Now in his 10th year as a professional, D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen finds himself enjoying an unexpected renaissance on the international stage as he steps back into a United States uniform for Copa America, the championship of South America.
"Obviously, Bob Bradley and Peter [Nowak] have made a statement, that they're going to go with some young guys and develop them. It's probably a wise thing to do," Olsen said. "But I think they always know I'm here, and they know what I'm about, so if they ever need a guy to go in there and fill a role, they can count on me."
That's what Olsen said back in February, when his long-time acquaintance Bruce Arena stepped down after some eight years at the helm of the national team. Having squeezed onto the U.S. World Cup team as a veteran role player, it seemed that Olsen's time was past as new boss Bob Bradley called upon a younger generation of Yanks.
The former United assistant coach has surely done so with his Copa America squad, so 30-somethings Olsen, Jimmy Conrad and Kasey Keller (34, 21, and 100 international appearances, respectively) have been selected to add seasoning to a green group that otherwise has just 78 caps put together.
"Maybe he'll come back with the nickname 'Pops' or something," joked United coach Tom Soehn. "Benny's obviously a great guy to have around young guys, a very positive person who transcends professionalism. So what better guy to have on a trip with a bunch of young guys?"
Olsen's trip to Venezuela adds another chapter to a remarkable career that began when he was a promising starlet at the University of Virginia and ebbed and flowed as his rise was halted by severe ankle injuries, only to be rejuvenated by a late-career adaptation to a central midfield role that culminated in last summer's trip to Germany.
Ironically, his latest U.S. recall has been sparked by a strong run of form at his old position on the right wing -- a shift necessitated by United's move to a 4-4-2 formation with only one holding midfielder.
"I think if you watch him, I think he's been our most consistent performer for the whole season," said Soehn. "He gives you whatever he's got every game. It's only after we figured out how to use him on the flank that now he gets rewarded for the offensive part of it."
In the past Olsen often joked that the physical demands of the flank would destroy his aging legs, but he's been liberated by the support provided by an outside back - and it's shown in his attacking play. He is D.C.'s second-leading scorer with four goals.
"In a 3-5-2 you're dealing with box-to-box, straight up and down -- you've got your man and you're running with him all game," he said. "In the 4-4-2 I have [Bryan] Namoff behind me, who's been doing a great job taking my man that in a 3-5-2 I'd have to track back. ... so I can survive out there. But yeah, if I was wide right in a 3-5-2 I'd be dead."
Bradley undoubtedly found Olsen's versatility as useful as his experience, and a high-profile hat trick against his old friend Arena's New York Red Bulls might have provided the tipping point.
"I know he's honored to be a part of that Copa America squad," said club teammate Brian Carroll. "He put in a good performance against New York and it raised eyebrows, and kind of gave him that foot in the door to be called in."
As the U.S. prepared for Thursday night's imposing matchup against tournament favorites Argentina in steamy Maracaibo, Venezuela, there were signs coming out of the U.S. camp that Olsen may earn a starting berth. Whatever happens, he and club teammate Bobby Boswell will be closely watched in the RFK Stadium locker room that's been slightly more subdued in their absence.
"Ben is just loud -- joking around and causing controversy and arguments in the locker room all the time. So it's a little bit more quiet," said Carroll. "Yeah, we'll be paying attention to [Copa America] in order to give them some crap when they come back, whether they do well or not. We'll keep track of them."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
