It has been a long four months since D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid went under the knife to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. United have had an uneven start to the season, picking up just 10 points through their first 10 games, as Travis Worra has filled in as keeper with the additional loss of Andrew Dykstra to back surgery.
But with just four games remaining until the two week break for the Copa Centenario, United got welcome news this week, as Bill Hamid returned to full training for the first time since the end of last season. After spending the past month doing light work after practice and before games, Hamid has been given the all clear to resume full practice.
"Bill trained full time the past two days. He's looked sharp," United manager Ben Olsen told reporters on Wednesday.
Olsen was coy about the possibility of Hamid playing this Friday against the New York Red Bulls. "He could be considered. But we want to see him over the next couple of days," said Olsen. "These were his first two training sessions, so we will see how he responds."
It is more likely that Hamid will make his season debut in one of the final three games of before the Copa break, which include trips to the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City, before a June 1st date at home with the Seattle Sounders.
In addition, Olsen labeled Fabian Espindola as being 100%, meaning that the striker will be back in action this weekend after missing the games against the Chicago Fire and New York City FC after hurting his hamstring against the New England Revolution. And Patrick Nyarko, who was forced out of the game against NYCFC early, has been training this week as well.
With the return of Charlie Horton last week after he suffered a concussion in training in the beginning of April, United are close to having a full complement of healthy players. The lone issue, other than Dykstra still being sidelined due to his back injury, is that Chris Rolfe continues to be out, having suffered a concussion against Chicago two weeks ago.
"Rolfe is still dealing with some stuff, so we will keep evaluating him day to day," Olsen said. Rolfe, who didn't practice last week, was not present at Wednesday's training session.
Alhaji Kamara, who was formally announced as United's latest signing earlier in the day, was a full participant in practice, but having been sidelined the past couple of months due to heart issues which prevented him from playing in any competitions in UEFA, it will still be some time before he makes his Black-and-Red debut.
"I'm looking forward to building his fitness here over the next couple of weeks. How quick does that go, I don't know," said Olsen. "But we have a plan in place to push his fitness, and we'll play it by ear."
What Olsen was adamant about though was the health of his new 22 year old striker. Heart issues might have been the reason why Kamara was prevented from playing for IFK Norrkoping, but United have put Kamara through their own tests, and have deemed him healthy to play.
"He's been cleared by two renowned cardiologists in this country. That's all I have to say about that issue. He's healthy, we just have to get him fit now."