Ben Olsen addresses Bill Hamid report, other possible deadline additions

WASHINGTON — Speaking after training on Tuesday, D.C. United coach Ben Olsen suggested there are legs to the Washington Post’s report that the club are trying to bring goalkeeper Bill Hamid back to the nation’s capital.

“I don’t want to add too much on that. I don’t think that report is completely crazy,” Olsen said. “But again, like I said before, all this stuff is so day-to-day. It can vanish and it can appear in the 48 hours that we have right now. There’s a lot that could go down, and there’s very little that could go down as well.”

Hamid, D.C.’s first-ever Homegrown Player signing, has only made three first-team appearances since he moved to Danish side FC Midtjylland on a free transfer, struggling to take playing time away from incumbent Jesper Hansen. Hansen helped Midtjylland win the SuperLiga title last season and retained the starting role through four games this season.

He would return to a Black-and-Red side that could use defensive help, having allowed 36 goals in 18 MLS matches while preserving only one shutout.

United have improved some lately, conceding only once in each of their last three games.

Olsen said moves before the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closes at 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday are likely be defensively focused. Hamid falls into that category, as would some help at outside back, where injuries have made Oniel Fisher and Joseph Mora de facto starters.

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Last season, United were among the most active teams in the summer window, bringing in midfielders Paul Arriola, Zoltan Stieber, Russell Canouse and Bruno Miranda. When this year’s window opened, they officially added English superstar Wayne Rooney.

“We’re working. It will be a long day today and tomorrow to get this group better,” Olsen said. “You never know. Unfortunately, everybody waits until the last minute to do all this stuff. That’s kind of how it goes, not only here but globally.”

Olsen’s roster allows for some tinkering even if there are no additions. Kofi Opare has performed reliably after earning starts in D.C.’s last two matches, and could be partnered with Steve Birnbaum and Frederic Brillant in a three-center-back system. With a fully healthy midfield, Arriola could be shuffled to wingback, where he played at times with Club Tijuana in Liga MX.

“I’m not sure either of those options necessarily check a box of now we’re going to give up less goals,” Olsen said. “There’s no magic solution, magic formation. … We continue to score goals, we continue to put ourselves in positions to win games, and I think we’re moving in the right direction as far as giving up less goals and being a better defensive team.”