DC United News

Ben Olsen , D.C. United's gritty midfielder who overcame severe ankle injuries to resurrect his career this season, has decided to retire, several sources told the Insider.

D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen , the heart and soul of the club who has endured numerous ankle operations and medical setbacks during a standout career spanning 11 years, is mulling retirement, the Insider has learned.

In our three categories of midfielders - holding, central , and attacking - there are overlapping duties and shared responsibilities, and delineations will be arbitrary.

In the deciding match of the MLS Western Conference Semifinals, the Dynamo defeated the Sounders FC, 1-0, on aggregate, winning the second leg in extra time.

Nov. 21, 1999: Ben Olsen #14 and Jamie Moreno #9 of D.C. United hold off a challenge from Mauricio Cienfuegos #10 of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS Cup at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Davy Arnaud, Claudio Lopez Nominated for AT&T Goal of the Year; Kevin Hartman Nominated for Degree Men Save of the Year Kansas City, MO - infoZine - Three Kansas City Wizards players remain in the running for Play of the Year awards from Major League Soccer fans.

Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero was named MLS Newcomer of the Year. Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero was named MLS Newcomer of the Year Tuesday morning, beating out teammates Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg who were also nominated for the award.

D.C. United midfielder-forward Santino Quaranta , on the departure of Coach Tom Soehn : "I will always have a special place for Tommy because he helped me so much when I came back to the team.

Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride of Arlington Heights has been named a finalist for the 2009 Major League Soccer Comeback Player of the Year honor.

Tom Soehn will not return to coach D.C. United next season. He removed his name from consideration for a contract extension Tuesday while team officials were in the process of deciding whether to bring him back.

Toronto FC's goalkeeper Stefan Frei grabs the ball from Columbus Crew's Jason Garey as Garey was going for a score in the first half of their Major League Soccer match Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.

Wellington Phoenix will make a serious play to lure Brazilian midfielder, Fred, to Westpac Stadium as the A-League club's permanent marquee player.

The Wizards are playing out the string. D.C. United is hanging on by a thread. Thats the backdrop to the Wizards regular-season finale at 7:30 tonight at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

D.C. United solemnly held its final team meeting of the season Tuesday, understanding big changes could be made after the squad missed the MLS playoffs for the second consecutive year.

A late-season playoff push isn't the most opportune time to install a new player into the lineup, let alone one as important as a goalkeeper.

Claudio Lopez's penalty kick in second-half stoppage time salvaged a 2-2 tie for the Kansas City Wizards against D.C. United on Saturday night.

D.C. United needs a win at Kansas City on Saturday night and some help to qualify for the 2009 MLS Cup playoffs.

One team is in with a win, can still get there with a loss. Another needs to win or lose by two goals or fewer.

Vigorous rain, falling temperatures and a nervous audience served as a fitting backdrop for D.C. United's regular season home finale Saturday night, a setting that crystallized the club's bleak outlook in the waning days of a long, worrisome year.

But in a gritty performance against MLS's top club, United enhanced its playoff hopes with a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew before an announced crowd of 16,274 at RFK Stadium.

Luciano Emilio scored in the 17th minute on a gorgeous pass from Thabiso Khumalo and goalkeeper Steve Cronin made a flawless debut as United (9-8-12) moved into a four-way tie for eighth place with one game remaining. Only five of eight postseason berths have been secured, meaning D.C., Toronto, New England and Dallas -- all with 39 points -- as well as Chicago (42) and Colorado (40) remain in the chase.

The Crew's loping gait on its run toward a second consecutive Supporters' Shield was broken by D.C. United last night.