Olsen continues remarkable return

An investment Nottingham Forest made three years ago is paying dividends for D.C. United.

United midfielder Ben Olsen broke his ankle while on loan to the English First Division club in 2001. He has overcome setbacks and subsequent operations and was named to Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference All-Star team Monday.

Tonight, Olsen gets another look at his old team when Nottingham Forest plays United in an international exhibition at RFK Stadium.

“I will say this: It was the most memorable experience in soccer I’ve had [playing] over there,” Olsen said. “For three months, I lived soccer and I saw soccer the way it’s supposed to be experienced. It was something that I’ll never forget, and there’s no regrets even with being out a year-and-a-half. I would never take back that experience.”

Olsen, 27, instantly became a fan favorite in England. His effervescent personality and fearless runs off the flanks endeared him to the folks at City Ground. He made 18 appearances for the Reds and scored two goals before fracturing his right ankle against Barnsley in March 2001.

Until his injury, Nottingham Forest was negotiating with MLS for Olsen’s services. MLS wanted around $3.5 million, and Nottingham was offering less. Olsen’s ankle injury killed any deal.

Olsen missed all of United’s 2001 season and made his return after four operations July27, 2002, against the New England Revolution. Last year, Olsen finished second on United with 15 points — four goals and seven assists. This season, Olsen has two goals and an assist while playing various midfield roles for second-place United.

“I’m just relieved more than anything else that I’m playing again,” Olsen said. “That stuff took its toll. There were doubts if I would come back.”

Although he’s not ruling out a possible return to England, Olsen said it appears unlikely because of England’s tough rules in gaining a work permit. To be eligible for a British work permit, Olsen would need to appear in at least 75 percent of the U.S. national team’s games the next two years.

Olsen, who has yet to be called up to Bruce Arena’s national team, has earned just two caps since 2000 because of his injuries. However, if Nottingham Forest or any other English club is interested in Olsen’s services, those clubs might be able to get around the work permit issue because he already was granted one and had it extended in 2001 with Nottingham Forest.

For now, Olsen said he is content to stay in MLS while trying to regain his form.

“My game is not ready right now to move on to where I need to get before I would even think about something like that,” Olsen said.

United is 4-0-1 against English teams in friendlies, the only blemish a 1-1 draw against Leeds at RFK in 1997.

Nottingham is in early preseason mode and arrived in the District yesterday for tonight’s match, the first of a four-game U.S. tour. United is in midseason form, giving it a good shot to stay undefeated against English clubs.

Notes — United signed Nana Kwame Kuffour as a developmental player. Kuffour, originally from Agogo, Ghana, will be available tonight. … The U.S. Soccer Foundation will honor the Washington Freedom tonight when it unveils the 2003 WUSA Founder’s Cup Championship at halftime of United’s game. The Freedom will take the field at 5 p.m. to face the Nottingham Forest Ladies Football Club.