 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
| ||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||
Benjamin Robert Olsen (born May 3, 1977) is an American sports executive,soccer coach, 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 FC inMajor League Soccer. Olsen is best known for his long-term association withD.C. United ofMajor 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 soccer and 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 Cup titles, twoMLS Supporters' Shields and oneU.S. Open Cup winners medal. His individual honors include two-timeMLS All-Star, 1998MLS Rookie of the Year,MLS Cup '99 MVP and 2007MLS Best XI.[5]
Olsen also earned 37caps with theUnited States men's national team, winning the2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup and representing the United States at the2006 FIFA World Cup.
Olsen announced his retirement from professional competition on November 24, 2009.[5][6]
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 namedParade magazine's National High School Player of the Year in 1993.
Olsen was motivated to playcollege soccer at theUniversity of Virginia because the team had just won fourNCAA Division I Championships and was coached byBruce Arena, who had previously coached Olsen when he was 14 to 15 years old. While at UVA theCavaliers won twoFinal Fours and twoACC Men's Soccer Tournaments with 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 Billikens in 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]
Olsen entered the league as aProject-40 player, and was allocated toD.C. United on 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 Award and supported the team as it won the 1998CONCACAF Champions Cup and 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' Shield on the way to winningMLS Cup '99. It was United's thirdMLS Cup victory in the first four years of the league. Olsen, the game's MVP, was especially happy to win the championship game after losingMLS Cup '98 to 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 Fire goalkeeperZach Thornton caused 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 Forest of 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 Moreno was away on national team duty, scored his first careerhat trick in a 4–2 win overNew York Red Bulls on 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 inBaltimore on November 5, 2007.[13][14]
Ankle problems again 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 Galaxy on 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 season in 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 USA at theHome Depot Center on 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 Tradition before a match against theNew England Revolution scheduled for September 15.[20]
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 Post that he was committed to playing another year.[21] 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 Wizards saluted 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.[22]
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.
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 againstChile on February 21, 1999. As the youngest player on the team. He received a cross fromBrian McBride during the 58th minute. He then hit a side volley past goalieMarcelo Ramirez into the left corner of the goal.[23] 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 Olympics for 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'Brien passed him the ball after a corner kick.[24]
After moving to a controlling midfield position, Olsen was one of the selections onBruce Arena's2006 FIFA World Cup roster, having scored goals in the U.S. team's early 2006 win overGuatemala and 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 againstGhana in a 2–1 loss, replacing an injuredClaudio Reyna.
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 Berlin managerLucien Favre, the club appointed Olsen to the head coaching position.[25] 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 Payne had continuously ruled him out during the months leading up to the decision.[26]
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[27]
In a promotion for the upcoming2011 season, United gave away freehalf-smokes in conjunction withBen's Chili Bowl, which was renamed "Ben Olsen's Chili Bowl" for one hour on March 17, 2011 .[28]
In a largely disappointing2013 season where United was last in the Eastern Division, Olsen led the team to the2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final againstReal 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.[29]
On October 8, 2020, D.C. United announced that Ben Olsen departed from his role of head coach.[30][31]
On November 8, 2022, Olsen was named head coach ofHouston Dynamo.[32]
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,Jamaica in December 2006. Their wedding was featured inBrides magazine. Megan gave birth to their daughter, Ruby, on September 30, 2008.[33]
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 Davino andChristian Gómez, before he and Megan chase their screen son, "Dawson", out of the store when he has the temerity to ask for aDavid Beckham jersey.[34]
Olsen has rented out the apartment below hisNorthwest, Washington, D.C. town house to numerous teammates, including toD.C. United goalkeeperZach Wells during the 2008 season.[7]
He was featured on the North American cover ofFIFA 2001.
| Club | Season | League | Continental | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| D.C. United | 1998 | Major League Soccer | 31 | 4 | — | 6[a] | 0 | 37 | 4 | |
| 1999 | 28 | 5 | — | 6[a] | 2 | 34 | 7 | |||
| 2000 | 13 | 1 | — | — | 13 | 1 | ||||
| 2002 | 10 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2003 | 26 | 4 | — | — | 26 | 4 | ||||
| 2004 | 25 | 3 | — | 4[a] | 0 | 29 | 3 | |||
| 2005 | 23 | 2 | 2[b] | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 29 | 2 | ||
| 2006 | 20 | 2 | — | 3[a] | 0 | 23 | 2 | |||
| 2007 | 24 | 7 | 2[b] | 1 | 6[c] | 0 | 32 | 8 | ||
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2009 | 20 | 1 | 2[d] | 0 | — | 22 | 1 | |||
| Total | 221 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 2 | 256 | 32 | ||
| Nottingham Forest | 2000–01[36] | EFL Championship | 18 | 2 | — | — | 18 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 239 | 31 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 2 | 274 | 3 | ||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 21, 1999 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |  Chile | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 2 | July 30, 1999 | Guadalajara, Mexico |  Germany | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 3 | March 12, 2000 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States |  Tunisia | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 4 | November 17, 2002 | Washington, D.C., United States |  El Salvador | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | February 19, 2006 | Frisco, Texas, United States |  Guatemala | 1–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 6 | April 11, 2006 | Cary, North Carolina |  Jamaica | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 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 | 97 | 39 | 29 | 29 | 137 | 109 | +28 | 040.21 |
| Total | 478 | 171 | 125 | 182 | 630 | 647 | −17 | 035.77 | ||
D.C. United
United States
Individual
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Houston Dynamo
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