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Ben Olsen

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For the American football player, seeBen Olson.

Ben Olsen
Olsen in 2011
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Robert Olsen[1]
Date of birth (1977-05-03)May 3, 1977(age 47)
Place of birth Middletown, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Houston Dynamo(head coach)
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1997 Virginia Cavaliers 69 (34)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2009 D.C. United 221 (29)
2000–2001 →Nottingham Forest(loan) 18 (2)
Total 239 (31)
International career
1998–2007 United States 37 (6)
Managerial career
2010 D.C. United(assistant)
2010–2020 D.C. United
2022– Houston Dynamo
Medal record
RepresentingUnited States
Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2005
Men'sSoccer
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Benjamin Robert Olsen(born May 3, 1977) is an American sports executive,soccercoach, and former professional player who was formerly the president ofWashington Spirit,a professional women's soccer club in theNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL).[2]He is currently the head coach ofHouston Dynamo FCinMajor League Soccer.Olsen is best known for his long-term association withD.C. UnitedofMajor League Soccer(MLS), first as a player then as a coach.

Born inMiddletown,Pennsylvania,Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program nearPhiladelphia.[3]He then played forVirginia Cavaliers men's soccerand was named1997 Soccer America Player of the Year.[4]

Olsen spent the vast majority of his professional career in the United States with D.C. United inMajor League Soccer,which he joined straight out of college. Over the course of 12 seasons with United, Olsen made 221 appearances, scoring 29 goals and making 49 assists. During that time he won twoMLS Cuptitles, twoMLS Supporters' Shieldsand oneU.S. Open Cupwinners medal. His individual honors include two-timeMLS All-Star,1998MLS Rookie of the Year,MLS Cup '99MVP and 2007MLS Best XI.[5]

Olsen also earned 37capswith theUnited States men's national team,winning the2005 CONCACAF Gold Cupand representing the United States at the2006 FIFA World Cup.

Olsen announced his retirement from professional competition on November 24, 2009.[5][6]

Youth and college soccer

[edit]

Olsen grew up inMiddletown, Pennsylvania.[7]He played his youth soccer for premier team FC Delco, where he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame. Olsen attended Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary School andMiddletown Area High School,where he was namedParademagazine's National High School Player of the Year in 1993.

Olsen was motivated to playcollege soccerat theUniversity of Virginiabecause the team had just won fourNCAA Division I Championshipsand was coached byBruce Arena,who had previously coached Olsen when he was 14 to 15 years old. While at UVA theCavalierswon twoFinal Foursand twoACC Men's Soccer Tournamentswith Olsen being honored as the ACC Tournament MVP in 1997. In that same year the Cavaliers advanced to the NCAA final after Olsen scored two goals to lift the Cavaliers 3–1 over theSt. Louis Billikensin the semifinal round.[8]In his three-year career he tallied 34 goals, 41 assists and 109 total points. During his junior year he was named the1997 Soccer America Player of the Year.[9]

Playing career

[edit]

Professional

[edit]

Olsen entered the league as aProject-40player, and was allocated toD.C. Unitedon December 27, 1997, shortly after finishing his junior season at UVA. In 1998 Olsen excelled as a right midfielder with United. During his inaugural season he earned a starting spot and scored 4 goals and made 8 assists. These accomplishments earned him the 1998MLS Rookie of the Year Awardand supported the team as it won the 1998CONCACAF Champions Cupand 1998InterAmerican Cup.

During Olsen's second season with United he scored 5 goals and made 11 assists over 26 games, which contributed to United earning the 1999Supporters' Shieldon the way to winningMLS Cup '99.It was United's thirdMLS Cupvictory in the first four years of the league. Olsen, the game's MVP, was especially happy to win the championship game after losingMLS Cup '98to theChicago Fire.

This is real special to me to get this monkey off my back. It's nice to get the goal. I didn't think that I played that particularly well. Believe me. I'm not the MVP of this game.

