Ben Olsen chat transcript
Wednesday, October 21 - 1:00 PM ET
On October 21, D.C. United's Ben Olsen took your questions. After missing almost the entire 2008 season due to ankle surgeries, the 32-year old midfielder has returned to the field this year to feature in 19 League games (18 starts). With the team still in the playoff hunt heading into the last game of the season, United's second-longest tenured player will answer your questions on all things United.
© 2010 MacFarlane Chang DC Soccer, LLC dba D.C. United
Why don't you have a Twitter?
From Ted Meyer - 1:26 pm
Tweet this: Ben is done with this chat.
Thanks for all the questions. See you soon.
From Ben Olsen - 1:45 pm
Ben,
Thanks for being the heart and soul of the team ... we, the fans, love your grit! Even though the '09 season hasn't wrapped up yet, have you given any thoughts to your plans for '10? Do you envision strapping on the boots for another season with DC or do you see yourself on the sidelines in a coaching role? Personally, I'd love to see you on the pitch again in 2010.
From Jeff, Ashburn VA - 12:30 pm
I’m looking forward to being on the pitch next year.
From Ben Olsen - 1:45 pm
Ben, out of all of your years playing for DC, which has been your favorite year and why?
From Liz - 11:38 am
’99 was my favorite year. We won MLS Cup. Really, just because of that – it was my first MLS Cup. It was a great team.
From Ben Olsen - 1:44 pm
Mr. United,
How difficult do you think the transition is going to be from United's greatest player of all time to United's greatest coach of all time?
Thanks.
From James Foster - 11:02 am
I’m certainly not the first part and I think Bruce might have some things to say about the second.
From Ben Olsen - 1:44 pm
Hello Ben,
I was just curious as to why you opted to go ahead with the "Body Issue" photo shoot? The wife and I were just reading an article about United for DC and the work that United is doing in the community. Do you feel that the "Body Issue" negatively effects what DC United is doing in the ccommunity?
From Luis A. Perez Jr. - 10:25 am
I don’t look at the body as a negative thing. I thought it was a really well done magazine about the form of today’s athletes – big, small, disabled, tall, short. D.C. United does an enormous amount of positive things for this community. Though I understand why some people might look at it the way you did, hopefully that doesn’t detract from all of the positive thing the club does for the youth in this area. Thanks for the question.
From Ben Olsen - 1:43 pm
How do you prepare for each game? Do you have any special, weird, or quirky rituals that you partake in? Does the team have any traditions that help mentally or physically prepare for each game?
From Meg Goforth - 7:10 pm
Everybody’s different. I, personally, try to keep the same routine through game day, which includes watching games and mentally preparing for the match. I eat a lot of carbs and hydrate. I used to, when I was younger, shoot hoops in the morning at a local park, but now I need to save all the energy I can.
From Ben Olsen - 1:42 pm
Is coaching something you see in your future? Do you have any coaching licenses? Do you think it's stupid that a professional soccer player should need a coaching license?
From David Theibert - 10:05 am
Yes, yes and… yes.
From Ben Olsen - 1:41 pm
Are your ankles pain free, or are you just playing through the pain?
From Jeff Maurer - 9:14 am
They’re certainly not pain free, but everybody plays with pain at this part of the year.
From Ben Olsen - 1:41 pm
Hey Ben,
How many razor blades do you go through in a given month?
From Shatz - 8:56 am
Zero. I use a trimmer.
From Ben Olsen - 1:41 pm
Hey Ben, how does it feel to be one of the longest tenured players on the team? Do you have any fond memories of any particular players from the past? Do you still keep in touch with El Diablo?
From Gary Peña - 8:39 am
I’m honored to still be a part of this club. It’s been a great ride here so far and I’ve been very lucky to have played for great coaches and players here, as well as great front office, and in front of the best fans. We recently had the ’99 reunion and it was wonderful catching up with Marco and the guys on that team.
From Ben Olsen - 1:40 pm
Throughout your entire MLS career, who did you least like playing against?
From patrick - 1:51 am
Alecko Eskandarian in practice. He’s got a screw loose. As far as other teams, certain guys seem to always have good games against us – Twellman, Donovan, especially.
From Ben Olsen - 1:40 pm
Ben, when you beamed that guy in the head were you surprised by how accurate your shot was? Do you plan on have any surgeries in the off-season?
From Julius Najab - 9:52 pm
I was a little surprised. It was the most accurate shot I’ve had all year. No surgery plans as of now.
From Ben Olsen - 1:39 pm
If you could bring back any former DCU player to be a part of the team now, who would it be and why?
From Jessica - 9:44 pm
There are too many to choose from. Richie, Goose, Eddie, Marco, Carlos, etc. How can I pick just one?
From Ben Olsen - 1:39 pm
First off, I want to express how grateful I am that you've been able to play this season and have such a great impact. I was wondering, do you still follow college soccer, particularly your alma mater? Also, what's your view on so many young players leaving to play pro/overseas before graduating?
From Taylor Carmines - 8:20 pm
I don’t follow them as much as I should. Each case is different, some might be better staying and developing and some might have a great situation, financially and professionally.
