Ben Olsen joked on Wednesday that he received more calls and e-mails after his hat trick last weekend than he did when he got married last winter.
One more call may yet come, from the U.S. national team. Olsen said he’s on the short list for the Copa America in Venezuela — which begins for the U.S. against Argentina on June 28 — and that he, Bobby Boswell and Bryan Namoff have all been told to get immunizations next week in case they are selected.
“That’s up to them. I’m very happy right now playing with D.C. United in my role. If I’m called and they need me, obviously, I’d be willing to go and do what I can do,” said Olsen, 30, who hasn’t been called into the national team camp since Bob Bradley was named head coach last December. “They know who I am, they know what I’m about. If they need me in any capacity, I’m here, and would never say no to play for my country.”
Carroll sharp after last week’s layoff: D.C. United was solid from front to back in their 4-2 win over New York, but midfielder Brian Carroll looked especially sharp after missing the previous week’s game at Los Angeles as a precautionary measure with a slight quad injury.
The match also proved a return to form for Carroll, who struggled earlier in the season. He maintained his week off was solely about physical recovery.
“The week off was to get as healthy as I could. It wasn’t to rest so I could play better, it was rest so I could feel better, and I did,” said Carroll, who has looked increasingly comfortable as the holding midfielder in United’s new 4-4-2 set up.
“We put a lot of stress on Brian in this new formation. … There’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of ground to cover,” said Olsen. “He’s been great. And B.C.’s had an up-and-down year this year. It’s so nice to see people take it in the right way, and get themselves right and come back and play the way they can play.”