— Ben Olsen, Sports Illustrated[10]

Olsen's third season began well, but a collision withChicago FiregoalkeeperZach Thorntoncaused an ankle injury that kept Ben out of much of the second half of the season, limiting him to 13 starts and only 1 goal and 3 assists on the year. After he recovered from the ankle injury in late 2000, Olsen was loaned by United toNottingham Forestof the EnglishFirst Division,where he immediately impressed and soon became a fan favorite.[11]As a transfer became increasingly likely, Olsen severely fractured his ankle during a December game. During his 18-month absence Olsen required four surgeries and continuous rehabilitation. He finally returned in July 2002 and was able to finish the season with 7 starts and 10 games played.

In 2003 Olsen completed a full season with United for the first time in four years. He started 26 games for the team, while scoring 4 goals and making 7 assists. Although his speed was limited due to his injuries and surgeries, Olsen was able to adapt to a new position as a center midfielder. It was here that Olsen spent his time in 2004 as well, starting 25 games for United, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists. He scored 2 goals and 4 assists in 2005.

D.C. United needed Olsen back at wide midfielder for the2007 season,and he responded well. He served as Captain whenJaime Morenowas away on national team duty, scored his first careerhat trickin a 4–2 win overNew York Red Bullson June 10, and enjoyed his best season in MLS.[12]He ended the year with seven goals and seven assists and was named to the MLS Best XI team. Olsen had surgery on both of his ankles inBaltimoreon November 5, 2007.[13][14]

Olsen (center) defending a corner kick during aninternational friendlyagainstReal Madrid C.F.in 2009 atFedExField

Ankle problemsagain sidelined Olsen for the beginning of the 2008 MLS season, and there was speculation that his career was in jeopardy.[15]Despite said problems, Ben Olsen was able to make one MLS appearance against theLos Angeles Galaxyon June 28, 2008. The crowd greeted him with the loudest ovation of the day and a tifo that read "Ben Olsen" and "Heart Of A Lion".[16]After playing just 15 minutes Olsen responded to the media by stating, "It wasn't great; I was like a wounded animal out there." On July 7, 2008, Olsen underwent another ankle surgery.[17]

Olsen was able to continue his career during the2009 seasonin a defensive midfield role, scoring the tying goal in stoppage time of a 1–1 tie with theNew England Revolution.[18]On May 2, 2009, Olsen injured himself during a game againstFC Dallas,which led him to be substituted out during the second half. After skipping two matches he played againstChivas USAat theHome Depot Centeron May 16, 2009. Six minutes into that match he aggravated his hamstring.[19]

It was okay throughout the week. The difference between practice and the game, the speed of play and the demands, I thought I could handle it. Sometimes I want to play too badly.

— Ben Olsen, Soccer Insider[19]

On July 17, 2012, United announced that Olsen would be inducted into theD.C. United Hall of Traditionbefore a match against theNew England Revolutionscheduled for September 15.[20]

International

[edit]
Olsen during practice atSAS Soccer Parkbefore a match againstJamaica

Olsen at one time seemed like the right midfielder of the future for theU.S. national team,as he received his first cap soon after his Rookie of the Year season, on November 6, 1998, againstAustralia,and he was a significant player for the team in the 1999 season. He scored his first international goal during his first international start, which was againstChileon February 21, 1999. As the youngest player on the team. He received a cross fromBrian McBrideduring the 58th minute. He then hit a side volley past goalieMarcelo Ramirezinto the left corner of the goal.[21]In 1999, he earned the U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year award. However, the injuries that kept him out of club play also seriously damaged his aspirations for the national team.

Despite those injuries he was able to compete in the2000 Summer Olympicsfor the United States, which placed fourth overall in the competition. Olsen's third career international goal earned the United States a tie with Tunisia during an international friendly in preparation forWorld Cup qualifying.He scored in injury time whenJohn O'Brienpassed him the ball after a corner kick.[22]

After moving to a controlling midfield position, Olsen was one of the selections onBruce Arena's2006 FIFA World Cuproster, having scored goals in the U.S. team's early 2006 win overGuatemalaand in an April tie with Jamaica. Olsen earned 35 caps in all, scoring 6 goals for the United States. Olsen made his lone World Cup appearance againstGhanain a 2–1 loss, replacing an injuredClaudio Reyna.

