ALL POSTS TAGGED "Ben Olsen"

News

/ 4236 days ago

DC United is the Antithesis of MLS 3.0

MLS 3.0 is in full force and the sports media have focused like a laser on the growth of the league. Soccer-specific stadiums have sprung up across the country, academies are churning out young talent, big names are coming across the Atlantic to play in North America, and suddenly U.S. men’s national team players are […]

News

/ 4876 days ago

Houston Machine Steamrolls DC to Take Eastern Conference

In retrospect, it was obvious. Houston is so good playing with an aggregate lead in the playoffs and with DC missing Chris Pontius and a fully healthy Dwayne De Rosario, the task really was impossible. But it didn't feel that way at RFK Stadium Sunday afternoon, as a crowd of over 20,000 (including 350 standing […]

News

/ 4993 days ago

Why I Am Still Avoiding the MLS All Star Game

About a year ago on this site, I wrote an article about why I would not be watching the MLS All Stars face off against Manchester United at Red Bull Arena. In essence, I felt that another meaningless friendly, but this time with a collection of MLS talent instead of just one team, didn't peak […]

News

/ 5017 days ago

Olsen's Tactics Carry the Day: DCU 3, Montreal 0

Tonight's DC United and Montreal game saw an occurrence that is become more common in MLS – both teams coached by two long-time MLS players. For the home team, that coach is legendary player Ben Olsen, who as a player was known for his passion, his on-the-field smarts, and his desire for the game. Everyone […]

News

/ 5086 days ago

Pontius Hat Trick Leads D.C. Past Red Bulls Shambolic Defending

Two hot teams met Sunday at R.F.K. Stadium, as New York headed down I-95 to the Nation's Capitol to face D.C. United. The home team, buoyed by the blossoming of a fit Chris Pontius, struck early and often as they defeated the Red Bulls, 4-1. New York was riding a four match unbeaten streak, where […]

News

/ 5101 days ago

DC United Holds Seattle to a Scoreless Draw

Over 15,000 vocal fans packed RFK Stadium yesterday to see an inter-coastal rivalry renewed for the only time this year, and both sets of supporters walked away satisfied as on the pitch the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw. Despite the lack of scoring, the game was an up-tempo one that either team could have taken […]

News

/ 5129 days ago

Sapong Late Goal Gives KC 1-0 Win Over DC

Who says you can't go home? Manassas, VA native C.J. Sapong headed a corner kick into the net in the 93rd minute to help Sporting Kansas City notch a 1-0 road victory over DC United. While KC had a majority of the possession and at times looked ready to take the lead throughout, this game […]

News

/ 5133 days ago

MLS Preview '12 – DC United

Team: D.C. United Coach: Ben Olsen Last Season: 9-13-12, 7th Eastern Conference, 13th Overall Hashtag: #DCU There is a sense of anticipation around the DC United fan base this season, a sense of anticipation that fans have not had for a few years. After missing the playoffs four straight years, the team invested in some new talent to […]

News

/ 5300 days ago

Chivas Force 2-2 Draw with United

Fans who saw the scoreline of September 10th's 3-0 win by DC United over Chivas would assume that DCU would win handily against the Goats at home and, with New York's loss, would move into the driver's seat with their playoff push. But as the excellent fan blog Black and Red United noted, Chivas actually […]

News

/ 5360 days ago

Everton Wraps Up U.S. Tour With 3-1 Win Over DC United

Everton finished its U.S. preseason tour tonight with a definitive 3-1 win over DC United on a very hot night in front of almost 13,000 fans. Those in attendance (about half of whom were Everton faithfuls) got to see some of the EPL team's biggest names on the pitch, including Phil Neville, Leighton Baines, and […]

News

/ 5509 days ago

MLS '11 Preview : Can the Black and Red Unite Under the Fiery Olsen?

Team: DC United Coach: Ben Olsen Last Year's Finish: 8th Eastern Conference, 16th Overall, 6-20-4 This year's seemingly annual retooling of DC United carries much more weight than usual. After finishing not only the worst season in club history, but likely the worst in MLS history, United had holes to fill all over the place. But […]

News

/ 5597 days ago

DC United Wins Hearts, Loses Its Mind

Let me step back from my normal neutral MLS observer/blogger and enter fan mode for a few minutes. I think this is the best way to analyze the Ben Olsen hiring. As a DC United supporter, I am ecstatic that Ben Olsen is the new head coach of the club. His resume as a DC […]

News

/ 5607 days ago

Who Will Resurrect the DC United Franchise?

As the MLS world check their passports and descend upon Toronto, the league's premier and winningest team is searching for its next manager, its third in the past three season (if you include interim Ben Olsen). The team let go of Curt Onalfo toward the end of the season and turned the reigns over to […]

News

/ 5813 days ago

What Has Gone Wrong with DC United? : League Staple in the Cellar

The question "What's going on in DC?" has become a recurring one among the fan circles of Major League Soccer. It's a question that seems to be important to any fan of the game in this country. Whether it be rabidly passionate supporters from the DC, Maryland and Virginia area or just general MLS enthusiasts […]