Ben Olsen vs. Bobby Convey

Convey??? That jackass couldn't hit an open net from 5 yards and I often thought he was a calisthenics instructor (let me show you how to do jumping jacks out on the wing) more than a soccer player.

If it weren't for the ankle Ben would have had a career in England to rival John Harkes I'm pretty sure of it. Now you can say shoulda coulda woulda but I'd take him over Convey, who in my opinion was and continues to be one of the most overrated players in US soccer history, any day any time.

 

What he said.

 

"Pissed off" is probably too strong a phrase -- right now most people are too depressed about a different topic to be pissed off about this one.

You're absolutely right that Convey had one very good year.

One.

 

I'd take Olsen over Convey, no questions asked. Even now Olsen is a more vital part of his team, bad ankles and all. I'd take Olsen after retirement. I want his fire and passion no matter what.

 

I'd take both at their prime - Convey's 2nd & 3rd yrs with us and his 2nd at Reading when they were winning promotion, before his injuries - And Olsen in his MLS Cup MVP year and later before his injuries, and 2 & 3 years ago -

Convey wasn't supposed to be a scorer - He was a workhorse in midfield - Etchy couldn't score on an open net either - Convey made no secret of his desire to go the EPL - His misfortune was that his first attempt was denied AFTER he left DC United in mid season and then had to return (injured again), and then everybody started ragging on him

Olsen wasn't as aggressive in his move to EPL but it nearly happened until his injuries - But he was out for so long that his return to the team was pretty quiet and took a long time

They both had really high workrates in midfield and had good distribution and were unselfish in their assists - I'd take either of them in their prime - Preferably both

 

My bone to pick with you is where is Bob Rigby in your list. He played for some mighty nice goal in the NASL, and I would easily think him better than Conway.

 

By "defend his picks" he means "boost his hit count because Examiner pays per impression." Yawn.

RS

 

Bobby's nice, don't get me wrong, but Olsen adds so much more to a team. Heck, even in the ill-fated 2006 world cup squad, though he only got to play half a game, he even lifted that team up when he got onfield. not enough, sadly, but he definitely made a difference....Bobby, though...sorta meh.

 

A whiner or the heartbeat of the club? Tough call.

 

A contrast to the two players:

Both had opportunities to go overseas while playing for United.

Convey mentally checked out during the process, Olsen didn't.

 

sorry dude.

Benny win this one hands down. 2 mls cups, would have had a great career in England except for the reckless tackle. still came back and chose to stay home. Heart and soul of his team, even last year he was there trying to help the team from the sidelines.

Convey decent, went overseas and after a long injury plagued 5 years came back because he had to.

Benny hands down 6 days a week and twice on sunday

 

See now, just 'cause some fool writes that Convey is better than Olsen (Olsen's from Harrisburg anyway - that's as close to DC as it is to Philly) is no reason to slag on Convey.

The guy picked DCU, held out for DCU, always played hard whether or not you agree with his style.

And he certainly did learn how to score after leaving (he did again tonight)...how would you like to be judged on what your capabilities were at 18.

But Convey a better career than Olsen? That's insane...

 

Well, Convey did find net yesterday but all I can say is that I've never had a member of the coaching staff complain after a few drinks about what a selfish player Benny Olsen is.

 

You know that's fine, Olsen will never be accused of being a selfish player. That's part of the reason I think the comparison was absurd.

But to me a larger point that comes out whenever the names of Convey, Albright, Quaranta 1.0, or Adu (and it woulda been the same for Mapp if he hadn't got shipped out) is that Olsen was almost 22 coming to DCU and by that age Convey had played 4+ seasons with DCU and left. Teenagers are f&%ing selfish...it's who they are, it's what they do, and I'm sure a teenager who is a professional athlete is generally much worse. I have teenagers, it's no secret.

As a fan, if you want to ever see the next big thing, you're gonna have to accept that - if you're a coach, you're gonna have to deal with it. You want to play without them, fine, but the flip side is that they bring energy and creatitivity and if MLS ever wants to produce top class talent they need to learn how to deal with young players and as fans we need to learn how to occasionally appreciate players who don't conform to what can be a very boring mold - the American professional soccer player.

 

I can understand how you made that choice, but I don't know if I could disagree more strongly.

Convey was a talented player who had one excellent year in England. At no point, however, have I ever gotten the impression that he would die on the field for his team. I think Olsen is the heart of this team, and along with Marco and Jaime, one of its most important players ever. It's too bad he got hurt before he could really make his mark on the international stage. I bet he would have been something.

 

See now, Geoff aunger would have died for his team, Dema would have killed for it. The list was about who's better.

And Benny is better, he's a better finisher, he's better tactically, he's a better leader on the field, and he's better with the ball. he was a better athlete, now he does it with superior technique and skill. And he's done it in the Championship as well. He's just a better player.

 

I agree. He's a more accomplished and versatile player. And he's shown more heart and grit through his career.

I should use him as my avatar..

 

Now all you need is a photo of him drinking suggestively from a water fountain, and your collection will be complete...

 

As a pretty big fan of Convey's back in the day - I wrote a big long post on Big Soccer during the Hudson years about how it was time to fire Hudson, put Etch out to pasture, and hand the #10 to Convey and see if he could earn the right to keep it - I'd have to say that if asked to make the choice today I would choose Ben Olsen 10 times out of 10.

However, and I realize you have to make a choice at this moment in time, the fact is Ben's career pretty much is what it is at this point while Convey just turns 26 in May.

When Ben was 26 he had played 2.5 good/great years for DCU, 2 years of ankle injuries where he basically didn't play, and then 1 good year in return. Who knew then what we would be saying about Ben Olsen today...

If forced to choose today between Olsen's career to date and Convey's career to date I think the choice is obvious and it's Olsen in a landslide.

Convey's still got time to prove something though and change the debate. Whether he will is up to him...

 

I bet he'd do it if I made a decent donation to Nothing but Nets.

 

...and I think my wife would buy a copy from you.

Sigh.

 

Olsen spent a few months at Forest, and he's got a better reputation with their fans than Convey does with Reading's. For a reason: he's better.