Ben Olsen retires
On November 24, Ben Olsen announced the end of his professional career. One of the most legendary players in Major League Soccer history, #14 was known as the 'Heart-and-Soul' of D.C. United. With eight major trophies to his name and a host of individual honors, Benny was best known for a grit and determination seen in few players.
- Ben Olsen retires - press release
- A Capital role model - by Tony Limarzi
- Quotes from Olsen's former coaches at D.C. United
- Olsen retires after 12 seasons - by Charlie Boehm
- Ben Olsen with his fans by Dan Steinberg, Washington Post
- Ben Olsen Announces Retirement from United Mania
Press Conference Highlights
Below, please share your favorite memories of his career, whether on the field or off. We'll share every comment with Ben directly.
Twitter users: send a tweet using the hash tag: #olsen14 or #benolsen and we'll pull it into the comments below.
© 2010 MacFarlane Chang DC Soccer, LLC dba D.C. United
:.-( have renamed the red blanket I am knitting the "Ben Olsen I will Miss you Blanket" in honor of # 14 of @dcunited #DCU
From mypointbeing (mypointbeing) via Twitter - 9:30 am
Aside from covering heavy hearts at Verizon, caught #DCU Ben Olsen's retirement. His perspective & journey are unique http://bit.ly/5KGvHn
From craigstouffer (Craig Stouffer) via Twitter - 9:30 am
Here's hoping Ben Olsen sticks around the League for long time in other roles as his playing career comes to an end - Best of luck to him
From JasonETProducer (Jason S) via Twitter - 8:17 am
End of an era w/retirement of D.C. United's Ben Olsen, a rare mix of talent, workrate, heart. Makes me feel old too; covered him in college.
From GrantWahl (Grant Wahl) via Twitter - 8:07 am
Longtime DC United, US Player Ben Olsen Retires http://bit.ly/5IK1CG
From wusa9 (wusa9) via Twitter - 7:09 am
Longtime DC United, US player Ben Olsen retires http://bit.ly/7ocUcd
From Sports_WTOP (WTOP Sports) via Twitter - 6:48 am
loads of movement in #mls at mo. Ben Olsen you shall be missed, if not just for the beard. Wonder who is next for chicago?
From mikeycattell (michael cattell) via Twitter - 4:46 am
Soccer By Ives: Ben Olsen officially retires http://bit.ly/4AoV3J
From Soccer_Newsfeed (Soccer Newsfeed) via Twitter - 3:03 am
LOL @ Garber! RT @thesoccerdon All of MLS thanks DC United star Ben Olsen for 12 memorable year
From FIRExNECK (FIRE NECK) via Twitter - 2:42 am
Ben Olsen / D.C. United Midfielder Ben Olsen Announces Retirement (Goal.com) http://www.fantasysp.com/player/scr/Ben_Olsen/660084 #SCR
From Soccer__News (Soccer News) via Twitter - 2:09 am
Just wanted to give props to my boy Ben Olsen who retired today. One of my fav teammates ever who truly was the heart and soul of @dcunited
From alecko11 (Alecko Eskandarian) via Twitter - 1:47 am
dcrockclub RIP Ben Olsen: Retire-in-Peace, sweet Ben. I was always pleased that you m.. http://bit.ly/5wM3x4
via @JumboSlice
From atxhipsters (atxhipsters) via Twitter - 1:43 am
D.C. United's Former Head Coaches On Ben Olsen...http://p.gs/8lgia
From Ken__Lind (Ken Lind) via Twitter - 1:37 am
The Heart of a Lion: I really need to get to some work before I go to bed, but I must acknowledge Ben Olsen's r.. http://bit.ly/4xHM1h
From jamesmelton1 (james melton) via Twitter - 1:18 am
Ben Olsen is my hero.
From walk0362 (Zach Walker) via Twitter - 11:11 pm
November 24, 2009 is 'Ben Olsen Day' by order of the Mayor of DC. (via @dcunited)
From pfunkturner (Paul J Turner) via Twitter - 11:08 pm
Ben Olsen retires. A lot of respect 4 him. Played through a lot of pain. Will miss seeing him play http://bit.ly/6m6GEf http://bit.ly/5HePWB
From mrjabba (Kevin Hutson) via Twitter - 10:53 pm
Longtime DC United, US player Ben Olsen retires Longtime D.C. United and United States midfielder Ben Olsen... http://bit.ly/8ske3G #dc
From DCNewsTrender (DCNewsTrender) via Twitter - 10:50 pm
Citing chronic pain, Olsen calls time: MLS - Major League Soccer By Charles Boehm / MLSnet.com Staff Ben Olsen .. http://bit.ly/7IuF05
From Doclind (Oregon Chiropractor) via Twitter - 10:25 pm
RIP Abe Pollin and Happy Trails Ben Olsen. DC Sports losing a lot today.
