Atlanta United declined to comment on a report by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl on Wednesday that the MLS expansion team is interested in signing goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The club has steadfastly declined to comment on all personnel reports, starting when Wayne Rooney was inexplicably reportedly coming to Atlanta more than a year ago.
The Rimando interest would make sense, but would also raise questions.
Rimando, 37, is considered one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history with more than 420 appearances in Miami, D.C. and Real Salt Lake, where he has played since 2007. Atlanta United President Darren Eales recently said that they are trying to strike a balance of experience and youth within the roster. Rimando would bring experience. He has more than 20 appearances with the U.S. men’s national team. He would theoretically bring leadership and potential cohesiveness to a defense that will likely take time to gel.
He could also be a mentor for Alex Tambakis, a 23-year-old goalkeeper who was the first player signed by Atlanta United. He spent the recent season on loan at Charleston in the USL.
However, Rimando has a guaranteed salary of $420,000, making him among the highest paid goalkeepers in MLS. With at least 19 more roster slots left to fill, Rimando’s salary would take a large chunk of the $3.66 million salary cap. His salary could be renegotiated or reduced by using Targeted Allocation Money. There will likely be cheaper (though perhaps not as skilled) goalkeepers available in the expansion draft, re-entry draft, waiver wire or as free agents.
Whether the interest is legitimate, at some point Atlanta United will need to sign defenders. It has yet to announce signing any pure defenders. Chris McCann can play fullback, but is typically used in the midfield.
It’s possible that Rimando’s agent is using Atlanta United as leverage to secure a new deal with either Real Salt Lake or another club. Eales has warned the club’s supporters that there will be players around the world tied to the club because of the mostly empty roster.
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