The Real Salt Lake offseason has come earlier than hoped. The team had an amazing turnaround this summer, and will now look to build into next season.
Following a disappointing start to the 2017 season, Real Salt Lake came just one point short of making the MLS Cup Playoffs. While the outcome is disappointing, the turnaround itself was quite impressive. RSL flirted with the bottom of the Western Conference until July before coming one of the strongest teams in the league.
With the offseason now in full force for them, we immediately look at potential changes that could be in play following 2017.
Current Goalkeeper Pool
Nick Rimando: 28 Games Played, 73 Saves, 33 Goals Against, 1.18 GA Average, 66.4% Save Percentage.
Matt Van Oekel: 7 Games Played, 25 Saves, 22 Goals Against, 3.67 GA Average, 53.2% Save Percentage.
Connor Sparrow: (USL Stats) 20 Games Played, 67 Saves, 18 Goals Against, 0.9 GA Average, 78.8% Save Percentage.
Andrew Putna (Real Monarchs): (USL Stats) 4 Games Played, 10 Saves, 2 Goals Against, 0.50 GA Average, 83.3% Save Percentage.
2017 Recap
Nick Rimando quieted plenty of doubters from 2016. While his stats are only slightly better from last year, Rimando was back to his “Wall of the Wasatch” form that fans know and love. Rimando single-handily kept RSL in many games during their turnaround and reinstilled confidence that Rimando was one of the top goalkeepers in MLS. A very strong argument could be made that based on form alone, Rimando should have been the goalkeeper starting for the USMNT in World Cup Qualifying.
Matt Van Oekel was called on a few times while Rimando was on national team duty or injured, but didn’t prove he was a real standout, but it was also before the Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva partnership was introduced.
Connor Sparrow played his way into a first team contract with his play on the Monarchs. Sparrow showed plenty of promise while facing competition from Andrew Putna and Lalo Fernandez.
Nick coming up big with the saves!! pic.twitter.com/heYoGbex2w
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 22, 2017
2018 Outlook
Arguably the biggest decision RSL will have to make this offseason is the goalkeeper position. Rimando is now a free agent, 38 years old, and according to the MLS Player’s Union, he is the second highest paid goalkeeper in the league behind Tim Howard. The Los Angeles native could also be tempted with a move to new MLS side, Los Angeles FC.
At the end of the day, Rimando is a veteran and one of the leaders on the team, along with being arguably the greatest goalkeeper in MLS history. It isn’t too uncommon for RSL to overpay for older players who have a history with the team, but a strong case could be made that Rimando still isn’t “past it”.
Behind Rimando doesn’t seem to be a clear replacement. Both Van Oekel and Sparrow seem to be serviceable fill-ins if needed, and both are on friendly contracts, but neither has set themselves up as the heir-apparent.
If Rimando is willing to come back to RSL, it would be good to have him as the veteran piece among a young, but very talented squad. With the USMNT missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Rimando’s international days are likely finished, meaning he will miss fewer games now. At least one more season of the “Wall of the Wasatch” would be very beneficial to both parties before Rimando has to be replaced and hopefully offered a position in the new RSL Academy. Van Oekel can still be a solid fill-in if needed on a cap friendly contract, while Sparrow would be allowed a full season with the Monarchs to develop further.
Next: Offseason changes for New England?
Hopeful Prediction
Rimando re-signs with RSL. Best case scenario on a reduced deal with an incentive for him to be a coach after the fact with the academy. Everything else stays the same, while Sparrow tries to prove he deserves to be the next RSL goalkeeper, or a new replacement comes in after Rimando retires.
Check out our analysis for other position groups here: