WASHINGTON, D.C. - Major League Soccer announced today the 14-player 'Inactive Roster' for the 2006 Sierra Mist All-Star game. The roster included two members of D.C. United - Facundo Erpen and Ben Olsen. The 2006 MLS All-Stars will face the defending Premier League champion Chelsea FC this Saturday, August 5, at TOYOTA Park - home of the Chicago Fire. The game is set to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Erpen has been head coach Peter Nowak's first option at right back all season. The 23-year-old has started every game thus far and played the second-most minutes (1,845) on the team, notching two goals and an assist. Erpen's first goal of the season earned him Week 4 Sierra Mist Goal of the Week honors, as his strike came from nearly 40 yards in D.C.'s 4-1 win over the Red Bulls on April 22. Since joining United at the end of the 2005 season, Erpen has started every game that he's been available for.
Widely considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS, Olsen has notched two goals and two assists for the Black-and-Red this season in only 10 games. The 29-year-old missed a portion of the season after he was named to the U.S. Men's National Team that competed in the 2006 World Cup. He has twice been named an All-Star, earning the honor in both the 1998 and 1999 seasons.
