Clemente Lisi spoke with Ben Olsen, who found himself in a tight spot earlier this season after D.C. United coach Curt Onalfowas fired with just three wins in 18 league games. After Olsen only a few months the coaching staff, Olsen was in the hot seat and in charge of a last-place club. Olsen, a two-time MLS champ with D.C.United remains, a crowd-pleaser as coach — despite a bad season — for his loyalty and determination over his 12-year playing career.
“When the club let Curt go, then it fell to me,” Olsensaid. “Sometimes, when you’re not getting the results you want you have to go with a change. … I am in touch with Curt. He’s a great coach. No one here puts the blame onhim. I learned a lot from him in the short time that I worked for him. It has been a trial by fire.”
As for next season, “The club has already said they will hire a new coach for nextseason. Do I want the job? Of course, I do. I will be back next season and will work with whomever they hire. I’ve learned a lot this season and want to continue to learn. I will be herenext year.”