On the final day of Major League Soccer’s summer transfer window, D.C. United added a familiar face and an experienced left back as they look to fortify their defensive effort in preparation for a playoff push in the second half of the season.
Beloved goalkeeper Bill Hamid reunites with the Black-and-Red on loan after a stint with Danish top-tier side FC Midtjylland, while Vytautas Andriuškevičius, most commonly known as Vytas, joins United following a trade from the Portland Timbers.
Hamid’s reunion with D.C. United ushers the goalkeeper into a new era with the Black-and-Red, as he will be welcomed to Audi Field, a dream that remained close to Hamid’s heart during his Academy days and as Hamid took over the starting keeper role for his hometown club.
When Hamid’s departure to FC Midtjylland was announced, United’s new home was merely a construction zone with no resemblance of a soccer stadium. Now, the 28-year-old is back just as the club enters this new era of promise, and Hamid will look to make more memories in front of the D.C. United faithful at the team’s new fortress.
A fan-favorite in the District, the Homegrown goalkeeper debuted with United at 19 years old in 2010. In Hamid’s eight-year MLS career, he climbed to 15th on the league’s all-time wins list with 66 career victories. The Annandale, Virginia, native returns to the nation’s capital as the club’s all-time leader in saves and shutouts.
With the Black-and-Red’s attack coming into top form, the focus turned to solidifying the back line, and Hamid’s return appears to be a promising move that will add depth and proven experience to the Black-and-Red’s defense.
With Hamid’s proven ability to blank opponents (49 career shutouts), United will look to start racking up the clean sheets after blanking their opponents just once as of August (1-0 win over Columbus Crew SC on April 14). United have repeatedly proven they are capable of outscoring their opponents, now focus shifts to eliminating opponents’ scoring chances all together as the team locks down to make a run at the playoff line.
Hamid’s strong track record in MLS also helped him climb the ranks of goalkeepers considered for international play with the United States Men’s National Team. With the USMNT, Hamid has made six appearances (three starts) and was a member of the 2013 and 2017 Gold Cup-winning teams. As Hamid fights to regain a starting spot with the Black-and-Red, he will also strive to prove his status as one of the nation’s top goalkeepers in the hopes of picking up more experience with the Yanks.
In front of the goalkeeper will be newly-acquired left back Vytas, another promising player brought to the District to shore up the back line. The Lithuanian joins an improving defensive core looking to reach their full potential just in time for a late playoff run at home. Vytas’ addition also provides Ben Olsen with another experienced MLS player in the back, which is especially important given the injuries that have kept veteran defenders Nick DeLeon and Taylor Kemp out of the lineup.
Vytas made 37 regular season appearances for Portland between 2016 and 2018, scoring one goal and adding four assists in the process. While injuries of his own challenged Vytas’ ability to earn a consistent starting role, the defender comes to the District healthy and ready to make an immediate impact for United. The 27-year-old adds a boost of energy and flare to the game, using his work rate to constantly disrupt opponents and moving freely up the flank to join the attack and send crosses into the box.
Vytas has also accumulated valuable experience on the Lithuanian national team, appearing in 29 matches for his country. Since his debut in August 2011, Vytas has appeared in international friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and UEFA Euro qualifiers for Lithuania. Like Hamid, Vytas will hope additional play time in the District can also result in additional international appearances in the future.
With the bolstering additions of Hamid and Vytas, the Black-and-Red become more equipped to put together complete performances on both sides of the ball. And as United set their sights on a second half surge, each new player could prove a difference maker in D.C.’s late playoff push.
