Bill Hamid announces decision to leave D.C. United, has sights set on USMNT starting job

D.C. United and United States men’s national team goalkeeper Bill Hamid has revealed his decision to leave the only club he’s ever known at the end of the current MLS Season. The 27-year-old, whose MLS contract will expire at the end of the season, told the Washington Post’s Steven Goff of his choice and had some great quotes about why that you should read in full here.

The gist of his decision from my interpretation is that that he’s just ready for the next level and ready to make a name for himself in Europe and on the international stage. With the U.S. men’s program in such a state of flux, especially at the goalkeeper spot, this is his big chance to finally grasp the starting job like many thought he would years ago. With Tim Howard most likely out of the picture and Brad Guzan struggling with consistency, the job is presumably completely up for grabs. Hamid isn’t exactly young, but in goalkeeper years, 27 is just the beginning of his prime years.

Hamid tells Goff that the move should be revealed sometime very soon and Goff’s sources say that Danish club FC Midtjylland is the front-runner to sign the American on free transfer. He also says that competing for the No. 1 goalkeeper spot on the national team was definitely a reason for his decision.

“It’s a very interesting time for me and the journey I’ve had here, from the academy to signing with the club” at age 18, he said. “I want to see myself continue to grow and continue to get better and be the number one for the national team.”

This is a big step for Hamid in his career. Will the move to Europe finally catapult him into the realm of USA No. 1? Only time and performance will dictate that, but as of now, he has all the opportunity in the world for it to happen.