Nick Rimando - Real Salt Lake - MLS - 05.13.2010

Final: Real Salt Lake 3, Houston Dynamo
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT
MLS - Major League Soccer
05/13/2010

Nick Rimando
Houston Dynamo, #18
Overall Grade: C



Summary Statement


The majority of Rimando's involvement in this match was clearing back passes safely out of the Real Salt Lake zone. Rimando struggled with some of the crossed balls into the box where his positioning was questionable. Nick did well in the last minutes of the match to come off his line quickly and snag a break-away from an attacker's feet.

I do not feel that there was a enough action for Rimando in this match to do a complete analysis of his skill set. Many of the grading categories went ungraded.


Strengths
Foot skills. Clearances from feet. Break-always.


Weaknesses
Body positioning, decision making, and diverted balls… especially on crosses.
Complete Scorecard:
http://www.sidewebbing.com/gkgrades/scorecards/GKGrades_ReportCard_2010_05_13_MLS_RealSaltLake_Rimando.pdf

Technical Abilities: C

• Hands: There were very few shots in this match. Perhaps only one dangerous shot off a header in the 21st minute… which was not handles well by Rimando and required help from his defender to clear from a dangerous spot and give up a corner kick.
• Body Position: Caught out of position on multiple crosses.
• Diving: NG - No diving saves were attempted. Not enough information. Rimando should have made an attempt on the Houston goal. He stood still while the ball was put in the back of the net.
• Angles: NG - Not enough information.
• Footwork: Caught out of position on a cross and on the goal.
• Diverting: Completely missed a punch in the 71st minute and slapped a headed ball back into a dangerous area in the 21st min.
• Foot Skills: The majority of Rimando's touches in the match were from his feet. Handles the ball well.
• Breakaways/1-on-1: Did very well to quickly take the ball from the attackers feet in the 86th minute. Gave up a rebound but recovered.

Physical Attributes: C

• Balance: NG - Not enough information.
• Speed: Quick off the line to attack the ball.
• Reaction: One true reaction save made. Did well to make the save, but gave up a very dangerous rebound.
• Size: About 5'10". Considered shorter for a professional GK.
• Strength: Not enough information. Did not encounter much contact.

Aerial Intelligence: D

• Preparation: Positioning appeared to be good for air ball situations.
• Decision Making: Rimando came off his line multiple times where he changed his decision. He found himself in a vulnerable no-mans-land position on multiple occasions.
• Communication: NG - Not enough information.
• Timing: Mis-timed crosses on multiple occasions.

Distribution: B

• Punting/Drop Kicks: Some good. Some bad.
• Goal Kicks: Some good. Some bad.
• Throwing: Quick accurate throws. Probing throw up the middle in 6th minute to start a quick counter-attack.
• Bowling: NG - None attempted.
• From Feet: Did very well in this match with one touch clearances from back-passes.
• Decision Making: Played the ball shot to outside defenders when appropriate. Cleared ball long and wide when appropriate.

Psychological: C

• Confidence: Carries himself well. There is a definite presence with Rimando
• Leadership: To lead by example means to put forth 100% effort. In the goal, Rimando stood still while the ball was buried in the back of the net. You must at least make an effort to keep your teammates on your side.
• Mental Toughness: NG - Not many tests in this match, Not enough information.
• Courage: Displays an element of fearlessness when leaving his line.
• Attitude: NG - Not enough information.

Tactical: C

• Knowledge: NG - Not enough information.
• Decision Making: No poor decisions made in this game.
• Organization/Communication: Limited content to go on here. Communication appears adequate although earlier calls for the ball when Rimando come off his line are needed.

Final Result: C

• Victory/Draw/Loss: Win.
• Shutout (1) or (0): Late goal allowed. No shutout.
• Significance in Result (+/-): Rimando was not required to be much of a factor in the match. His counterpart had 25+ touches/tests while Rimando only had about 17…. Most of which were simple one time clearances from back-passes.

Uniform Kit: No Change

• Style: Simple style. Clean. Short sleeve Adidas.
• Coordination: Coordinated well… but I like more of a two-tone effect.
• Color: All Black.

Key Moments



5 min.
FOOT SKILL. DISTRIBUTION. One time clearance to midfield. Not a pretty ball.


6 min.
CROSS. DISTRIBUTION. Deflected cross from high and wide. Rimando positions body well and waits to see how the ball reacts on the bounce before committing to the ball. Good hand technique on ball collection. Distribution throw up the middle of the field cuts right through Houston midfield. Nice ball.


9 min.
FOOT SKILL. DISTRIBUTION. One time clearance to midfield. More effective that previous clearance.


17 min.
FOOT SKILL. DISTRIBUTION. Simple ball played from feet to defender.


18 min.
SAVE. Rimando comes off line to collect a bouncing through ball. Poor follow-up up punt that squeaks through Houston into an opening for Real.


21 min.
FOOT SKILL. DISTRIBUTION. One time clearance to midfield.


21 min.
SAVE. Ball headed towards goal from a cross. The ball takes a bounce before getting to Rimando who slaps the ball forward into a dangerous spot. Could have done better to secure this in his hands. Rebounded headed out quickly for a corner kick by Salt Lake.


32 min.
FOOT SKILL. DISTRIBUTION. One time clearance to deep into opponents end.


41 min.
CORNER KICK. Rimando starts to come off his line only to realize he will not get to the ball. He attempts to make himself big to block any header on goal. Rimando caught in no-mans land a little. Fortunate to have ball go oover the crossbar.


69 min.
DISTRIBUTION. Dead ball distribution played from feet into opponents side of the field. OK.


71 min.
CROSS. COMMUNICATION. Ball crossed into the top of the 6-yd area is cleared by a defender. Rimando comes off his line to attempt a punch. Communication lines were crossed with Rimando and his defender.


72 min.
GOAL. 6 Salt Lake defenders playing passive in the box gave Houston an opening for a clean shot from 12 yards. Would have liked to see Rimando make a big step out toward the ball to cut off the angle one it became obvious the attacker was shooting. Also would have liked to see Rimando make some kind of diving attempt at the ball. Even if you're not going to make the save, teammates appreciate the effort.


74 min.
COMMUNICATION. Rimando communicates well to properly set his wall.


86 min.
BREAKAWAY SAVE. Rimando comes off his line quickly to take a through ball off the foot of the attacker. Slips while attempting to recover rebound, but no harm. Well done.


87 min.
DISTRIBUTION. Punt of about 50 yards. Not bad, not great.


90 min.
DISTRIBUTION. Goal kick. Average to below avaerage.


91 min.
DISTRIBUTION. Goal kick. Better