Club statistics

[edit]
Club Season League[a] Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
D.C. United 1998 31 4 — 6[b] 0 37 4
1999 28 5 6[b] 2 34 7
2000 13 1 — 13 1
2002 10 0 10 0
2003 26 4 26 4
2004 25 3 4[b] 0 29 3
2005 23 2 2[c] 0 4[b] 0 29 2
2006 20 2 — 3[b] 0 23 2
2007 24 7 2[c] 1 6[d] 0 32 8
2008 1 0 — — 1 0
2009 20 1 2[e] 0 22 1
Totals 221 29 6 1 29 2 256 32
Nottingham Forest 2000–01[23] 18 2 — 18 2
Career totals 239 31 6 1 29 2 274 34
Reference:[24]
  1. ^Appearances in theMajor League SoccerandChampionship.
  2. ^abcdeAppearances in theMLS Cup playoffs
  3. ^abAppearances in theCopa Sudamericana.
  4. ^Appearances in theMLS Cup playoffsandNorth American SuperLiga
  5. ^Appearances in theCONCACAF Champions League.

International goals

[edit]
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 February 21, 1999 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Chile 2–1 2–1 Friendly match
2 July 30, 1999 Guadalajara,Mexico Germany 2–0 2–0 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup
3 March 12, 2000 Birmingham, Alabama Tunisia 1–1 1–1 Friendly match
4 November 17, 2002 Washington, D.C. El Salvador 1–0 2–0 Friendly match
5 February 19, 2006 Frisco, Texas Guatemala 1–0 4–0 Friendly match
6 April 11, 2006 Cary, North Carolina Jamaica 1–1 1–1 Friendly match

Retirement

[edit]

United announced Olsen's retirement from professional competition on October 24, 2009. Only three days earlier Olsen stated in an online chat hosted byThe Washington Postthat he was committed to playing another year.[25]At the time of his retirement Olsen ranked second in games played, minutes played, game-winning goals, third in assists and shots on goal for United.[5]

His retirement prompted numerous expressions of appreciation. On the same day he announced his retirement theWashington Wizardssaluted Olsen at the end of the third quarter. In his honor the Wizards announced $14 tickets to a game against thePhiladelphia 76ers,which reflected Olsen's jersey number for United.[26]

Ben Olsen has been called the heart and soul of D.C. United and, over the years, that is exactly what we've come to expect from him. Since he joined our team as the League's first Project-40 player until his last game in the 2009 season, Ben gave all that he had for his team and his teammates. You can't replace a player like Ben, you simply hope that other players can step up and shoulder the mantle that he carried for so long. He's simply one of the greatest players in D.C. United history.

— Kevin Payne,D.C. UnitedPresident and CEO, DCUnited[5]

Coaching

[edit]
Supporters display atifosupporting Olsen during a match againstFC Dallas

On January 5, 2010, United announced that Olsen would continue to work for United as an assistant coach under head coachCurt Onalfo.On August 5, following a league-worst 3–12–3 start to the season, head coach Curt Onlafo was fired. Subsequently, Olsen was named interim head coach and completed the season with a 3–8–1 record. Although United officials interviewed at least seven candidates, includingHertha BerlinmanagerLucien Favre,the club appointed Olsen to the head coaching position.[27]United made a public announcement on November 29, 2010, and held a press conference in the same room Olsen had announced his retirement one year and one month earlier. Olsen signed a three-year guaranteed contract that made him United's seventh head coach in club history and youngest full-time head coach in the league's 15-year history. This occurred despite the fact that United President and CEOKevin Paynehad continuously ruled him out during the months leading up to the decision.[28]

I don't think he's ready.... It's been a great learning experience for Ben and I am sure he will learn a great deal over the next couple of years. I fully expect Ben will be our head coach someday.

