Coach’s first full season starts against the Crew
Ben Olsen first got the job as D.C. United coach because of his link to the club’s past. But it’s because of Olsen that United appears ready to focus on the present.
As the 2011 season opens, renewed hope abounds for D.C. United, which has pulled off a miraculously successful offseason that may not have been possible without Olsen in charge.
Three of D.C. United’s principal non-draft acquisitions — forwards Charlie Davies and Josh Wolff and midfielder Dax McCarty — all came to Washington in part to play for the 33-year-old Olsen, the youngest coach in MLS history, because they know him and respect him. They also came because they want him to push them with the same passion and energy that has always been his calling card.
| UP NEXT |
| Columbus Crew at D.C. United |
| When » Saturday, 7:30 p.m. |
| Where » RFK Stadium |
| TV » Comcast SportsNet |
“We came in at the same time [as players],” said Wolff, who was acquired in the re-entry draft. “Benny’s very well-known and well-liked throughout our country within the soccer community and for good reasons. He works hard. He has a smile on his face, and in the toughest of times, he finds the positive and keeps on grinding.”
Despite D.C. United’s four MLS Cups, more recently the franchise has been one of woeful underachievement and questionable signings. A steady downward trend over three seasons bottomed out last year with the worst record in the team’s 15 years of existence and 21 goals scored, the fewest in MLS history.
Into that mess Olsen was thrown, taking over on an interim basis in August because the team knew its fans wouldn’t desert one of their most beloved former players. Olsen still humbly expected to step aside when United tried to hire someone with more experience. By the time his number was finally called on a permanent basis, Olsen already had helped bring in McCarty, a player often described as a younger version of himself.
Davies also said Olsen was a big part of why he decided Washington was the right place to rebuild his career, not because he expects to be coddled but because he knows Olsen will be hard on him.
“I know he’s the perfect guy to help me get there,” said Davies, who could make his United debut Saturday, his first professional start since his horrific car accident on the George Washington Parkway in October 2009. “He’s the type of guy, which is very important for me, that’s going to push me and yell at me and scream at me and really get down on me. That’s what I need to get over the top.”
After nearly a decade and a half with D.C. United, Olsen is well-versed in the club’s lore. Refreshingly, he’s not relying on it.
“To me this is a new chapter,” Olsen said. “We need to turn the page and focus on creating our own new history with this club. Saying that, we need to see what we’re made of.”
