United coach Ben Olsen to lead MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea

New York, NY, United States (AHN Sports) – Major League Soccer put to rest days of speculation as to who would be put in charge of the All Stars squad in the league’s mid-summer showcase Thursday by naming D.C. United coach Ben Olsen.

Olsen has been named coach of the MLS All-Stars against Chelsea on July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, PA.

Olsen, 35, who has steered United to top of the Eastern Conference with nine wins in their first 16 matches this season, replaces former Philadelphia Union head coach Peter Nowak, originally named coach for the All-Star game against the reigning European champions Chelsea.

Nowak parted ways with the Union earlier this month.

Olsen spent majority of his professional career in the United States with D.C. United, which he joined straight out of college. He was a five-time MLS All-Star and was recognized with the league’s rookie of the year award in 1998.

Olsen has appeared in the midsummer’s marquee event twice as a player with United. He came off the bench in 1998 with the Black-and-Red and then earned a start in 1999.

Olsen also earned 37 caps while a member of the United States men’s national team. He was part of the American team that won the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Olsen also represented the United States at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Olsen, who took the over the head coaching job midway through the 2010 campaign, is in the early running as candidate for Coach of the Year following the impressive showing of United, who is on a 9-4-3 start this season.

The mid-summer showcase in July will be a homecoming for Olsen, who is a native of Harrisburg, PA.

Union interim head coach John Hackworth, who served as Nowak’s right-hand man in Philadelphia, will serve as assistant coach to Olsen.

United technical staff Chad Aston, Pat Onstad and Sonny Silooy will also serve as assistant coaches.

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