— Kevin Payne,The Washington Post[29]
Ben's Chili Bowlsign converted for the promotional event

In a promotion for the upcoming2011 season,United gave away freehalf-smokesin conjunction withBen's Chili Bowl,which was renamed "Ben Olsen's Chili Bowl" for one hour on March 17, 2011.[30]

In a largely disappointing2013 seasonwhere United was last in the Eastern Division, Olsen led the team to the2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup FinalagainstReal Salt Lake.The team won on a first half stoppage time goal byLewis Neal.

In 2014, Ben Olsen was namedMLS Coach of the Year,helping D.C. United win the MLS Eastern Conference regular season title after finishing in last in 2013.

In 2019, Olsen became the youngest head coach in MLS to reach 100 wins as a manager, achieving the title at 41 years old.[31]

On October 8, 2020, D.C. United announced that Ben Olsen departed from his role of head coach.[32][33]

On November 8, 2022, Olsen was named head coach ofHouston Dynamo.[34]

Personal

[edit]

Olsen is a licensed minister and presided over the nuptials of his then-teammate,Nick Rimando,in 2005. He is married to Megan Schoen, a teacher atTakoma Park Middle School.The two wed inNegril,Jamaicain December 2006. Their wedding was featured in Brides Magazine. Megan gave birth to their daughter, Ruby, on September 30, 2008.[35]

The couple later featured in a popular TV commercial forDick's Sporting Goods,in which Olsen enjoys an impromptu soccer skills exhibition with fellow MLS playersBrian Ching,Duilio DavinoandChristian Gómez,before he and Megan chase their screen son, "Dawson", out of the store when he has the temerity to ask for aDavid Beckhamjersey.[36]

Olsen has rented out the apartment below hisNorthwest, Washington, D.C.town house to numerous teammates, including toD.C. UnitedgoalkeeperZach Wellsduring the 2008 season.[7]

He was featured on the North American cover ofFIFA 2001.

Managerial statistics

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As of match played September 14, 2024[37]
Coaching record by club and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
D.C. United September 19, 2010 October 8, 2020 381 132 96 153 493 538 −45 034.65
Houston Dynamo November 8, 2022 present 85 36 25 24 127 93 +34 042.35
Total 466 168 121 177 620 631 −11 036.05

Honors

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Player

[edit]

D.C. United

United States

Individual

Manager

[edit]

