Ben Olsen, no doubt, has lost a step or two from the days when he ran defenses ragged on the right flank. He hopes, at least, that any loss of speed has been offset with a veteran’s intelligence.
The 10-year United midfielder is a key figure in what has been a stunning season for his club — on Sunday, United won the Supporters Shield, given to the team with the most points in the regular season.
With seven goals and six assists, Olsen is having his best year points-wise, helping United to a 13-game unbeaten streak in league play.
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The 30-year-old is back at his favored position — the right flank — and obviously making the most of it.
“Now that I am in that position, the productivity is there on the scoreboard,” Olsen said.
Olsen is on target to play in his 200th league game — only Jaime Moreno (249) has played more for United — when United meets the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium on Saturday in the last game of the regular season.
“My ankle feels like it’s played 300 games,” said Olsen, who missed the whole of the 2001 season after fracturing his ankle playing for England’s Nottingham Forest.
Bad ankle and all, Olsen reckons he is playing his best soccer.
“If I was a coach and had to pick me for my team looking at all my years of playing, this is probably the year I would pick,” he said.
Olsen’s success has coincided with changes in United’s formation and the acquisition of two left-footed defenders. For the first time in many years, United consistently uses a four-man defense. For Olsen, that means he has veteran defender Bryan Namoff playing behind him. As a result, Olsen can play a more attacking style.
“I’m in a position now that I can thrive,” Olsen said. “It’s enjoyable being around the goal. It allows you to be a bit more creative. I can use my strengths at getting behind defenders on combination plays and sneaking in the back post. It’s getting back to my roots.”
Olsen says the addition of Greg Vanney and Marc Burch, both talented left-footed defenders, also has benefited his play. Playing out wide on the right, Olsen is often the recipient of passes from the left-footers.
“As I get older, I realize how to play it a little bit smarter,” Olsen said. “I used to just run up and down, and I would be productive because I was so busy. Now I have to be a little bit smarter and pick and choose my spots.”
Olsen notched the first hat trick of his career this season in a 4-2 win at home over the Red Bulls in front of his old college, club and national team coach, Bruce Arena.
Olsen is not only a presence on the field but a leader in the locker room.
“He’s the heart and soul of the team — him and Jaime,” United coach Tom Soehn said.
But Olsen says his success around the goal this season comes down to his team.
“I have a pretty impressive team,” Olsen said. “I’ve always been a product of my teams.”
Said United president Kevin Payne: “The biggest thing with Ben is not the goals and the assists but everything else he brings on the field for every game.”
Notes — United will honor Marco Etcheverry with a tribute match before the season finale against the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium on Saturday. A team including members of United’s 1997 MLS Cup team will play Hollywood United, led by actor Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”).
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