WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following D.C. United's 3-1 win to start the 2011 season, Coach Ben Olsen credited forward Josh Wolff, the scorer of the first goal, as his Man of the Match. Olsen also address the 33-year-old's celebration, in which he removed his shirt and jumped into the stands.
Wolffy was the player of the game. Fantastic. The way he held the ball up, he was composed. I haven't seen him play that way in a while ... He looks good for a man his age. He was entitled.
Olsen also discussed the role that Pat Onstad had in leading the team to victory..
He's a calming influence back there. He's like having a coach on the field. Actually he is.
Onstad, a long-time MLS veteran, began the season as an assistant coach under Olsen, but returned to the playing field after injuries to Steve Cronin and Bill Hamid rendered United without a proven starting goalkeeper. Onstad looks to retain to the starting job until Hamid is ready to play.
United's third overall draft pick Perry Kitchen, who happens to be 25 years younger than Onstad, also mentioned in the locker room after the game that the goalkeeper helped keep the defenders in line by "directing traffic."