

Bill Hamid (USA Today Sports)

D.C. United’s Bill Hamid, whose decision-making and maturation caught up with his shot-blocking skills this season, was named MLS goalkeeper of the year Wednesday.

At 24, Hamid is the third-youngest recipient, behind U.S. national team veterans Tim Howard (22 in 2001) and Brad Guzan (23 in 2007). The only other United goalkeeper to win was Troy Perkins in 2006.

With a weighted score of 97.8, the Annandale, Va., native edged Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando (88.8). Columbus’ Steve Clark was third and Los Angeles’ Jaime Penedo fourth. Club representatives, players and reporters participated in the voting.

In his fifth season since jumping from United’s youth academy, Hamid set career highs in shutouts (10), saves (110), starts (30) and victories (14). His save percentage (75.3) was first in MLS, the shutout total was second and goals against average (1.13) third.

The honor comes a day after he was voted to the Best XI all-league squad for the first time.

“To see Bill’s growth as a homegrown player coming out of our youth academy and now rising to being named the best goalkeeper in MLS is simply incredible,” General Manager Dave Kasper said.

Beyond the statistics, Hamid made numerous spectacular saves, allowed few soft goals and helped anchor a defensive unit that conceded 37 goals in 34 matches, tied with the Los Angeles Galaxy for fewest in MLS. Prone to defiant and youthful missteps in the past, he grew up this year and, from all accounts, conducted himself with greater professionalism.

Buoyed by Hamid’s rise, United turned a three-win season in 2013 into 17 victories and first place in the Eastern Conference.

In a prepared statement, Hamid thanked the team, “a group that scraps and competes every day in training, week in and week out, to make sure everyone is at the top of their game. It all ultimately led to our success this season. Thanks for keeping faith in me.”

Hamid parlayed his outstanding season into regular U.S. national team assignments and a starting role against Ireland last month, his second start for Coach Jurgen Klinsmann. With a new World Cup cycle underway, he is in prime position to compete with Guzan, the starter at England’s Aston Villa, and Rimando for playing time.

In the other individual award announced Wednesday, Vancouver’s Pedro Morales (10 goals, 12 assists) is the newcomer of the year. New England’s Jermaine Jones, who signed in late Auguest, was second in the voting, followed by L.A.’s Stefan Ishizaki and Dallas’ Andres Escobar.