For the Black-and-Red, defense is critical. With standout center backs Steven Birnbaum and Frédéric Brillant, MLS veteran goalkeepers Bill Hamid and David Ousted, and United’s 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Kofi Opare at the heart of the back line, the Black-and-Red are well-versed in defending. Leidos—the presenting partner of D.C. United—provides systems, solutions, and services covering air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for Defense and Intelligence customers worldwide. Sponsored by Leidos, this weekly feature delves into some of the defensive storylines for United.
It has been a hot August in Washington as the last weeks of summer give way to the coming fall. The heat won’t subside when Atlanta United come to Audi Field for the first time Sunday night for match with huge playoff implications on the line.
A win against Atlanta would give United three crucial points in their chase for a playoff spot, while a win for Atlanta would punch their ticket to the postseason and give them the edge in the Supporters Shield race.
Atlanta’s attack is led by the red-hot Josef Martinez, who leads the MLS Golden Boot race and set a new single-season record with 28 goals in Atlanta's last match. Martinez has scored in a variety of ways since arriving to MLS thanks to his ability on the ball and willingness to be physical and throw his body around to get into the right spots to score.
Martinez's skill in front of goal and physicality are traits that can be difficult to defend against, but for United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, there’s only one way to combat such a player.
“You've got to fight fire with fire,” Hamid said.
Since returning to the Black-and-Red over the summer transfer window, Hamid has taken over the starting goalkeeper position and helped push D.C. to a four-game winning streak at Audi Field. Though that streak ended on Wednesday, Hamid has grown in confidence with every start.
Like Martinez, Hamid plays his position fearlessly and doesn’t hesitate jumping into danger to get to a ball before onrushing attackers.
“Forwards have to be aware of him,” United Head Coach Ben Olsen said after Hamid’s debut in the 4-1 victory over the Portland Timbers. “He's imposing when he comes out with that type of speed and stays big. It was nice to have him in net and it was as if he never left.”
Atlanta have gotten the better of United recently, winning their last two regular-season matches, and Hamid acknowledges that just trying to contain Martinez himself will not be enough.
“It’s going to take a lot of communication. It’s going to take a team effort,” Hamid said. “[Martinez] is on fire right now and scoring a lot of goals. In the past we’ve figured out ways of stopping Martinez, but they have many different pieces to hurt teams with.”
That being said, the league’s leading goal scorer cannot be ignored, and Hamid knows he will need to constantly help his defenders keep track of him.
“Martinez himself will take constant communication throughout the course of the game,” Hamid said.
Though Hamid has just recently returned to the team after a stint in Europe, he has had the advantage of having some familiar faces in front of him. Hamid worked extensively with defenders Steven Birnbaum and Kofi Opare in previous seasons in D.C. before his departure at the end of 2017, and the pair were some of the few familiar faces within the club when Hamid made his return.
“From the first game I played against Portland I don’t think I needed a transition period to get into that rhythm,” Hamid said. “Kofi and Steve and I have years of experience with each other so stepping back into this situation wasn’t very difficult.”
When the back line is working together and staying well organized, it cuts down on the amount of chaotic moments in the penalty area; the exact kinds of moments on which Martinez thrives. And if it comes down to a 1-on-1 battle between the Golden Boot leader and Hamid, the goalkeeper's plan is simple.
“It’s about having the bravery and strength to fight fire with fire,” Hamid said.
