Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando was the star of their MLS opener against Toronto FC at the Rio Tinto Stadium. The hosts survived multiple scares on goal, as early as the eigth minute, thanks to Rimando's acrobatic saves.
He even saved a Sabastian Giovinco penalty in the 31st minute to keep the visitors into the game at half-time. The two sides went to the break without a goal but it was Rimando's saves that dominated the headlines both online and offline.
According to Opta, the veteran shot stopper has saved 10 penalties since 2010. No other MLS keeper has saved more than six penalties over that time.
Watch his incredible save against Jozy Altidore in the 8th minute. That was close!
9' - Rimando HUGE Save against Jozy Altidore https://t.co/LBPeo708jc
— Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) March 4, 2017
Then he summed up the great first-half display by saving this penalty from Sebastian Giovinco
Wall of the Wasatch. #RSL https://t.co/758FPFvhEr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 4, 2017
And then Twitter exploded
First MLS Game and @NickRimando already stopped a penalty kick!
— DUPFLO#1 (@Dupuis_Florian) March 4, 2017
Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and Nick Rimando penalty saves. #RSLvTOR
— Nate Mower (@Lawn_Mower97) March 4, 2017
BALL. DOES. NOT. LIE. TO. NICK. RIMANDO. #RSL
— Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) March 4, 2017
When you make friends at the bar because everyone loves @NickRimando >
— katherine (@kv_tucker) March 4, 2017
And that is why @NickRimando is the #GOAT #RSLvTOR
— Derek Paulson (@d_ford_p) March 4, 2017