Revisiting Old Stuff

As I was preparing a job application, I ran across some of my old writing for D.C. United. Given the turn of events during the 2010 season, this particular piece caught my eye and as I re-read it, I was struck by just how silly it seems that TPTB at DCU had originally rejected Ben as a candidate for a full-time head coaching gig. The man was a great interview and a dedicated player.

I wish him the best of luck!

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The Consummate Professional
Originally published in MLS' Freekick Magazine for D.C. United - 2004, Volume 9: Issue 3
On the pitch and off, Ben Olsen is a role model.

Ben Olsen has been a workhorse for D.C. United since joining the team as part of the Project-40 program in 1998. He played in 43 of United’s 44 matches in all competitions that year, with his four goals and eight assists in League play earning him Rookie of the Year honors.

He would continue his strong form into 1999, netting five goals and 11 assists in regular season play. Olsen added a pair of goals during United’s run to glory in 1999, including a game-winner in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against Columbus.

His success vaulted him into the U.S. National Team picture, where he was named to Bruce Arena’s 2000 Gold Cup side. He played a full 90 minutes in the opening match against Haiti, and came off the substitute’s bench against Peru and Colombia. He was also a member of the U.S. U-23 National Team, bronze-medal winners in the Sydney Olympics.

With all of this success, Olsen soon attracted interest from abroad. In the summer of 2000, David Platt, then manager of Nottingham Forest, took note of a “bright, lively and energetic player” in the right side of the U.S. midfield. Platt felt that Olsen could make an immediate impact in the Garibaldi Reds’ first team, so he contacted United to arrange a loan for the youngster.

Olsen jumped into the fray with both feet and immediately became a favorite son of the Reds faithful. His hard work on match day earned him love and adoration from the fans, while his dedication on the training ground won him respect and popularity with his teammates.

“[Ben] soon got used to the pace and became a crowd favorite,” said Nottingham Forest Chief Executive Mark Arthur, recalling Olsen’s time at the Midlands club. “Forest fans love players who work hard and give everything to the cause. He worked hard in practice and became popular with his teammates.”

He continued to make an impact with Forest, scoring two goals in 18 appearances for the Reds in league play. His strong play fueled transfer talks between Forest and Major League Soccer, with the only stalling point the size of the transfer fee. That is, until March 2001, when a severely fractured ankle ended Olsen’s loan to Forest.

Olsen would miss the entire 2001 MLS soccer season recovering from the injury. He underwent four surgeries on the ankle, completing the regimen on June 11th, 2002. He immediately set to training, and made his first appearance on July 27th, recapturing his spot in the starting XI nearly two years to the day after his last appearance for the Black-and-Red.

It was as if he’d never left. Olsen continues to show the dedication to D.C. United that marked his outstanding rookie season. He continues to give his all on the pitch and off. One of the hardest workers on the pitch, his passion for the game is evidenced by the little things he does. He is often the first person in the locker room before practice, taking care of his body. After games, he is always open to questions from the media and is very well-spoken and in control no matter the situation.

And when asked about his aspirations for the future, his love for D.C. United is clear.

“My aspirations right now are D.C. United being a championship team,” said Olsen matter-of-factly. “That’s the only thing in my control. That’s all I can focus on, helping in some way to get us back where we were, to help bring back the trophies.”

And were you to just know that, Olsen’s story would be impressive enough. But in addition to his tremendous work ethic on the field, Olsen is just as dedicated to D.C. United off the pitch.

At D.C. United’s 2004 Meet the Team Day, an annual event for season ticket holders to meet the players and coaching staff, the attendance was overwhelming. A line stretched throughout the restaurant and spilled into the parking lot. Even after a hard-fought match against Los Angeles the night before, the players were hard at work, getting only one break in a three hour stretch – ten minutes to stuff down their food, barely enough time to taste it – before going back at it. At 4:30 p.m., the doors were mercifully closed, a full half-hour after the scheduled 4:00 cutoff. But up to the very end, one player had a huge smile on his face, genuinely happy to be there. It was just another way for Olsen to give back to the fans that have supported him and the club so much.

Olsen has always been excited to give back to the community, whether here or abroad. Like D.C. United, Nottingham Forest is a club dedicated to making an impact in their community. Olsen was always interested in helping. Always the willing volunteer, children both here and abroad took a quick liking to the well-rounded player.

In 2003, his community work was recognized, as Olsen was honored as the U.S. Soccer Foundation Major League Soccer Humanitarian of the Year. He took a large role within several of United’s youth and charitable initiatives, as well as donating his personal time to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Olsen has since been invited to join the board of D.C. United’s charitable arm, United for D.C.

It was an easy decision for Olsen.

“If you’re asked to do something to help the club in any way, [you do it],” said Olsen. “I believe in giving back to the community as much as you can. When they [the United for D.C. board] honored me by asking me to sit on the board, of course I said yes.”

That is what sets Ben Olsen apart. Olsen is focused on one thing, the present. It’s no coincidence then, that Mark Arthur’s most lasting recollection of him is quite simple.

“Apart from being a great person, Ben was the consummate professional soccer player.”

Was and is.