Hamid, Allsopp Push United to First MLS Win of 2010
Wherever you earn your paycheck, chances are your first day was a bit nervy. But then someone showed you where the coffee was. Maybe you met a nice HR rep while you were filling out your paperwork. And then someone took you out to lunch, and you thought, hey, this isn't going to be so bad.
Of course, your first day probably didn't occur when you were 19 years-old. Nor was it presented to a live television audience. It also likely didn't involve bearing the sole responsibility of making sure that the rest of your office mates -- who hadn't been successful in the year to date -- didn't fall behind yet again. I'm also willing to bet that your offer letter didn't mention that your first shift would happen with 10,038 shareholders, who couldn't be less happy with the organization's current performance, casting a judging eye.
But for 6'3", 225 pound, D.C. United academy product Bill Hamid? That kind of first day was no sweat.
"I was calm. I knew I was prepared for this situation," said Hamid. "I'm a confident guy to be honest. This is such a big boost for me -- I helped my team get the W, which is my job. That's why we're getting paid."
Hamid's debut at RFK Stadium's grassy office was certainly made easier by a pair of valuable welcoming gifts: Danny Allsopp scored twice in the first half to lead United to its first MLS win of the season, as the Black-and-Red finally earned three MLS points with a 2-1 victory over Kansas City. Not only were they the first two goals scored by an Australian in MLS history, but Allsopp's first goal broke a 355-minute scoreless streak at home in league play and gave D.C. United -- amazingly -- its first lead of the entire season.
Understandably, Hamid looked timid initially. But he got more into the game as the first half went along, including a nice sequence between the 17th and 26th minutes in which Hamid made a big save on a Chance Myers shot, got sure hands to a hot cross, and lifted a shot from distance by Roger Espinoza over the bar. All earned plenty of applause from the United faithful, but none more than the save he made on Jack Jewsbury, which was even featured on Sportscenter's Top Ten plays last night.
Despite a clean sheet stained by a stoppage time goal from Wizards striker Kei Kamara, Hamid was upbeat about his first day on the job.
"I came in kinda shaky, but that's always expected. Coach always prepares us well for these situations," Hamid said. "For myself, I think I played well; as a team it was more important, we fought for all 93 minutes."
Head coach Curt Onalfo beamed about Hamid's effort between the sticks.
"He's a gamer, and that's the kind of performance he put in in preseason. I was proud," said Onalfo.
Of course, Allsopp's tallies definitely eased Hamid into a bit more of a comfort zone, the Aussie supplying some much needed finishing for an offense starved for goals.
"We were pleased when the final whistle came. It was a bit of a relief for everyone," said Allsopp, while complementing the play of his strike partner Adam Cristman, who again put in a yeoman's shift up top. On the whole, United's effort was what pushed them to their first league win of the season -- Onalfo rolled the dice with a lineup of hard-working -- if less flashy -- players, and it paid off.
"We had a very good, hard fought, workmanlike effort for 90 minutes," said Onalfo, who was in a jovial mood, joking with reporters at the post-game presser -- a side which he hadn't really been able to show very often in 2010. "It was very encouraging to get the victory."
"Everyone's been giving it everything," added Allsopp. "Hopefully, we turned a corner tonight."