Anybody have an explanation as to why Ben Olsen wasn't on the squad and starting in Houston? a) Recovering from injury? b) Bruce is saving him for important games? c) Mass disillusion that he isn't a perfect fit on the right side? d) It was Frankie's farewell game? Forewarning: The following is a self induced rant. If there is a simple answer or explanation to the question posed above please disregard and my apologies for the mood. Look, despite my slightly blurred vision, I had an absolutely fabulous view of the field on Thursday and of of all the things that were obvious it was how absolutely useless Hedjuk was. Now please note that I'm not saying he played bad, I'm just saying that a traffic cone would have done just as well. Which brings me to my point... What am I missing here in regards to Ben Olsen? I know I must be missing something because there isn't a more obvious compliment to Beasley on our right side than Olsen, and if Frankie is on the right side it must mean that Ben is in a coma. The facts as I see them: 1) I've seen two DC games so far this season and in both he looked to be possibly their best player on both occasions. 2) Although not as "dangerous" as Beasley he is clearly the second best natural winger that we possess...AND he just happens to play the opposite side of the field as Beasley. 3) In the two friendlies prior to the Argentina match Olsen was probably our best player. In the Argentina match he was played IN A POSITION HE NEVER EVER PLAYED BEFORE (center mid for christsake!)and admittedly was burned by moving too far forward (a natural mistake for a winger!). I think he may have gotten a little banged up in that game as well. 4) Since the Argentina match we have had three friendlies and no Ben. So what gives? I know we've covered this ground in the past, but I thought we had all pretty much checked off on this fact. What meeting did I miss? Does it have to be etched in stone somewhere? "Beasley is on the left, Benny is on the right." This isn't a hard descision folks. There isn't any grey area here. When two of of your top 7 players just happen to be natural left and right wingers, YOU PLAY THEM ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND YOU DON"T FARK AROUND! So again, if there is simple explanation like Benny was hit by an asteroid on the way to the game, then fine, my apologies, rant over.
I think Ben needs to demonstrate to Bruce that he's recovered enough from his ankle injuries to play well consistently. I believe he played gingerly in the National Team appearances he's been in since the WC and Bruce isn't convinced he's the same Ben he used to be. And saying he was the best man out there for DC, well, that's hardly a ringing endorsement.
I don't know about that Nancy. Maybe I've been catching different games than everyone else, but from my view Ben is currently the best right sided midfielder in MLS, and he has been playing at that level since the game vs Tottenham several months ago. When did his form drop off exactly? I seemed to have missed it. Like I said, the last two DC games I saw he looked like perhaps the best player DC had.
I meant to say "was the best man for DC". Good thing I'm a mod, so I can go and correct my typos hours later. I think he's definitely one of the best on what looks like a lousy team. I'd like to see him back in the national team mix, for sure.