Former D.C. United coach Ben Olsen hired to lead MLS’s Houston Dynamo
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The Houston Dynamo have reached an agreement with D.C. United to hire former D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen as their new head coach, sources tell ESPN FC.
Ben Olsen has spent the last 18 years in MLS coaching, after serving as D.C. United’s interim head coach last December, and previously head coach of the Chicago Fire, Sacramento Republic and Jacksonville Armada.
He will coach his first match on Friday in Houston against the Dynamo.
Olsen’s hiring comes after former United coach Peter Nowak resigned on Monday to become technical director of the Colorado Rapids.
Olsen took over as head coach of the club in March after Nowak was fired following a 2-10-7 start to the season and eight overall-game conference play. A number of fans began to call for Olsen to return to the club, after the team finished 4-5-1 in seven games under Nowak.
“It is a dream come true to take the helm of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo,” Olsen said in a statement to the media. “When I was in junior high school, I dreamed about playing for my hometown club. I grew up in D.C., always dreamed about what it would mean to be in the top flight. And after years of coaching in the NFL and MLS, D.C. United is exactly where I want to be. I am so excited for the future with this club and my staff.”
Olsen led D.C. United to consecutive MLS Cup runners-up in 2008 and 2011 while guiding the club to the MLS Supporters’ Shield in both years. He has also served as interim head coach for the Chicago Fire after the club went winless in all of the prior 21 games.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be joining the Dynamo family,” Olsen continued.
