Ben Olsen
Ben Olsen
Benjamin Robert "Ben" Olsenis an American former professional soccer player and the current head coach of D.C. United. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program near Philadelphia. He later attended the University of Virginia, when he was named 1997 Soccer America Player of the Year...
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth3 May 1977
CityHarrisburg, PA
battle fought good happens intensity played soccer time year
It's that time of the year when the intensity is raised. It happens every year, and I think we responded very well. We fought the battle and we also played some pretty good soccer in the meantime.
explosive fit knows local might player type
He's an explosive type of player who might fit in with this team. He's a local boy, so he knows how to get to practice.
adjust chance confident definitely good team
We thought they were a good team, but definitely a beatable team. We feel pretty confident we can come back with a result. The Pumas trip, we didn't know what to expect. I think we have a better chance in Chile. We feel more prepared, we feel we know what this team is about, their strengths, and we can adjust and adapt.
behind cup given goal nice opportunity others stayed tough
The realization right now is that we have one cup to play for. All the others are gone, and we've had some tough losses, but they're completely behind us. It's unfortunate and fortunate. It would've been nice to have stayed in those tournaments but it has also given us the opportunity to have one goal in sight.
team
You look at their lineup and it's a whole different team. It's a team you know you have to respect.
coach couple finding guys heavy offensive team teams together wants
I think we're benefiting from having this team together for a couple of years now. Having a lot of those guys back, especially early, when other teams are still finding themselves, it's a thrill. We'll see what coach wants to do. We're a heavy offensive team.
besides buried feels fourth gave goal good kept months nine playing question score screwed third though took
It always feels good to score the first one -- even though it took me nine months to get it, ... We just screwed up on the goal we gave up. Besides that, it was good soccer. We kept playing well and today, finally, we buried a team. That's what we have been missing. Once we had the lead, the question was, could we get that third goal, could we get that fourth goal? We did it.
again dealt goal score seeing smile special
He's dealt with a lot. To see him smile again after seeing him score a goal is a special moment.
dealt goal last score seeing special year
He's dealt with a lot in the last year and a half. Just seeing him score a goal was a special moment.
good regret run sure
I tell myself I'm going to give it one good run and make sure I don't regret anything.
came earn gave gotten great grow mind needs time
I think he had to grow up pretty quick. He hasn't gotten too many breaks. No one gave him anything once he came into the league. He's had to earn what he has now. I think he's doing a great job. I think he's on course. Keep in mind he's 16 years old. He needs time to develop.
best coming died goals happen help knowledge mania people player pressure score season soccer takes
I think, fortunately, some of the mania has died down for him. That can help all parties. It takes a little of the pressure off him. The expectations coming in for him were unrealistic. The people who don't have any knowledge about soccer thought he'd come in and score 15 goals a season and be the best player in the league. It doesn't happen like that. It's a process.
great job realizing
Landon (Donovan) did a great job realizing they (Jamaica) were a little unorganized.
biggest game goal goals last national special team whether
That was a very special goal and probably one of the biggest goals I've ever scored. Whether that's my last game in a while with the national team is up in the air.