D.C. United

Houston Dynamo

Individual

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^"2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: United States"(PDF).FIFA. March 21, 2014. p. 32. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 10, 2019.
  2. ^Linehan, Meg; Maurer, Pablo; Yang, Steph (September 7, 2021)."Q&A: Ben Olsen on how and why he became president of the Washington Spirit".The Athletic.RetrievedSeptember 7,2021.
  3. ^Steven Goff (April 8, 2010)."Ben Olsen, Josh Gros and Philadelphia".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2013.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  4. ^"Ben Olsen".D.C. United.Archived fromthe originalon March 30, 2009.RetrievedOctober 13,2011.
  5. ^abcd"Ben Olsen retires".D.C. United.November 24, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon January 10, 2010.RetrievedOctober 13,2011.
  6. ^Steven Goff (November 20, 2009)."Olsen to Retire".The Washington Post.Archived fromthe originalon May 24, 2012.RetrievedOctober 13,2011.
  7. ^abMike Wise (May 11, 2008)."Ankle Injury Leaves United Without Its Heart".The Washington Post.RetrievedOctober 17,2011.
  8. ^"Swift Strikers in Soccer Final".The New York Times.December 14, 1997.RetrievedOctober 17,2011.
  9. ^Jeremy Klitzman (February 1, 2011)."Q&A with Ben Olsen".The Cavalier Daily. Archived fromthe originalon February 25, 2011.RetrievedOctober 17,2011.
  10. ^Michael Lewis (December 19, 1999)."United celebrates victory with cigars".CNN / Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon August 24, 2000.RetrievedJune 3,2011.
  11. ^"Olsen's Retirement".The Washington Post.Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2012.
  12. ^"Olsen's Hat Trick Leads D.C. United Past Red Bulls".RetrievedOctober 15,2011.
  13. ^Steven Goff (November 5, 2007)."Surgery for Olsen".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2013.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  14. ^Paul Tenorio (July 8, 2008)."United's Olsen Has Surgery on Left Ankle Again".The Washington Post.RetrievedOctober 17,2011.
  15. ^Steven Goff (May 2, 2008)."Olsen's Career in Jeopardy".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post.RetrievedJune 11,2008.
  16. ^Yanda, Steve (June 30, 2008)."For United's Olsen, A Celebrated Return".The Washington Post.RetrievedApril 26,2010.
  17. ^Paul Tenorio (July 7, 2008)."Olsen Undergoes Another Surgery".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2013.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  18. ^"Olsen's late goal gives DC tie with Revs".D.C. United. April 17, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon April 21, 2009.RetrievedApril 27,2009.
  19. ^abSteven Goff (May 19, 2009)."Olsen's Thoughts".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2013.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  20. ^"Ben Olsen tabbed for D.C. United Hall of Tradition, presented by GEICO, induction".D.C. United. Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2012.RetrievedJuly 17,2012.
  21. ^Charlie Nobles (February 22, 1999)."American Team Takes Another Measured Baby Step".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 17,2011.
  22. ^"Olsen Salvages Tie In Injury Time".The New York Times.March 13, 2000.RetrievedOctober 17,2011.
  23. ^"Games played by Ben Olsen in 2000/2001".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.RetrievedMay 13,2020.
  24. ^"Ben Olsen » Club matches".World Football.RetrievedNovember 2,2018.
  25. ^Steven Goff (October 21, 2009)."DCU Ownership, Olsen, USA Friendlies".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon September 8, 2012.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  26. ^Steven Goff (November 24, 2009)."Olsen's Retirement".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2012.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  27. ^Steve Goff (November 28, 2010)."Ben Olsen emerges as the top candidate for D.C. United's head coaching position".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2013.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  28. ^Steven Goff (November 30, 2010)."Ben Olsen named coach of D.C. United not long after being considered out of the running".The Washington Post.RetrievedOctober 5,2011.
  29. ^Steven Goff (October 25, 2010)."Ben Olsen will not be considered for D.C. United's head coaching job, club president Payne says".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon July 23, 2012.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  30. ^Dan Steinberg (March 17, 2011)."Ben Olsen's Chili Bowl".The Washington Post.D.C. Sports Bog.RetrievedOctober 18,2011.
  31. ^"Ben Olsen becomes youngest coach in MLS history to reach 100 wins".March 21, 2019.
  32. ^"D.C. United Announce the Departure of Head Coach Ben Olsen".dcunited.October 8, 2020.RetrievedOctober 9,2020.
  33. ^Bogert, Tom (October 8, 2020)."Ben Olsen departs as DC United head coach".MLSsoccer.RetrievedOctober 9,2020.
  34. ^"Ben Olsen named new Houston Dynamo head coach | MLSSoccer".MLSsoccer.
  35. ^Steven Goff (October 1, 2008)."Olsen Family Expansion".Soccer Insider.The Washington Post. Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2013.RetrievedOctober 16,2011.
  36. ^John Haydon (July 8, 2008)."Back to even".The Washington Times.
  37. ^"Ben Olsen career sheet".footballdatabase.RetrievedApril 10,2020.
  38. ^"1998 MLS All-Star Game".MLSsoccer.August 2, 1998.RetrievedJuly 27,2023.
  39. ^"1999 MLS All-Star Game".MLSsoccer.July 17, 1999.RetrievedJuly 27,2023.
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