MLS Week 18: Team of the Week

July 11, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid (28) controls the ball against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at Buck Shaw Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Each week MLS Multiplex editor Chase Ruttig will submit his Team of the Week for another set of Major League Soccer matches. Have suggestions for MLS Multiplex’s Team of the Week? Contact us @MLSMultiplex and voice your opinion! 

Chase’s Note: This week’s formation is a 4-3-3 thanks to the exploits of three of Major League Soccer’s best attackers this week forcing the inclusion of a three man attack and just one central midfielder rather than a classic 4-2-2 Team of the Week. I am sure all of you won’t mind.

Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid, DC United 

Bill Hamid cracks our Week 18 Team of the Week despite not having a clean sheet in Friday’s win over the San Jose Earthquakes, but the promising keeper who has often been pegged as the future of the USMNT did more than his share in ensuring that DC United picked up a huge third points to continue their status as the best club in the Eastern Conference.

In fact Hamid made seven official saves, most of them crucial, in a match where after rolling out to an early 2-0 lead over the Quakes the United goal was under siege for most parts of their 2-1 win. Following Chris Wondolowski’s 39th minute goal it would be all San Jose, especially in the second half where Hamid made saves early and saves late to preserve the victory.

Highlights from Hamid in goal included a point blank save on Wondo early in the second half, but Hamid’s best moments were saved for late in the match as with the Quakes pressing the young Hamid rose to the occasion. Denying a hard hit Sam Cronin volley in the 79th minute, before robbing Alan Gordon on an 89th minute header in what may have been easily the Save of the Week. All big moments from Hamid, who redeemed himself after conceding a mediocre effort that allowed San Jose back into the match before halftime.

Three keepers kept clean sheets in the league this weekend, but Hamid had the most impressive match (or half) in MLS action and few around the league will question that he salvaged the two points for United on Friday evening. Allowing the DC club to take first place by two points in the Eastern Conference, Hamid easily earns Goalkeeper of the Week honors.

Honorable Mentions: Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Jamie Penedo (Los Angeles Galaxy)