Q&A with D.C. United Head Coach: Ben Olsen

By Jeremy Klitzman on February 1, 2011

Few players in the history of the Virginia men’s soccer program have been as impressive as Ben Olsen. In his three-year career as a Cavalier, Olsen tallied 34 goals, 41 assists and 109 total points before foregoing his senior year to play professionally. Olsen currently shares second place on Virginia’s all-time list for most points in a season with 54, holds sixth place for goals in a season with 19, third and fifth for assists in a season with 17 and 16, respectively, and third for career assists with 41. He was also named the Soccer America Collegiate Player of the Year in 1997.

Olsen joined D.C. United in 1998 and was subsequently named the MLS Rookie of the Year that season, establishing himself as a valuable asset on the right wing. Throughout his 10-year career with D.C. United, Olsen won two MLS Championships, was named the MLS Championship Game’s most valuable player in 1999, and earned the title of MLS All-Star twice.

Olsen has also represented the USA at the international level, appearing in the 2006 World Cup.

After retiring in October of 2009, Olsen stepped in as D.C. United’s interim coach in August 2010 and was officially named head coach in Nov. 2010.

Earlier this month, he shared his thoughts with The Cavalier Daily HERE: