Ben Olsen speaks at the Super Draft

Ben Olsen entered draft day with the number one pick in hand, but after fielding offers from Philadelphia, Vancouver, and Dallas, Olsen and the DCU brass opted to trade the first overall pick to the Philadelphia Union for their second overall pick and allocation money.

With the second pick, D.C. United selected Cal defender Steve Birnbaum. After the selection, Olsen spoke highly of Birnbaum saying, "I'm very excited. He's got the intangibles and he has the mental qualities to be a starter in this league. From a starting point, I've seen very few kids with the mentality and mental traits that he possesses."

With the number one pick that the Union acquired from D.C. United, they selected goal keeper Andre Blake. Olsen spoke highly of Blake as well, but stated in so many words that DCU wasn't in need of a keeper with Bill Hamid on the roster.

"He's a special goal keeper and I think he's the real thing," said Olsen. "But we don't need one (a GK) right now."

Olsen and DCU opted to trade down, acquire allocation money and go with Birnbaum instead. However, Olsen said that Birnbaum's teammate at Cal, Christian Dean, was on his radar as well. Dean would be drafted just after Birnbaum with the third overall pick by the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The trade down wasn't always certain though and Olsen wasn't sure it would go through until the last minute, saying afterwards, "There are always a lot of talks, but nothing really goes down until closer to the deadline. That's when things start to get real."

"I think the deal is a win-win for both D.C. United and Philly," said Olsen.

What else did D.C. United acquire in the trade with the Union?

"Dinner on (John) Hackworth," Olsen joked. "At one of Stephen Starr's restaurants in Philly."

First Round

Second Round