Ben Olsen To Be Retained As D.C. United Head Coach
by Martin Shatzer on Nov 28, 2025 6:42 PM EST
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PrintIn November 2009, Ben Olsen's title with D.C. United was Midfielder. After retiring following the season, Olsen received the title of Assistant Coach in January 2010. When Curt Onalfo was dismissed, Olsen was promoted to Interim Head Coach in August 2010. And now, in November 2010, he will be named Head Coach.
Quite a 12 months.
This comes after months of Kevin Payne denying that Olsen would be considered for the permanent position because he wasn't ready.
Steven Goff said that United had interviewed at least seven candidates for the position. This really makes you wonder how many of the candidates had either declined the position, or rejected a United offer that was below market value.
I think I share the views of most United fans in saying that I have missed emotions about the decision. I have no doubt that the players will rally behind Olsen. They played much harder under Olsen the second half of the year than they did under Onalfo. But this also feels far too much like the status quo. Payne is back. Dave Kasper is back. Ben Olsen is back. The only one gone is Goalkeepers Coach Mark Simpson? WIll nobody be held accountable for the worst season in club history?
Will this work out for the best? I have no idea. But I will cheer on Ben Olsen with the same voracity that I did when he was leading the midfield.
We are Olsen's Army.
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Reality check
So is Payne just going to use Ben as the latest in a line of excuses? I like Ben and think he could be a good coach in MLS, he has the heart and passion needed (like Jason Kreis), but a turnaround for DC will require more than just a new coach and guys playing harder. I find it funny that for the second time in a year a world wide search for talent leads to someone Payne knows he doesn’t have to give up any power or control to hire, and in 7-8 months I can see him laying blame at Ben’s feet as he tries another direction.
It is a shame that the ownership in DC doesn’t get that the problem isn’t just about the coach.
by denz on Nov 28, 2025 7:20 PM EST reply actions
I think that if Payne tried to even nudge Olsen under the bus he’s insanely naive. After losing out to Caleb Porter I’d guess that the word’s out about working under him and Kasper, and there’s not much left out there for them.
On the flip side of this, Olsen had been doing some scouting at things like the ACC tournament and such (and he might have some sort of say in talent acquisitions and SuperDraft picks), so in retrospect it might not be the surprise that it should be, and may even pan out down the road. Problem is the team won’t be in DC by then.
Should be fun to watch today’s presser and Payne walking back 4 months of “he’s not going to be the next coach.”
"DON'T SAY THAT! Please! That is the worst, most stupid thing anyone could say! Cause it quite clearly isn't "only a game." I mean if it was do you honestly think I'd care this much?"
by Bald Pollack on Nov 29, 2025 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
Ben will never be a scapegoat
This has got to be the FO’s last chance. If next season flops and KP tries to blame Olsen, the fans will have none of it. Move over Toronto, we’ll show you what a walkout looks like.
Olsen’s army indeed — and ready to stand by our lion hearted leader!
by rke on Nov 28, 2025 9:07 PM EST reply actions
Vote of confidence
I think at this point the FO has to give Ben a big, big vote of confidence after undermining him through the course of the season. If he’s the guy, he has to be the guy. Maybe its the homer in me talking but I don’t see DCU as that far off from respectability. (not dominance mind you, but respectability) Settling the coaching situation could be a good start. Also regarding Simpson’s ouster, that may be part of making Ben the man on the scene, getting rid of his internal competition. Plus agree with Chest’s earlier post that the keepers have kind of sucked under him…
Now lets go get a real forward to complement Hernandez…
by Irrlicht on Nov 28, 2025 9:24 PM EST reply actions
The press conferencé
Wasn’t quite the vote of confidence you and I were hoping for.
What I wanted to hear: “We interviewed 7 candidates and Ben Olsen was our top choice.”
What I heard: “We slowly came to realize that Ben Olsen had the traits we were looking for in a head coach.”
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Nov 29, 2025 9:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I can only wish Ben the best . But he’s already got a huge mess to deal with in terms of personnel (no healthy left back, a congested midfield, no successful forwards), and I really don’t think it’s going to get much better. He’s a very smart guy, and he’ll get the most out of what he has, but it’s gonna hurt. On the other hand, he can go ahead and make the team fully his- I’m sure he was haunted by the thought that “I’ve just got these guys for a few months.” No doubt we’ll see improvement. I’m behind him and the team 100%.
by Sunspot on Nov 29, 2025 12:27 AM EST reply actions
My only hope is that the team is also behind Ben 100%
His contract is 3 years and quotes from the presser seem to indicate that United intends for him to fulfill all of it.
We may see some rebuilding in 2011 but I’m willing to be somewhat patient as long as Olsen gets the opportunity to build something of his own. The question is whether Payne feels the same way.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Nov 29, 2025 3:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hey, he actually used the word “rebuilding” in the presser, so at least I have a little more context for expectations (even if Ben said the playoffs are out of the question).
Still, if Ben was the catalyst to them pushing to get McCarty as they say, it kind of sounds like he’ll have a little say in moves, which sounds promising (at least on the surface).
"DON'T SAY THAT! Please! That is the worst, most stupid thing anyone could say! Cause it quite clearly isn't "only a game." I mean if it was do you honestly think I'd care this much?"
by Bald Pollack on Nov 29, 2025 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Benny knows MLS
There’s no doubt about that. Its great to see him involved in player acquisitions domestically (I’m sure he’ll play a key role in the SuperDraft also).
But its still going to be Dave Kasper taking those paid vacations to Argentina and Switzerland.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Nov 29, 2025 9:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Heart of the lion > Heart of a Sheep?
If we end up with another below average or outright terrible season, Kasper is gone. One cannot keep putting the blame on head coaches. DC United has had 4 head coaches and zero playoff berths in the past 3 seasons. The only clear good move Kasper has made was the signing of Najar and Hamid. Maybe McCarty if everything plays out right.
by Zach J on Nov 29, 2025 5:11 PM EST reply actions
Oh and I meant the Najar, Hamid and McCarty moves were the only good ones recently.
by Zach J on Nov 29, 2025 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
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