'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Bruin, who now has four goals this season, has scored nine times in nine career appearances against United. He notched the first multi-goal game of his career with a hat trick in a 4-1 win over United in Houston on April 29, 2011.
Ben Speas scored 13 minutes into the second half to lead the Columbus Crew to a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday
After starting 21 games as a rookie in 2011, the University of Maryland product didn't see a second of playing time all season. That could change as soon as Saturday, when United host the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium.
Bill Hamid made eight saves for D.C. United (1-1-1), including a diving save on Brandon Barklage's shot off a corner kick in stoppage time, which came close to crossing the goal line.
Kitchen has carved a reputation as a valuable ally to D.C. United's defensive corps. He wins tackles in midfield, snuffing attacks in their infancy. He keeps the ball moving, preventing sustained pressure. Essentially, he gets them out of jams.
In a rematch of the 2012 MLS Eastern Conference championship, the Dynamo took a 1-0 lead on an own goal by United's James Riley in the 80th minute.
One by one, the players dropped to the turf, physically and emotionally spent. For D.C. United this season, there will be no getting up.
Bill Hamid didn't have much interest in talking. Shouting, however, was a different matter. When it came to his club, and the intangibles that have fueled its logic-defying run to the MLS final four, the D.C. United goalkeeper's passion spoke volumes — figuratively and literally.
A raucous RFK Stadium crowd may have witnessed the theatrics of postseason soccer for the first time in five years Saturday, but neither D.C. United nor the New York Red Bulls seemed well cast as playoff contenders. When all was said and done, United and the Red Bulls found themselves deadlocked 1-1 after the first leg of their two-game, total-goals Eastern Conference semifinal.
Lionard Pajoy scored in the 50th minute, and Bill Hamid made eight saves to help D.C. United rally for a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire on Saturday. The draw gave D.C. second place in the Eastern Conference.
Considering the blend of player embraces and fan exultation that engulfed RFK Stadium last weekend, one might get the sense D.C. United's playoff-clinching win over the Columbus Crew marked a mission accomplished, as far as the regular season goes.
Progress, Bill Hamid observes, is relative. And at 21 years old, the D.C. United goalkeeper is neither satisfied nor disconcerted by his evolution as a player.
Branko Boskovic's first goal of the season lifted D.C. United to a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA on Sunday night.
As Dwayne De Rosario hobbled onto the RFK Stadium pitch, attired in street clothes during a pregame ceremony honoring his 100th MLS goal, reality sunk in. If D.C. United are going to emerge from the stretch run with a playoff bid, they’ll have to do it without their captain and catalyst.
Dwayne De Rosario had his moment, and it was sweet. But then the script was spoiled by a most unlikely source.
As goalkeeper Bill Hamid said, "He had a lot to deal with, especially being a youngster jumping into the league at a very vital position. But he did it extremely well."
Ethan White hopes for return to United squad after long absence →
"We're expecting a lot," goalkeeper Bill Hamid said. "He's a general in the midfield. He's very crafty, very creative. ... Give him time to nurture, give him time to grow, and he for sure one day will be one of the best D-mids in the league."
Perry Kitchen grows into defensive midfield role for United →
