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 [...]

DC United wilts 1-0

It was a familiar picture show with DC United and the New England Revolution Wednesday night at RFK Stadium. The Revolution absorbed some moderate pressure but never really broke as United held the ball for most of the first half. United had some good chances, mainly from the outside, that they couldn’t finish, goalkeeper Matt [...]

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 [...]

United youth continue Quixotic quest against the Galaxy

Every few years DC United wins an away game with a less than star-filled squad. While Sunday’s effort in Portland might seem to be just one of those games, it may be more than a fortunate fluke blending exceptional focus and effort with a solid game plan. These guys may just do it twice in [...]

Strong second half secures DC United a 1-1 tie

Saturday’s 1-1 tie against the reigning MLS Cup Champions demonstrated how far along Coach Ben Olsen has come in molding a young team into a pattern which served him so well as he developed as a player with DC United. They are working smarter and harder as they learn more with each game. The team [...]

Olsen blends veterans with young DC United team

Josh Wolff was clearly DC United’s best player in their season opening 3-1 pasting of visiting Columbus last Saturday night. The Kansas City castoff was brought here by United coach Ben Olsen not only to score goals as he did against the Crew, but for his experience and professionalism to nurture yet another group of [...]

New style brings DC United a 3-1 win

Ben Olsen unveiled the new DC United on Saturday and it wasn’t your father’s United. While this year’s version is a logical extension of the team’s progression last year, it has one key element that deviates from past practice. At least for now, there is no creative midfielder. With the acquisition of Dax McCarty and [...]

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