From Ben Olsen - 1:38 pm
Does all that profuse hair growth sap your strength during training? Also, when does the Nair endorsement come through?
From Frank - 7:59 pm
I think it gives me strength more than saps it. I am Samson-esque.
From Ben Olsen - 1:38 pm
Can I have a hug? :)
From Elizabeth - 1:31 pm
Meet me at Ben's Chili Bowl in an hour.
From Ben Olsen - 1:31 pm
Any thoughts about making the 2010 World Cup squad after all the injuries to the U.S. team?
From Ted Meyer - 1:02 pm
I think about it all the time, but it still means I'm going to be sitting at home watching on my couch. [Laughs]
From Ben Olsen - 1:31 pm
Ben,
Tough season so far, but it's been great seeing you fight through the surgeries to get back out there.
You got any plans of getting back to Woolly Mammoth for a show after the season ends?
Brian
From Brian - 1:09 pm
Absolutely, when I get some time I'm going to go visit the great people over at Woolly and some of their new shows, especially because they let me in free.
From Ben Olsen - 1:30 pm
would u think united moving to baltimore would add to the fan base or diminish it? thanks lionheart!
From pablo - 1:15 pm
I want D.C. United to stay in DC.
From Ben Olsen - 1:29 pm
has your mangora sweater returned since the neked photoshoot?
why can't a new stadium be built on rfk's current property?
From bobzila - 1:17 pm
Quite full and lush.
Great question about the stadium. I wish I knew the answer.
From Ben Olsen - 1:29 pm
So, why #14?
From youth days, high school, your mom's bday? What?
From Markus - 7:49 pm
It was the number in my locker when I showed up my rookie year at D.C. United. I was #10 in college and before that I always liked #11, but for the rest of my life #14.
From Ben Olsen - 1:27 pm
What's it like bein' Ben Olsen?
From Rob - 7:37 pm
Livin’ is good.
From Ben Olsen - 1:27 pm
What exactly is diesel? :)
From Cathy Lemp - 12:53 pm
Jacked. Ripped. Massive. Shaq-like.
From Ben Olsen - 1:24 pm
Hello Ben
Whats your favorite European club and why? Also, who was your favorite player growing up?
Thanks
From Shane Otten - 7:14 pm
I grew up a Man U fan, so Ryan Giggs was my favorite.
From Ben Olsen - 1:22 pm
How do you see the USA national team heading into the world cup and how do you think they will fair? Are you in the plans of the team to go to S. Africa?
From Bruce Brecks - 5:49 pm
No, I will not be there. The World Cup is one of the hardest things to predict in sports. You can expect the top teams to be there, but for the rest of the field, a lot of it is who gets some bounces.
From Ben Olsen - 1:20 pm
Hey Ben,
Great to see you out there on the pitch and providing the heart of a lion when the team needs it the most. Where do you see yourself after you retire?
From Tyler Hanson - 5:47 pm
It’s something I think about, but I haven’t narrowed it down to any one thing as of yet. If you have any suggestions, let me know so I can send my resume. It read: “30 years of playing soccer.” Oh yeah, I cut lawns once.
From Ben Olsen - 1:15 pm
Are you coming next year to DCU as a:
a) Player
b) Manager
c) Fan
d) New Owner
e) Midfielder Coach
f) Cheerleader
g) Beer / Hot Dog Seller
h) Mascot
From Fedorov Kadmius - 5:45 pm
I’d come back as the mascot/player, but I’ve smelled the inside of that suit before and it’s not… good. So, I’ll just stick to being a player.
From Ben Olsen - 1:12 pm
ben, who would you say your favorite pro soccer player is, besides Jaime Moreno.
From ben dover hehehe - 5:41 pm
I didn’t know Jaime knew how to type.
From Ben Olsen - 1:09 pm
Hey Ben,
How do you and the other members of the team feel about playing US Open Cup matches out at the Soccerplex in Germantown? Also, how bad did you give it to Burch and Wallace after Saturdays UVA win?
From Matthew - 5:34 pm
Is this Matt Nickell? We like Germantown as a venue. I think the fans get a close-up look at the game.
From Ben Olsen - 1:06 pm
Dear Mr.Olsen,
I have been a fan of DC United ever since started playing soccer and your by far my favorite player.I was wondering, what was your favorite goal that you ever scored?
Alvaro
From Alvaro - 5:22 pm
I think the two that stick out are the championship game against LA Galaxy in ’99 MLS Cup and the third goal against Red Bulls in 2007.
From Ben Olsen - 1:03 pm
Rumor has it you are considering retirement. Is this true or false?
From Taylor Harper - 4:41 pm
Who told you that? I want names. As of now, I’m committed to playing another year.
From Ben Olsen - 1:00 pm
Who is faster Gomez or Moreno and if you could have any super power what would it be and why LOL
From Geshan Pathirana - 3:48 pm
Jaime is better over long distance, Christian is quicker. My superpower would be x-ray vision.
From Ben Olsen - 1:00 pm