WASHINGTON ā Ben Olsen has been a party to dozens and dozens of D.C. United victories at RFK Stadium over the past decade or so,but heāll probably appreciate Sundayās 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union a good deal more than most of them.
The occasion itself, a late-summer meeting between two teams at the bottom of the standings, might pale in comparison to the man-of-the-match performances and MLS Cup wins of his playing career, but it marks Olsenās first-ever victory as a head coach and offers priceless relief to his long-suffering team.
For just the second time all year, an opposing side made the first telling mistake at RFK, as Aussie striker Danny Allsopp pounced on Danny Califfās stumble in the 22nd minute to give DC a rare early lead and from there on, just about every break went Unitedās way.
āWeāve had a lot of those moments this year that didnāt go for us, but this one worked out,ā said Olsen. āI told the guys afterwards, itās been such a long, hard season ā itās nice to be rewarded sometimes in a year that weāve had very few moments of joy, but to remember what it took. And it took 11 guys.
āWe have had games where itās been nine or 10 [guys], but in this league, unfortunately, it takes 11 guys all doing their part. I think you saw that today.ā
Philadelphia broke down DC on a number of occasions after Allsoppās opener, but were unable to capitalize before hard-working striker Pablo Hernandez victimized Philadelphia rookie Kyle Nakazawa to key Allsoppās game-clinching second in conjunction with Andy Najar, who delivered another incisive display along the DC right flank.
āIt's always hard to chase games,ā said Allsopp. ā[Scoring early] takes a bit of the pressure off. When other teams are up they recover a lot easier, and I thought it was the reverse today. We needed another goal in the second half and we got it at a good time.ā
Allsopp has often cut a frustrated figure in his first MLS season, but on Sunday he worked doggedly on both sides of the ball and was well-placed to exploit what the Union defense surrendered. Unitedās recent performances have cried out for a composed finisher in front of goal and afterwards the burly Aussie used the word which surely summed up his entire teamās outlook after their miserable midsummer slump.
āIt's just a relief,ā said Allsopp. āWe are just going to try and enjoy it for a day or two.ā
The experienced strikerās brace will likely keep him on Olsenās team sheet as the Black-and-Red prepare for an important stretch next week. United travel to California to face Chivas USA over the weekend, then host Columbus in a US Open Cup semifinal at RFK on Wednesday before meeting the Crew in league play on Sept. 4.
āNow we can breathe for a day and then get back at it,ā said Olsen. āI think these guys hopefully want some more of that.ā