Three Questions: Atlanta United at DC United

To get everyone ready for Sunday’s matchup against D.C. United, we spoke with Black and Red United’s Ben Bromley to get his take on Wayne Rooney, their recent good form, and Bill Hamid.

DSS: Since joining D.C., do you think Wayne Rooney has been worse or better than expected?

BRU: Wayne Rooney has completely transformed the team. His professionalism, his passing, and his soccer smarts have allowed other players to stop trying to be The Man and just play their games. In doing so, players like Luciano Acosta and Paul Arriola have gotten even better than they have been so far. We only have snippets of it off the field, but we have already heard stories about the influence he has had in practice, not only with his MLS teammates but with the academy team as well. When all is said and done, his effect may be found more five years from now than today.

Surprisingly, the only problem so far has been his finishing. The If he had gotten on track, he’d probably have four more goals at least.

DSS: D.C. has won four of their last six matches. What have been the catalysts for their improved run of form?

BRU: Wayne Rooney and Bill Hamid. Like I said above, Rooney has made everyone else in the attack better, especially Luciano Acosta. United’s #10 has been exciting throughout his time in MLS, but Rooney taking some of the burden off of him has taken him to another level.

DSS: How has Bill Hamid done since re-joining the team after half a season in Denmark?

BRU: D.C. United didn’t need a goalkeeper when they re-signed Hamid on loan. David Ousted and Steve Clark had been fine, if not great, and the team had other needs. Hamid wanted to come back though, general manager Dave Kasper made it happen, and he’s already reminding D.C. United fans and league officials why he won the 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year award and earned all those caps for the USMNT. Despite his situation in Denmark, I think that the USMNT is the reason he’s come back. We’re at the beginning of a new World Cup cycle and there is no designated starter for next week’s international games, let alone if they make the World Cup. He is head and shoulders above anyone else D.C. United had, and I’m always glad to see him in DCU black.