I'm listening to the podcast at USSoccer.com and the interviewer just dropped an interesting stat. Of the 29 matches Ben Olsen has played in for the US, they've only lost 3! (he deflects it with his normal humility of course) His interview is the third of 3 (Reyna, Beasley) and it starts at minute 19. At the end of the interview (he's on the phone) a siren can be heard and he says "They're coming after me" Love it!
Congrats to Olsen. It's been a long journey since his days as a speedy little winger. Good to see him finally make it to the World Cup.
This is just great news. I know he will make sure that Donovan and Reyna work their butts off at training camp and I hope the situation comes up where he gets some playing time in Germany. Congrats to Ben. I still remember a game in 99 or 2000 at RFK. ben had been doing DC, National Team, and Olympic team duty. A ball went out of play and he was so tired he bent over and Mrs Go and I thought he was just going to puke on the field. Ball came back into play and somebody played a long ball down the right side and Ben took off sprinting after it. He has that something extra that has taken him to this point.
Great news! Hey worked hard this winter to earn this spot after dismal play last year. Hopefully he'll continue his improved play and get's some time in Germany.
Just ordered a white #14 Olsen USA replica jersey for me, and a blue #14 Olsen USA replica jersey for my wife. I hope they arrive in time to wear at the KC game (yes, I know he'll be in North Carolina then, but it's the thought that counts).
Ben just confirmed on Elliot in the Morning that he was told right before kickoff by Bruce on Saturday. I doubted whoever speculated that in another thread, but was obviously wrong ... again.
After he scored Saturday his smile was so big you could see it from the upper deck- something was definitely up.
Well Deserved Ben. I have appreciated your play for your entire career here at DCU. I know how hard it was to come back from the ankle injuries and surguries, so for you to get your just desserts - well its just well deserved. Congratulations BenieO and give them hell in Germany. -Signed a Fan
This is so cool for Bennie. With his injuries and the hard work he has put in, this is well deserved. I hope he grows the beard for Germany.
This should be Benny's tribute song: She asks me why...I'm just a hairy guy I'm hairy noon and night; Hair that's a fright. I'm hairy high and low, Don't ask me why; don't know! It's not for lack of bread Like the Grateful Dead; darling Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair Shining, gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen Give me down to there, hair! Shoulder length, longer (hair!) Here baby, there mama, Everywhere daddy daddy CHORUS: Hair! (hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair) Flow it, Show it; Long as God can grow it, My Hair! Let it fly in the breeze and get caught in the trees Give a home to the fleas in my hair A home for fleas, a hive for bees A nest for birds, there ain't no words For the beauty, the splendor, the wonder of my CHORUS I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy Snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty Oily, greasy, fleecy, shining Gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen Knotted, polka-dotted; Twisted, beaded, braided Powdered, flowered, and confettied Bangled, tangled, spangled and spaghettied!
Didn't have a chance to see if there was anything in the local PA papers today. Did you catch anything? I would hope that the Harrisburg Patriot would have a big write up on Ben between now and June.
http://www.pennlive.com/sports/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/114665401446270.xml&coll=1 Boy....greenbill sure is lazy.
I meant to check that because I knew it was around that time. You could tell on the radio he's still just so giddy.