Memphis 901 FC has signed former D.C. United goalkeeper, Bill Hamid, for the upcoming USL Championship season. The signing marks a historic moment for Memphis and the USL as a whole as Hamid becomes one of the most decorated players to join the second tier of American soccer.
A Legend of U.S Professional Soccer
Hamid was a member of D.C. United for 12 of the past 13 seasons; spending a single season (2019-20) with FC Midtjylland of the Danish Superliga. He played a large part in the team’s success over his tenure, including playing in the final of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. D.C. United won 1-0 to hoist the trophy for the third time in club history. Hamid was named the 2014 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year as he helped D.C. go from from a last place finish in 2013 to to of the Eastern Conference in the 2014 regular season.
Memphis Hope to Build on Last Season’s Success
Memphis 901 FC has stumbled out of the gates to start the year. Losing both of their opening two matches, scoring just two goals and conceding six. Hamid will look to help the team get back on track and continue the success of their 2022 USL Championship campaign. Memphis finished second in Eastern Conference with 68 points and made it to the Eastern Conference semi finals before falling to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0. He will undoubtedly bring a valuable, veteran presence to an already talented side with a passionate support group.
Read More: 2023 NWSL Season Preview
MLS Legends Join Forces
A large part of what motivated Hamid to join Memphis over other clubs was Sporting Director and former United States Men’s National Team Legend, Tim Howard. As long time friends and former teammates, Howard was ecstatic when announcing the marquee signing , saying “The signing of Bill Hamid will potentially be the greatest signing in club history and certainly one of the biggest in USL” Hamid was also thrilled to join the club, saying “In Memphis there is an ambitious club, in a great market, with a solid team and staff”.
Hamid has made it well known that he’s been a long time fan of Howard, even admitting to having an old AOL email address that paid homage to the U.S goalkeeping legend.
Bill Hamid joins Memphis 901 (and sporting director Tim Howard) for the USL Championship season. (Many years ago, Hamid had an AOL address that included a shout-out to his idol.) As part of the deal, there's no transfer fee if a club from MLS or abroad comes forward. https://t.co/uRxqTGIxP2
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 21, 2023
Howard and Hamid were also teammates on the 2017 United States Gold Cup winning team.
Hamid enters the season having not played a professional match since May 28th of 2022 following a hand injury in which he eventually received surgery for on June 30, 2022. The recovery time for the injury was three months, so Hamid is heading into Memphis healthy as can be. Hamid will hope to be a part of the starting lineup as Memphis travels to Oakland to take on Oakland Roots SC at Laney Stadium on Saturday, March 25. If Hamid does not feature, is next opportunity will be when Memphis takes on Miami F.C on April 1.
Keep an eye on Memphis 901 FC as the season progresses as they hope to be competing for the USL Championship title this fall.
