Toxic Talk: The World Against Bill Hamid Edition

In a week where everyone in American sports seemed to be figuring out what the hell to do with players kneeling during the national anthem, D.C. United managed to pull off the most disgraceful move from a professional sports organization over the last seven days. You probably missed it if you don’t watch D.C. United, which would be understandable, considering D.C. United plays soccer like they’re trying to take their own half of the field hostage even when they’re good. With scouts in attendance to watch Bill Hamid play, D.C. United benched their star goalkeeper.

D.C. United has nothing left to play for this season, and Bill Hamid’s contract with them ends this winter, after contract talks didn’t end in any sort of extension. As such, several European teams, including Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt (according to Ives Galarcep), have kept tabs on Hamid. So, under the excuse of wanting to see more of the club’s depth options with nothing to play for, D.C. United started Steve Clark in place of Bill Hamid with Frankfurt’s sporting director in attendance. Yeah. The guy who dribbled the ball into the feet of Diego Valeri and saw it bounce into his own net within the first minute of play in MLS Cup 2015. Maybe that’s not fair to Steve Clark, who has a solid MLS career, but he’s 31. That’s what he’ll always be remembered for. If you really want to see your depth options, why not start rookie Eric Klenofsky? Steve Clark is a known quantity.

Because this wasn’t a move to examine D.C.’s depth. Their lineup was still overwhelmingly first-choice players. It was a petty move to try to tarnish Bill Hamid’s chances at signing with another team.

Normally in these toxic talks I go full blow-hard, and the main goal is laughs. But I’m pretty serious when I say this is a stupid, amateur, disgusting move by a club that Bill Hamid has given his heart, soul, and knees for. Season after season he has given D.C. United some semblance of competitiveness, almost single-handedly more often than not. He returned from injury this year and shook off inconsistent performances early in the season to return to blistering form.

Bill Hamid has been D.C. United’s best player for seven seasons. He is a native son, his hometown of Annandale less than a half-hour’s drive from the doomed RFK Stadium, the stadium he has played his entire professional career in. D.C. still had four more regular season games to look at goalkeepers. You’re telling me you can’t at least start a franchise legend (and make no mistake, I fully believe Hamid is one of the best players to ever wear the black and red) when a Bundesliga sporting director comes to the States to watch him play?

Bill Hamid has been through hell and back for D.C. Regardless of how you feel about his European prospects, he deserves better.

Boiling Points

• The Gyasi Zardes Right Back Experience™ - Hahahahahahaha.

The 2017 version of the LA Galaxy is the best argument for Pro/Rel in the U.S. to date.

• Julian Weigl opens his Bundesliga account -

This is Weigl’s third season as a first XI player for Dortmund and he just scored his first Bundesliga goal. If a guy takes three seasons to score dunks on you like this, you retire immediately. That’s your only option.

• FIFA still clearly doesn’t give a rip about the women’s game - Carli Lloyd was nominated for the Women’s Player of the Year Award for her play from 2015 for the third straight time. Truly impressive from Lloyd.
• Just...all of this from Man U fans - I hate everyone.
• Ilkay Gundogan’s existence -

Honestly, just take my ligaments instead. Arrest Tony Pulis. Anything to let Gundogan be healthy for more than 5 minutes.