Final DC United game summarizes season and points to next year

In DC United’s final action of the 2011 season, Josh Wolff headed a ball just off the top of the crossbar following two smart and precise passes nearly tying the conference leaders and saving some face for a side that has watched its season fade into frustrating “might have been” moments. Somehow, it was a [...]

Unimaginative play leaves DC United wanting

There are three reasons why a team may be unworthy of making the playoffs. They are a lack of talent, a lack of effort, and a lack of intelligent play. DC United has the talent, but puts out too much effort in poorly focused play. In July, there were a couple of games when the [...]

Refocused United races away to a 4-1 win

After losing a 2-0 lead on Wednesday night, Ben Olsen confessed that he didn’t know how to train his players to maintain their focus. On Saturday, it appeared that he had found the way. Granted, the spectacular hat trick from Dwayne DeRosario, which set a new MLS record at 31 minutes for earliest completion of [...]

Refocused United races away to a 4-1 win

After losing a 2-0 lead on Wednesday night, Ben Olsen confessed that he didn’t know how to train his players to maintain their focus. On Saturday, it appeared that he had found the way. Granted, the spectacular hat trick from Dwayne DeRosario, which set a new MLS record at 31 minutes for earliest completion of [...]

Ben Olsen’s growth to be tested versus Sigi Schmid’s experience

DC United’s very young coach Ben Olsen has proven that he has a strong sense of where to take his team and of how to get there. He has acquired most of the players needed to implement his vision while building the knowledge of how to teach them and blend their talents. He seems also [...]

DC United comes of age with 4-0 win

In their last two home games DC United seems to have finally matured into the complete team that Coach Ben Olsen has sought to build. With the acquisition and integration of Dwayne DeRosario, Olsen now has a broad-based attack which forces opponents to make more choices than most can handle. Whether playing as an attacking [...]

United seeks killer instinct at home

It is a soccer cliché to go for the win at home and a tie away, but not for Ben Olsen’s DC United. For whatever reason, probably a reflection of their coach’s hardnosed attitude, United’s players come out tough as visitors and have earned their superior away record. They are well aware of their own [...]

FC Dallas poses stern test of United’s overall game

Coach Ben Olsen has DC United on the right track as the team crosses over the half way point at .500 (5-5-7). As they have become more used to one another and his system, the players seem to have become comfortable with his emphasis on strong supporting play. All coaches talk a good game. The [...]

Creative spark should help United’s defense as well

Despite an eight point difference in the standings, DC United and the Philadelphia Union are two well matched clubs. Their 2-2 tie in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on April 6th at the Maryland SoccerPlex, which United won 4-2 on penalty kicks, and their split games last year point in that direction. MLS has [...]

United looks to repeat results on the road

Real Salt Lake and DC United share two major similarities, coaches who formerly played in the league and a possession style game. Saturday night’s game may see those traits play out in interesting ways. Olsen grew up in a possession oriented tradition that emphasized gritty play and dominance of midfield. Every DC United game would [...]

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LATEST NEWS HEADLINES

• Don King gets a new television deal and talks old school boxing
• Final DC United game summarizes season and points to next year
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• Unimaginative play leaves DC United wanting
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