Let’s see if Bill Hamid can avoid exploding a guy outside the box to earn a red card before most fans have even taken their seat this time, eh?
The 20-year-old D.C. United goalkeeper is back in the national team picture for the second time in mere weeks, one of 24 players called into camp for a pair of friendlies, against Costa Rica on Sept. 2 at Home Depot Center outside Los Angeles and then at Belgium in Brussels four days later.
After his debut invitation, a chance to act as Tim Howard’s backup for the national team’s 1-1 draw with Mexico on Aug. 10, Hamid was a bit overzealous, earning a seventh-minute red card to set in motion a wild 3-3 draw with Toronto FC on Aug. 6.
This time around, he’s coming off a right hamstring strain suffered at the end of the first half in last week’s 1-1 tie at Chicago. Hamid was kept out of D.C. United lineup at Kansas City on Sunday. On Wednesday, he started United’s training session just jogging on his own, but by the end he was working on saves, and it appears his progress could put him in line both to be back in the net for D.C. United on Saturday against Portland (kickoff 2 p.m., not 7:30, thanks to Hurricane Irene) – if not, there’s always Joe Willis – and certainly capable of whatever role U.S. head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has in mind for him against Costa Rica and Belgium.
The rest of the U.S. roster can be found at the bottom of this post.
Meanwhile, fellow D.C. United players Dwayne De Rosario, Dejan Jakovic and Andy Najar have also been called into their respective national teams next week.
Najar will make his long-awaited debut for Honduras, which will face Colombia at Red Bull Arena on September 3 before hosting Paraguay at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula on September 6.
The call-up comes at a good time for Najar, who could benefit from a spark in what has been an up-and-down season.
“The whole thing’s been a little bit dramatic for me, but I’m glad he’s finally got a call-up,” United head coach Ben Olsen said. “He’s more than deserving of it, and I hope he does great with that team. I know he’ll do a good job on the international scene. I’ve asked a lot of Andy here. I’m still looking for him to be more consistent with us, as I am with a lot of guys right now.”
De Rosario and Jakovic will join Canada as it opens its campaign to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a game against St. Lucia at BMO Field in Toronto on September 2 and at Puerto Rico in Bayamón on September 6.
The full U.S. roster: GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael
Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
