LOS ANGELES — For Bill Hamid, the 2019 MLS season and a chance to prove his worth to new US national team coach Gregg Berhalter can't come soon enough.
The D.C. United goalkeeper spoke of his excitement and focus on the upcoming regular season, telling reporters during MLS Media Day on Saturday repeatedly that he was primarily thinking of March 3, when his club will face reigning MLS Cup champion Atlanta United (6 pm ET | ESPN).
But he admitted part of the reason he wants to get back in the field is to make his case for an international call-up. The 28-year-old didn’t mince words in explaining his thoughts when he looks at the group of four 'keepers currently in Berhalter's January camp: Alex Bono, Sean Johnson, Tyler Miller and Zack Steffen.
“I believe in my ability," Hamid said. "I saw the group that they called in — I’m just going to be real with you, I feel like I’m better than all four of them.”
He explained that he has been in touch with Berhalter since the manager took over, and is aware of what is expected of a US national team goalkeeper in this new regime.
“I spoke to Gregg and I got an understanding of why he chose those four, for this camp, and I understand it," Hamid said. "My job is to step on the field on March [3], and ball out.”
Hamid insisted the USMNT was a major honor for him and continues to be an objective, building on his six senior caps.
“I want to be on the national team," he said. "It means everything to me. January 2012, when I had that first cap against Venezuela and got that shutout, it meant everything to me. And I’ve had some great coaches that believed — Jurgen [Klinsmann], at one point, believed in me, Bruce [Arena] and Dave Sarachan believed in me.”
Hamid waved his hand to signal a career full of ups and downs on the national team level.
“I’m 28 now, I’ve been playing in MLS since I was 18 years old,” he continued. “It’s been a great 10 years of my life, it’s been a lot of growth as a goalkeeper and I’m starting to feel like it’s all coming together. So now, once the games start, I just have to keep riding the wave and I know I’m going to show this country, show the world that I’m the best goalkeeper in the United States of America.”
