands, but this year he'll likely be the starter.

Los Angeles keeper Donovan Ricketts was voted as the First XI keeper, but the Galaxy play a CONCACAF Champions League qualifying match the night before and he'll likely only be available as a substitute.

"I've heard some word about that, but starting or coming off the bench, I'll do either. It's just a privilege to be there," said Rimando.

Despite RSL's 2-0 loss at FC Dallas over the weekend, which saw Rimando's 566-minute shutout streak come to a close, he's still enjoying arguably his best year ever.

He was named the MLS Player of the Month in June and he's among the league leaders in almost every goalkeeping category. He's tied for second in wins (9), tied for third in goals against (0.81), tied for second in shutouts (7) and ranks third in save percentage (78.3).