DC United goalkeeper Bill Hamid will be sidelined for months by knee surgery, which means the team needs someone in that position, and fast.
Chris Konopka is at the club’s Florida camp right now, hoping for a reprieve following his December release from Toronto FC.
Konopka had some sensational moments in 2015. Case in point? This unlikely goal line save to maintain the lead against Montreal.
Konopka, who earned $66,000 last season, wrested the starting position from Joe Bendik. Bendik was paid twice Konopka’s salary to watch this 85th minute double save from the sidelines.
Perhaps it was Konopka’s leaping save to hold off United’s Jairo Arrieta (in extra time, no less) that caught coach Ben Olsen’s eye :
Or maybe it was his impressive finish in Bleacher Reports’s Movember standings.
Konopka garnered a couple MLS Save of the Week nominations last season, as well as a few negative headlines after being suspended for a dangerous tackle. But his most talked about play of the season? That came after a 3-1 victory against Montreal, when he shared a fan’s beer.
Amanda has contributed to Washingtonian since 2016. She has written about the right-wing media personality Britt McHenry, chronicled her night with Stormy Daniels, and come clean about owning too much stuff. She lives on H Street. She can be reached at [email protected].