From crocken (crocken) via Twitter - 10:17 pm
2009: Ben Olsen scores his last professional goal versus New England in stoppage time: dcunited posted a photo:.. http://bit.ly/8lDCe9
From MK_tweeter (mon klaatu) via Twitter - 8:46 pm
2009: Olsen celebrates his stoppage time goal versus New England: dcunited posted a photo:
Ben Olsen continue.. http://bit.ly/7uhC6l
From MK_tweeter (mon klaatu) via Twitter - 8:46 pm
2009: Olsen in his final season for the Black-and-Red: dcunited posted a photo:
Ben Olsen continued rehab thr.. http://bit.ly/6FgNt5
From MK_tweeter (mon klaatu) via Twitter - 8:47 pm
2009: Ben Olsen with members of United Soccer Clubs: dcunited posted a photo:
Ben Olsen's career extends beyo.. http://bit.ly/8BOYHe
From MK_tweeter (mon klaatu) via Twitter - 8:47 pm
D.C. United's Ben Olsen opts to retire - http://tinyurl.com/ygt3smp
From ESPN_US_Soccer (ESPN US Soccer) via Twitter - 8:49 pm
was the first local media outlet to report Ben Olsen of Middletown retired from pro soccer. Anyone have any... http://bit.ly/6a0JR2
From JasonBristol (Jason Bristol) via Twitter - 8:59 pm
Ben Olsen of DC United announces retirement from soccer today. Damn good player, & a loss to MLS for sure. He'll be missed on the pitch.
From michelledeidre (Michelle) via Twitter - 8:43 pm
Excerpts from Ben Olsen's news conference: http://bit.ly/6KLCEQ #dcu
From SoccerInsider (Steven Goff) via Twitter - 8:36 pm
reading: Former USA international and long-serving D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen has announced his r.. http://bit.ly/91sHAa
From riteshnaik (Ritesh Naik) via Twitter - 8:37 pm
Wow! Just heard Ben Olsen retired! :( I wish him well! Hopefully he can become DC United's next head coach...that'll b cool! VAMOS UNITED!!!
From elperurican (T.L.) via Twitter - 8:33 pm
Flash: "Longtime DC United, US player Ben Olsen retires" http://tinyurl.com/y9cbr8o
From NDNews0verviews (ND News) via Twitter - 8:28 pm
MLS: Citing chronic pain, Olsen calls time: Ben Olsen won almost every honor on offer in MLS over his 12-year profe... http://bit.ly/7IuF05
From OhioPremier (Ohio Premier Soccer) via Twitter - 8:26 pm
Ben Olsen retiring from professional soccer. We will miss your non-stop hustle on the field. Thanks for all the great memories.
From leftiehayes (Leftie*) via Twitter - 8:20 pm
Thanks, Ben, for a great career! RT @dcunited November 24, 2009 is 'Ben Olsen Day' by order of the Mayor of DC.
From climatezero (Gayle Sweeney) via Twitter - 8:09 pm
Olsen's splendid soccer career comes to a close: By MICHAEL BULLOCK, The Patriot-News Ben Olsen's soccer career, a ... http://bit.ly/6RIxjS
From 2010RentAHouse (2010 FIFA world cup) via Twitter - 7:53 pm
Has there ever been another MLS player to combine heart, skill, leadership, toughness, smarts and an outgoing personality like Ben Olsen?
From SoccerByIves (Ives Galarcep) via Twitter - 7:49 pm
Olsen's splendid soccer career comes to a close: By MICHAEL BULLOCK, The Patriot-News Ben Olsen's socce.. http://bit.ly/6RIxjS
From thesoccermaster (the soccer master) via Twitter - 7:41 pm
Longtime DC United, US team player Ben Olsen announces retirement - The Canadian Press - http://buzznewsroom.com/S3
From BuzzNewsroom (Buzz Newsroom) via Twitter - 7:35 pm
Just catching up on watching the Ben Olsen retirement press conference. It's a sad day.
From bdkelly (Brendan Kelly) via Twitter - 7:31 pm
Sad day for DC sports. Abe passed away and Ben Olsen retires from the winningest team in DC.
From skunkhair (Austin Alvarado) via Twitter - 7:22 pm
I am now decreeing this beard I have been cultivating to be a Ben Olsen Thank You Beard.
From mszlamo (Mike Szlamowicz) via Twitter - 7:07 pm
We will miss your leadership! Take a photographic journey through Ben Olsen's impressive career: http://twurl.nl/7454lc (via @dcunited)
From mrfochs (Matthew Fochs) via Twitter - 6:54 pm
Olsen's splendid soccer career comes to a close: By MICHAEL BULLOCK, The Patriot-News Ben Olsen's socce.. http://bit.ly/6RIxjS
From Destinedsuccess (Candice Nicholson) via Twitter - 6:54 pm
Best wishes and good luck to Ben Olsen who retired from #MLS and @dcunited today! I'll miss seeing him out there for the black and red.
From JenKasper81 (Jen B) via Twitter - 6:51 pm
| Longtime DC United, US player Ben Olsen retires --usatoday.com http://tinyurl.com/yeno9xl | CLASS PLAYER and PERSON --gringoat |
From gringoat (gringoat) via Twitter - 6:47 pm
All of MLS thanks DC United star Ben Olsen for 12 memorable years.
From thesoccerdon (Don Garber) via Twitter - 6:45 pm
wat a day of footy: Scousers out of Champs League, Ben Olsen retires from #DCU, Hamlet leaves the # C. Fire, draft tomorrow, Man Utd match.
From junior_25 (Kristina Balevska) via Twitter - 6:28 pm
I hated Ben Olsen when he was playing against my team. That just means he was outstanding at his job. Good luck in retirement. #MLS
From JustinSaysThis (Justin Brightbill) via Twitter - 6:16 pm
Ben Olsen has retired from professional soccer. Excellent player. Lots of memories. A future great coach.
From rjmera (FutbolUSA.net) via Twitter - 6:07 pm
Ben Olsen retires - http://www.dcunited.com/history-tradition/ben-olsen-retires
From Premier_Soccer (Premier Soccer) via Twitter - 6:03 pm