United goalie targets playing for U.S. team
Once the Women’s World Cup in Germany finishes, D.C. United goalie Bill Hamid could find himself on the next U.S. squad to compete for a world title — even if it’s a year away. With the U.S. failing to qualify for the men’s under-20 world championship, the next major championship on the FIFA schedule is the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, an under-23 tournament on the men’s side.
Hamid shows no signs of distraction as D.C. United (5-5-7) goes for its first consecutive league victories in more than two years on Saturday. But he has allowed himself to dream about a larger stage befitting his potential.
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“Right now, I’m obviously focused on being a vital role in D.C. and getting us higher in the standings,” Hamid said. “But when I go home and think about the bigger picture, I’m thinking about the Olympics a lot right now, I’m thinking about the national team, thinking about my future.”
At 20 years old, there’s no rush. Most goalkeepers mature well into their 20s and 30s. Hamid, in his second full MLS season, has a long way to go, even after his fourth shutout of the year last weekend and a slate of spectacular saves during a current four-game unbeaten streak. His 1.57 goals against average is ripe for improving, as is refinement of his game beyond shot-stopping.
“He really hasn’t had a ton of 1-on-1 goalkeeping coaching, he’s just been able to get by on raw ability, which you always need to play in our position,” United assistant coach Pat Onstad said. “Each day he’s realizing a little bit of coaching and hard work in practice, he’s going to improve. The last couple of games, you’re starting to see the real Bill Hamid emerge.”
At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds with massive hands and an even larger presence, Hamid didn’t take long to win D.C.’s starting job last season. Since returning this spring from shoulder surgery, he’s kept it in a vice-like grip. Yet, United is coming off its worst season ever and has struggled with defensive consistency. A field player can have a good individual performance in the midst of a shellacking, but not Hamid.
“Even I at one point was down on myself because the results we were getting,” he said. “You have to think, ‘Wow, this season, we’re nowhere near the end.’ We have time to improve, get better, build chemistry and gel, and you can tell that’s what has been happening.”
The process has forced Hamid to mature quickly, and indulgences — Olympic qualifying won’t get in the way during the MLS season — are quickly forgotten on the practice field.
“Right now, Bill has established himself as a regular No. 1 starter in the league,” Onstad said. “For our club, he’s done that. His next step is to be considered among the better goalkeepers in the league.”
