DC United’s Olsen announces retirement

DC United midfielder Ben Olsen has announced his retirement from the game.

The 32-year old, who appeared over 200 times for DCU and won almost 40 international caps for the US national team, made the announcement on Tuesday at RFK Stadium.

DCU general manager Dave Kasper praised the veteran and said his on-field influence would be missed.

"He has defined what United is all about, and he has set a high bar for professional soccer players in the United States," Kasper said.

"In his 12 years at D.C. United, he brought us heart, character, personality, intelligence and championships."

It is expected that Olsen will stay on in assistant coaching role when the new head coach at DCU is appointed.

Olsen was the 1998 MLS rookie of the year, MVP of the 1999 MLS Cup, a two-time all-star, a member of the Best XI in 2007 and the league's humanitarian of the year in 2003. Beyond United, Olsen was on the 2000 Olympic and 2006 World Cup squads.