Those with a good memory might recall that the Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando has allowed the ball into his goal at Providence Park.
Robert Lewandowski did it for German giant Bayern Munich in the first half of the 2014 MLS All-Star Game.
But the team that calls Providence Park home has not scored against Rimando in front of the Portland fans since Darlington Nagbe did it twice in a 2012 match that the Timbers lost. The last four times Rimando has been in goal for Real Salt Lake in Portland, the Timbers have not scored.
“Looking forward to (Saturday) finally scoring on Rimando,” Timbers coach Caleb Porter said with a laugh on Friday. “It’s the law of averages. Eventually we’re hoping he finally gives up a goal here.”
The last three regular-season matches in Portland between the Timbers and RSL have ended in scoreless draws.
“It’s actually kind of stunning given the quality of both sides,” said Timbers defender Nat Borchers, who has been on the field for both teams during that string of scoring silence.
“It’s kind of strange because we’re both attacking teams,” Porter said. “We create a lot of chances. So do they.”
But in Rimando’s 6-yard box, chances tend to disappear. He has made 19 saves in his four consecutive road shutouts in Portland, including six in last season’s opener and seven in the final match of 2014. A number of them have been highlight-worthy.
“It’s nothing against them or a switch that turns on,” Rimando told Christopher Kamrani of the Salt Lake Tribune this week. “It just always seems to happen.”
Timbers striker Fanendo Adi called Rimando a great goalkeeper who commands his area by reading the play well and aggressively coming out to get crosses.
From Porter’s perspective, Rimando’s success in Portland — including a couple of spectacular stops to help Porter and the MLS All-Stars beat Bayern Munich in 2014 — is no fluke.
“He’s been unbelievable here,” Porter said. “I think good goalkeepers, good players, they get up big games with the crowds. I don’t see many really good players coming in here and playing poorly. They’re on guard, they get up for it.”
