Insider’s Guide: Ben Olsen, Head Coach, D.C. United

On Wednesday, D.C. United skipper Ben Olsen coached the MLS All-Star Game, leading his team to a 3-2 win over European champions Chelsea FC. Last April, we asked Ben to share his favorite spots in the city. In celebration of his victory, we thought we would share his five favorites with you.

Ben Olsen has been a DC resident since 1998, the year in which he won the MLS Rookie of the Year award with D.C. United. He has won two MLS Cups playing for the Black-and-Red, and was part of the US National Team in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. At 35 years of age, Olsen is the youngest head coach in MLS history. He lives in the U Street Corridor with his wife and two young children.

Ben shares his top five.

1. El Centro: Great Mexican restaurant with a tequila bar.
2. Air and Space Museum: I was a young astronaut.
3. American Ice Bar: Good spot before or after the show at 9:30 Club.
4. Bike rides at night: DC weeknights are pretty quiet – good for taking to the streets or checking out monuments without the crowd (Find examples of great biking excursions here.)
5. U Street Café: My morning stop; great breakfast and the owner watches my son while I eat.

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