After a ninth ankle operation left him only able to limp along rather than actually run, somehow D.C. United veteran Ben Olsen staved off retirement and is back wearing his black and white No. 14 jersey for his 12th MLS season.

"I think we were all kind of waiting to see what I had to offer, and personally I'm very happy with how it went," said Olsen of the 72 minutes he played in D.C.'s 2-2 draw with L.A. last Sunday, adding "I thought I held up better than probably most people expected and maybe exceeded my expectations" and owing his surprising stamina to "adrenaline and Extra Strength Tylenol."

Having played only 15 minutes all of last season, "Olsen's perseverance is both a personal triumph and immeasurable psychological boost for United," with players like defender Greg Janicki lauding the tenacious midfield workhorse as "the heart and soul of this team."

 

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