It has been a roller coaster 2012 for young D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
He started it by earning his first U.S. national team cap, and was subsequently named by no less than Jurgen Klinsmann as the No. 2 goalkeeper in the U.S. national team pool. He was starting on the U.S. Under-23 national team, with the Olympics looming in the summer. All while starting for his hometown D.C. United.
Then things went bad in a hurry. He struggled during the U-23 team's failed Olympic qualifying bid, then suffered an injury that led to him being benched by D.C. United in favor of an in-form Joe Willis. Just like that, Hamid went from hot prospect back-up goalkeeper.
Here is my FOX Soccer feature on Hamid, who opened up about the adversity he has faced, and battling through it. He has had to grow up in a hurry, and he has become a more grounded and mature player since enduring those tough months earlier this year.
Give the story a read and feel free to share your own thoughts on Hamid's year. Think he's a future U.S. national team starter? Still not sold on him being the best of a strong generation of young American goalkeepers?
Share your thoughts below.