October 4 is College Night at RFK! $20 tickets with a .edu email address: http://t.co/BwhQs3X8oM

Rosters

BEN OLSEN – HEAD COACH

Olsen's coaching career began prior to the 2010 MLS campaign as an assistant under Curt Onalfo. Midway through the 2010 campaign, Olsen replaced Onalfo, making his debut as Interim Head Coach on August 7 at New England. Olsen won his first match in charge on August 22 against Philadelphia in a 2-0 triumph. Following improved play under the former United captain, Olsen was hired permanently as Head Coach on November 29, 2010. At 33-years-old, he was, at the time, the youngest coach in Major League Soccer.

In his first full season in charge, Olsen's side made big strides in 2011, as the team finished 9-13-12 and was in the playoff hunt until the final week of the season. In particular, the club's offense saw vast improvement, as the 2011 squad scored 49 goals – good enough for fourth most in MLS.

As a player, Olsen was amongst the club's all-time leaders in several key categories at the time of his retirement – second in games played (221), minutes played (17,098) and game-winning goals (13), third in assists (49) and shots on goal (155), and seventh all-time in goals (29). Arguably the most popular player in United history, the midfielder won eight total trophies while in DC, including two MLS Cups (1999 & 2004). He was a two-time All-Star (1998 & 1999), the 1998 MLS Rookie of the Year, the 1999 MLS Cup MVP, the 2003 USSF Humanitarian of the Year and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2007. He retired from the Black-and-Red as a player on November 24, 2009.

In addition to his storied career with United, Olsen also had an illustrious career with the U.S. Men's National Team. He made his full international debut against Australia on November 6, 1998. His first goal for the U.S. came in just his second international game when he tallied against Chile on February 21, 1999. In 2000, he was part of the team that reached the bronze medal game at the Sydney Olympics before falling to Chile. Olsen was selected to the 2006 World Cup team and played 51 minutes in the team's final match against Ghana. All told, the midfielder earned 37 caps and six goals with the U.S. Men's National Team.

Prior to his professional career, Olsen spent three seasons at the University of Virginia from 1995-1997. During his time with the Cavaliers, the team posted a 56-8-8 record. All told, the midfielder compiled 34 goals with 41 assists and started and played every game (69) of his collegiate career. After his junior season, he was named the 1997 Soccer America Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy. He was also named as the ACC Tournament MVP and selected to the NSCAA All-American first-team after his senior year.

STAFF

TECHNICAL STAFF

  • Dave Kasper - General Manager
  • Francisco Tobar - Team Administrator
  • Brian Goodstein, MS, ATC, CSCS - Head Athletic Trainer
  • Brian Gerlach - Assistant Athletic Trainer
  • Adam Rotchstein - Physical Preparation Coach
  • Dr. James Gilbert - Head Team Physician
  • Gabriel Manoel - Physical Therapist
  • Sioux Barry - Massage Therapist
  • David Brauzer - Equipment Manager
  • Dan Deming - Assistant Equipment Manager
  • Azhar Zaky - Team Operations Coordinator