The slow chants started to build throughout Rio Tinto Stadium as the final minutes ticked away on Real Salt Lake’s 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night. Nick Rimando was on the cusp of yet another MLS record and the 19,909 in attendance knew it and made sure that the RSL goalkeeper felt the love of a fanbase that had supported him for the last 10 years.
“Nick Ri-man-do!” They chanted as win number 181 drew nearer and nearer.
Then, when referee Silviu Petrescu blew the whistle for full time and the reality set in that Rimando had surpassed Kevin Hartman for the all-time wins record, Rimando spent time acknowledging those fans that had been chanting his name – whether they’d been along for his whole journey with the Claret-and-Cobalt or just joined the fray this year.