D.C. United season review: Ben Olsen

Contextualizing Ben Olsen’s standing as D.C. United’s head coach coming into 2018 was fairly straightforward. A dire 2017 season, the pressure of making a good impression with a new stadium opening, and the expectations that come with United finally having some money to spend on players all combined to give most observers the feeling that this might be a “one last chance” sort of scenario. A winning team was a must, a spot in the playoffs was probably a requirement, and more compelling soccer was not much further down the list.

He wasn’t handed an easy task. Audi Field’s construction timetable meant the Black-and-Red started the year off with a very odd schedule that featured little chance…