D.C. United today announced that forward Eddie Johnson and goalkeeper Bill Hamid have been named to the upcoming U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) camp roster. Both players will report to Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 6 for training before the team departs for Sao Paulo, Brazil to train Jan 13-25. The USMNT camp will conclude on Feb. 1 when the U.S. takes on Korea Republic in Carson, Calif., at 5 p.m. EST.
Hamid was most recently a member of the 2013 U.S. Men’s National Team that won gold at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The homegrown product also appeared on the 18-man roster against Canada on Jan. 29 and against Germany on June 2, a game played at Hamid’s home grounds of RFK Stadium. Hamid earned his first cap with the senior U.S. Men’s National Team two years ago when he registered a clean sheet in the side’s 1-0 win over Venezuela on Jan. 21, 2012 in Glendale, Ariz. The young netminder was called up several times in 2011, serving as Tim Howard’s backup, and was also a member of the U-23 Men’s National Team in its quest to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
In his fourth season with D.C. United, Hamid started 25 games and recorded four shutouts with a 1.56 GAA, including a shutout against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 1 helping lead the Black-and-Red to the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. On Sept. 2, 2009, Hamid became the first D.C. United Academy player to sign directly with the First Team. The goalkeeper made history on May 5, 2010 when he became the youngest goalkeeper to win an MLS contest at 19 years and 161 days old, besting the previous record held by Tim Howard.
Johnson appeared in 17 matches for the USMNT during the 2013 season and found the back of the net five times through both of the USMNT’s triumphant journeys through World Cup Qualifying, seeing Johnson tally against Panama and Mexico, and the Gold Cup, where Johnson tallied in both the quarter final and semi final rounds. He also scored in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In total, Johnson has made 61 appearances for the senior squad since 2004, netting 19 goals.
The Fla., native was acquired by the Black-and-Red on Dec. 17, 2013, via trade with the Seattle Sounders. In two seasons with Seattle, Johnson featured in 28 games (24 starts) and found the back of the net 14 times while recording three assists. In 2013, he made 21 appearances (20 starts) and netted nine goals. The proven goal-scorer began his career with MLS in 2001 after signing a Nike-Project 40 contract and was selected 19th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by the Dallas Burn. After being traded to the then-Kansas City Wizards in 2006, Johnson transferred to Fulham F.C. for the 2007-2008 season before also playing for Cardiff City and Aris FC before making his way back to MLS in 2012.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (10): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Chance Myers (Sporting Kansas City), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
