Ankle Injury Could End Olsen's Career

Midfielder Ben Olsen, one of the most popular players in D.C. United history who has been sidelined all spring with lingering ankle problems, will not return anytime soon and might be forced to retire.

Olsen, a 10-year veteran coming off his finest season, had surgery on both ankles last fall and anticipated being ready early this year. But while the right ankle has healed, the left one continues to bother him. This week, he was examined by Robert Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, and told his playing days might be over.

"They don't know how it is going to play out, they really don't," Olsen said yesterday at RFK Stadium. "They have been candid with me, which has been very nice. They said: 'Look, the percentages of you playing again are not good. There's a possibility you won't play again. So just prepare yourself for that.' "

Olsen, whose 31st birthday is today, was advised to take several months off before reassessing his situation and possibly undergoing reconstructive surgery.

"Obviously, we miss him. Everyone knows what Benny can bring," United Coach Tom Soehn said of Olsen, the team's emotional leader and one of its most visible in the community. "It's been frustrating for him as well, because all he wants to do is play. Whatever the timeline is, we'll just have to wait it out."

Speaking on behalf of the club's medical staff, spokesman Doug Hicks said the ankle has "simply not healed and we are exploring all options, conventional and experimental."

Olsen has had a history of ankle problems, most notably in early 2001, when he was on the verge of being sold by MLS to Nottingham Forest. While on an extended loan to the English club, he broke his right ankle, ending his hopes of playing overseas and forcing him to miss all of the 2001 MLS season and much of the following year.

He came back to start 73 league matches between 2003 and 2005, and was named to the 2006 U.S. World Cup squad.

The purpose of last fall's procedure was to clean out debris and alleviate pain that he had endured all year. He has been able to exercise and even kick around the ball, but has not been able to run pain-free.

After being examined by numerous doctors and trying various rehabilitation techniques, Olsen was told this week to end his comeback attempt for the time being.

"There are some cysts in there, there are some bone and cartilage issues. It's a bit of a minefield right now," said Olsen, who also has a strained ligament. "If it settles down in the next couple months, great. Am I confident that it will? No, not really. It's something we are dealing with and we are going to do everything we can in those couple months to get it right."

Olsen, who left the University of Virginia after three years to sign with United in 1998, was at the top of his game last season: a career-high seven goals, including his first hat trick; seven assists; and selection to the MLS Best XI all-league squad for the first time. He is second in club history in games played (200) and starts (182), sixth in goals (28), third in assists (48) and second in game-winning goals (13).

United has the option of putting him on a long-term injury list, and although that would open a roster slot, the team would not receive salary cap relief. Olsen is due to earn $215,000, sixth highest on the team. Soehn said the club has no immediate plans to sign another player, but might explore the possibility of adding someone this summer.

"We are hoping for the best for him," defender Marc Burch said. "We all love Ben and we love having him out there."