D.C. Unitedannounced today that Bill Hamid has been called-up to the U-23 U.S. Men’sNational Team upcoming training camp. The young goalkeeper will join the U.S.Soccer Federation in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. from December 15-23.
Hamidrecently completed a training stint in England with West Bromwich Albion.Following his time with the Barclays Premier League club, the United goalkeeperwas called-up to the senior U.S. Men’s National Team for a pair of friendlymatches against the French and Slovenian National Teams. Hamid was on JurgenKlinsmann’s bench for the 1-0 loss against France on November 11 and a 3-2victory over Slovenia on November 15.
Hamid has been called-up to the senior U.S. Men’sNational Team four times in 2011, becoming the first-choice back-up goalkeeperto Tim Howard. The United netminder earned his first call-up for the UnitedStates’ 1-1 draw with Mexico on August 10 and was again on the bench for a pairof 1-0 losses to Costa Rica on September 2 and Belgium on September 6. Hamidearned his third call-up for two friendly matches against Honduras and Ecuadoron October 8 and 11, respectively. The D.C. United Academy product was on the18-man roster during the 1-0 victory against Honduras, but did not see thefield.
In his second full seasonwith D.C. United, Hamid became the first-choice goalkeeper since he recoveredfrom an offseason shoulder surgery. He played 28 matches (28 starts) during the2011 MLS campaign, putting together a record of 7-9-10 along with sevenshutouts.
In 2010, Hamid became theyoungest goalkeeper in MLS history to win a League contest on May 5 againstKansas City in a 2-1 victory at RFK Stadium, beating the previous record heldby fellow U.S. Men’s National Team player Tim Howard. Hamid made United historyon September 2, 2009, when he became the first D.C. United Academy player tosign with the first team. As the first player to come up through the club’syouth system, Hamid was only available for non-League games during the 2009season and did not see any playing time.
KITCHEN TO REMAIN HOME
2011 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist Perry Kitchen, who recently completed U.S. U-23 duty with Caleb Porter's side in Germany from November 7-16, has been left out of the squad this time due to a slight case of turf toe. This move is only precautionary, and Kitchen is expected to be fit and ready to go for United training camp in mid-January. Porter coached Kitchen at the University of Akron in the defensive midfielder's first and only college season, as the Zips claimed the 2010 College Cup.
