Major League Soccer has announced that D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen has been named 2014 Coach of the Year. Olsen, 37, guided United to a 17-9-8 record (59 points) and the top seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. He also orchestrated the greatest single-season turnaround in MLS history, as the Black-and-Red improved by 43 points from its finish in 2013 (3-24-7, 16 points).
In 2014, United set a club record for points in a season, surpassing its previous record of 58 in 2012 and 1998. The team finished the season tied for the League lead in goals against average (1.09), including the fewest goals allowed at home (12), and second in MLS in shutouts (12). The 2014 campaign marked the 11th time D.C. United has reached the playoffs in Major League Soccer’s 19-year history, and the second under Olsen.
“To be named Coach of the Year is an organizational honor that speaks to the success of D.C. United as a whole this season,” said Olsen. “General Manager Dave Kasper set this team up for success, and the players, coaches and staff all delivered and have plenty to be proud of. I am thankful for the commitment and belief in me from the team’s ownership group - Erick Thohir, Jason Levien and Will Chang - and I am excited about the future of this great club.”
“Ben is extremely deserving to be named MLS Coach of the Year,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He has shown incredible leadership on and off the field, and his energy, commitment and intelligence provided the impetus for the team's success. We look forward to our future with Ben at the helm.”
United’s first place finish in the Eastern Conference was its first since 2007, clinching a berth in the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League. The Black-and-Red also made a perfect run through the group stage of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League, securing the top seed in next spring’s quarterfinals. Olsen’s side went 4-0-0, defeating Panamanian side Tauro FC and Jamaican side Waterhouse FC both at home and away.
Olsen, the seventh and longest tenured head coach in United’s history, becomes the club’s second head coach to win Coach of the Year honors, following Bruce Arena’s accolade in 1997. A former United captain, Olsen began his coaching career prior to the 2010 MLS campaign as an assistant before being named Interim Head Coach on Aug. 7 of that year. Olsen was hired permanently as Head Coach on Nov. 29, 2010. At 33-years-old, he was the youngest coach in Major League Soccer.
In five seasons with the Black-and-Red, Olsen has accumulated a 49-64-35 overall record.
