D.C. United and Ben Olsen: Continuity, security and freedom

D.C. United are reportedly set to agree on a new contract extension with Ben Olsen. That continuity and security offers freedom for Olsen and his players.

It is rare that an organisation, in any walk of life, is not successful without patience, time, confidence in the process that it is implementing, and the freedom that continuity and security brings.

Bill Belichick is free to make almost decision he wants in New England because of the job security that he has there. Oftentimes, sporting franchises are ruined when those in positions of influence and power are forced to make decisions simply to save their skin. They are not looking to better the organisation. They are simply hoping to last one more day.

That uncertainty and insecurity breeds selfishness, naturally, and it frequently leads to infected organisations. Yes, people need to be held accountable to the decisions that they make. No person should have ultimate, untamed, unchecked power.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Even Belichick would have to answer to an 0-16 season, if he was to ever suffer one. But the freedom that his job security provides allows him to trade away star players in their prime and yet maintain the trust of the fans and ownership. He can make the decisions that he believes are the best for the Patriots.

All this brings me to Ben Olsen. The D.C. United manager is the second-longest serving head coach in MLS, behind only Peter Vermes at Sporting Kansas City. But contrast their relative job securities, and you would never believe that Olsen has been at D.C. for just a year less.

Olsen is reportedly set to sign a new contract with D.C. United after guiding them to a fifth playoff berth in the past eight years. The new contract will see him extended through the 2021 season, two more years to do what he pleases, within reason, with a talented team that is not far from challenging the truly elite teams of the Eastern Conference.

Last season was a turbulent one for Olsen and D.C. Starting out horribly, looking like the very worst team in MLS, some were calling for Olsen’s job, believing that he had taken this team as far as he could and that new direction was needed. Then Wayne Rooney arrived and the whole feel around the club changed.

The D.C. of the second half of the season was very different from the D.C. of the first half. Playing with verve and vibrancy, they attacked with great pace and potency — Rooney, obviously, was the instigator of much of this. Luciano Acosta turned into one of the greatest assisters in MLS, Paul Arriola blossomed out wide, and Rooney continued to roll, notching 12 goals, seven assists, a series of jaw-dropping moments. D.C. scored 60 goals in the regular season. Only once have they topped that mark, the 1999 MLS Cup-winning campaign.

But missed among all of this was the coaching job that Olsen conducted. Yes. Rooney was the catalyst, as was the opening of a true home, Audi Field in early July. But Olsen also loosened the reins on this team. He gave them the freedom to express themselves, to play with energy, unshackled from pressure and expectation. They were unfettered, and much of it was down Olsen’s coaching.

Now he is free to coach this team as he wants to. With this new contract, D.C. have now backed him financially. He has continuity, security and freedom. That makes this team very dangerous indeed.