Midfielder
Ben Olsen
5' 8"
Biography of retired USMNT soccer player Ben Olsen who spent most of a decade as the head coach of DC United in MLS.
Caps: 37 | Goals: 6
When Ben Olsen first entered Major League Soccer in 1998 with D.C. United, he was a right-sided player. But as his career has progressed he has proven versatile enough to play as a holding midfielder for both club and country. His athleticism and amazing work rate brought him enormous success at the youth international level, DC United, and for the full USMNT.
Olsen was poised to take his game to the next level after 19 full international appearances and a successful stay in England on loan to Nottingham Forest, before a fractured ankle in March of 2001 put him out of action for the rest of the year. Olsen struggled to put his injury woes behind him, missing several games in 2003 and 2004. Finally, in 2005, when switching to a center midfield position under United head coach Peter Nowak, Olsen started to blossom again, putting him back in the mix for the US National Team. In 2007, new DC coach Tom Soehn pushed Olsen back out wide, with surprisingly successful results, including his first career hat-trick.
The culmination of Olsen’s rebirth was being named to Bruce Arena’s 23-man roster in 2006 as a center midfielder. In that World Cup, Olsen made one appearance when he replaced an injured Claudio Reyna in the first half against Ghana in the team’s third match of group play.
Olsen had an exceptional 2007 season in MLS, but injury problems would recur. After missing most of the 2008 season, he was once again a regular contributor in 2009. He announced his retirement on Nov 24th, 2009 and joined DC United’s coaching staff. On Aug 4th, 2010 he was named interim head coach, eventually dropping the interim part of the title. He remained in charge of DC until October, 2020 putting together one of the longest runs of any coach in MLS history.
“Of course, it has meant a lot to me to be part of this organization. It has been a wonderful feeling. It has been like a second family for me. I have been very lucky to play here since college. This is just a great club.” on playing for DC United, from 10 Questions With Ben Olsen
College: Olsen started all 69 games of his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, scoring 34 goals in 41 matches. In high school, he was named the Pennsylvania Player of the Year and the Parade Magazine National Player of the Year as a senior at Middleton High School.
USMNT Experience
2007
Named to the Copa America roster. Started in losses to Argentina and Paraguay.
2006
Made eight appearances for the US National Team, including his appearance off the bench in the World Cup against Ghana. Scored two goals to finish in a tie for second on the team for the year.
2005
Played four games in the Gold Cup, including the final, and the November friendly against Scotland.
2003
Played two games, including a start against Argentina on February 8.
2002
Scored in his return from a two-year absence from the National Team in a 2-0 win over El Salvador.
2000
Was part of the squad that won the Nike US Cup. Was a key member of the US team that finished fourth in the 2000 Olympic games.
1999
Named the Chevrolet Male Athlete of the Year for his success with both the national team and with D.C. United. Scored first international goal in a 2-1 victory over Chile on February 21, 1999.
1998
Made first full international appearance on November 6, against Australia.
1997
Registered three goals and three assists in 20 games for the U-20s.
Professional Experience
2009
Returned to DC and made 20 League appearances. Retired at the end of the season.
2008
Made one appearance for DC, missing most of the season due to injury.
2007
Continued to be an integral part of the DC United team that won the Supporters' Shield, often taking over as team captain when Jaime Moreno was absent. Playing mostly on the right if midfield, scored seven goals and recorded seven assists in 26 games (23 starts), including his first career hat-trick against New York.
2006
Started 21 of 23 games he appeared in overall, scoring twice and assisting on three times as one of the Supporters' Shield-winning team's holding midfielders.
2005
Started 23 of the 24 games he played in overall, notching two goals and four assists.
2004
Named an MLS All-Star as he started 25 games in the regular season, scoring three goals and adding four assists. Played and started four games in postseason playoffs, adding one assist on United's road to a fourth MLS Cup title.
2003
Played 26 regular season games for United, recording four goals and seven assists.
2002
Returned to DC United's line-up after nearly 18 months away from the field. Played ten games (seven starts), recording a sole assist.
2001
Sidelined by ankle injury.
2000
Began a successful loan spell with Nottingham Forest of the English First Division. Earned MLS Player of the Week honors in April. Played 13 games (one goals, three assists).
1999
Notched seven goals and 11 assists in 34 games for United on the way to the club's third MLS Cup championship. Scored in 2-0 MLS Cup final win over LA.
1998
Played 37 games overall (31 starts) as part of the United team that went to MLS Cup and lost to Chicago. Scored four goals and recorded nine assists. Was in the DC team that won the 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Signed with DC as a member the Project-40 program, and went on to be named the 1998 MLS Rookie of the Year.
