The biggest MLS news of the day is the dismissal of Curt Onalfo, on the job for just eight months, as head coach of DC United. Taking his place on an interim basis will be United legend Ben Olsen, an assistant with the team since ending his playing career last year.
The winds of change are blowing in DC, though some United fans will tell you they're either not blowing hard enough or are blowing in the wrong direction.

So y'all know how I feel about Ben Olsen. As a MetroBulls supporter it is hard to feel anything but scorn for a man who killed us on so many occasions. But as a supporter I do respect what a player like him means to the fans. Anytime you have a guy that quite literally gives the oh-so-trite & chliche 110% every time he steps on to the field you have to worship him with out-sized tifo shrines like the one pictured above and refer to him as a "legend" as often as possible.

After three wins and only 12 goals in 18 league matches, DC United coach Curt Onalfo was fired today and replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Ben Olsen. This coming despite the fact that only two weeks ago, GM Kevin Payne said this:
Quote: "I understand fans.

By AVI CREDITOR

With a bevy of new players and a new coaching regime, D.C. United will aim to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Former DCU player and assistant, Curt Onalfo, took over for former coach Tom Soehn in the offseason and inherited a team with quite a few holes after the departure of a number of roster stalwarts.

The question "What's going on in DC?" has become a recurring one among the fan circles of Major League Soccer. It's a question that seems to be important to any fan of the game in this country. Whether it be rabidly passionate supporters from the DC, Maryland and Virginia area or just general MLS enthusiasts .

Ben Olsen looks thrilled to take over as manager, but guys like Devon McTavish should be happy about the coaching change.

The hot seat in D.C. just got too hot for Curt Onalfo as he has been released from his manager duties with United. The club announced today that Ben Olsen will take over as the interim manager with D.

Ben Olsen looks thrilled to take over as manager, but guys like Devon McTavish should be happy about the coaching change.

The hot seat in D.C. just got too hot for Curt Onalfo as he has been released from his manager duties with United. The club announced today that Ben Olsen will take over as the interim manager with D.

D.C. United president Kevin Payne and spoke with Steven Goff after the firing of head coach Curt Onalfo and the appointment of former United player and assistant coach Ben Olsen as interim head coach.
Onalfo's three-year contract will be paid off unless he takes another job and the search for a replacement has begun.

D.C. United lost their 4th consecutive match to New England, losing 1-0 and in the process setting a team record with their 13th shutout suffered.

DC United has a press conference scheduled for 1pm tomorrow, to announce Benny heart and Soul of DC United Olsen is coming out of retirement. After watching the team fall flat on their face last week in KC, Benny has decided to come out of retirement. We just need a spark to get back on the right track.

Barely nine months from his retirement, DC's newly promoted Ben Olsen leads United in his first match in charge, against the team that suffered his last MLS goal, longtime eastern conference rival, the New England Revolution in Foxboro.

Two consecutive years of playoff-less soccer doesn't abide by the high standards set by D.C. United during the league's early years.

The battle for playoff positions has only grown tougher, and the recent struggles of D.C. has led the front office to ring the changes. Out is Tom Soehn -- although by his choice, not the club's -- and in is former player Curt Onalfo, previously seen in Kansas City.

With a few notable exceptions, the story of the DC United-MetroStars/Red Bull rivalry has been one-sided. Since 1996, DC have generally curb stomped New York home and away. Michael Lewis lays out the whole ugly history at Big Apple Soccer. But, as Lewis notes, it's not just futility against DC that the Red Bulls will be fighting when they voyage inside the Beltway this weekend - they will also be trying to bury an amazing 20 game winless streak against Eastern Conference opponents away from home.

photo: Jose Argueta / isiphotos

DC United head coach, Curt Onalfo, was let go late yesterday. United is 3-12-3 with an MLS-worst 12 points. He was replaced on an interim basis by former player and current assistant coach, Ben Olsen. Injuries and dubious decisions from the front office led to his dismissal.

photo: Jose Argueta / isiphotos

DC United head coach, Curt Onalfo, was let go late yesterday. United is 3-12-3 with an MLS-worst 12 points. He was replaced on an interim basis by former player and current assistant coach, Ben Olsen. Injuries and dubious decisions from the front office led to his dismissal.

... Here ya go club legend Ben Olsen ... here is what you have always been waiting for. Here is your chance to run a big-time Major League Soccer club with lots of tradition and shiny trophies and big banners and ... 3 wins.
Come on down, Ben Olsen!! You've won an MLS head coaching gig!

With DC United mired in an epically bad season, the team fired coach Curt Onalfo and replaced him with recently retired Ben Olsen as interim coach.

DC United fired Coach Onalfo yesterday. He is being replaced on an interim basis by assistant Ben Olsen. Coach Olsen only recently retired from playing and was a fan favorite in DC.Onalfo took over in DC eight months ago bringing along friend and assistant coach Kris Kelderman with him. Onalfo also later picked up Kurt Morsink after the Wizards released him and traded for Adam Cristman from the

DC United assistant coach Ben Olsen has been named interim head coach, with the club announcing Curt Onalfo has been dismissed from the job. Onalfo, the former DC player, US National Team assistant, and Kansas City Wizards coach took over in the offseason after being fired from the Wizards on August 3rd, 2009.

Thought things couldn't get much worse for D.C. United after dropping their fourth straight game to start the 2010 season? Think again... the club announced on Monday that forward Chris Pontius and defender Dejan Jakovic will both by sidelined for at least a month with injuries picked up in their 2-0 loss to Chicago this past Saturday.

Stephen Dunn - Getty Images

6 months ago: CARSON, CA - JUNE 5: Goalkeeper Pat Onstad #18 of the Houston Dynamo reaacts after giving up the fourth goal of the game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on June 5, 2010 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Two consecutive years of playoff-less soccer doesn't abide by the high standards set by D.C. United during the league's early years.

The battle for playoff positions has only grown tougher, and the recent struggles of D.C. has led the front office to ring the changes. Out is Tom Soehn -- although by his choice, not the club's -- and in is former player Curt Onalfo, previously seen in Kansas City.

Players set to discuss World Cup & more

D.C. United players are set for a number of media appearances this week to discuss the World Cup, all things D.C. United and more. Tune in to the following shows this week to hear what the players have to say.

DC United assistant coach Ben Olsen has been named interim head coach, with the club announcing Curt Onalfo has been dismissed from the job. Onalfo, the former DC player, US National Team assistant, and Kansas City Wizards coach took over in the offseason after being fired from the Wizards on August 3rd, 2009.

Four great chapters in MLS history ended this week.
The first, of course, was the Curt Onalfo Era at DC United. The temptation to lay into the guy is nigh-irresistible, but by all accounts he's a wonderful person and this is a case of bad things happening to good people. Me, I tend to think this is Instant Karma (well, Eight Month Karma) for dismissing Kansas City as an entry-level job.

Line-ups will be posted when they are announced.

For Olsen's first match in charge D.C. will be traveling to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Revolution. United will be without Jakovic and Simms tonight and replacing two key players isn't the ideal situation for a new manager.

U.S. U-20 MNT head coach Thomas Rongen has gotten invovled in First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative. Rongen, D.C. United Interim head coach Ben Olsen and players Andy Najar and Jaime Moreno, are leading 120 players from the D.C. area in a soccer clinic on the South Lawn of The White House.

D.C. United interim coach Ben Olsen will not be considered for the full-time position because of his inexperience, club president Kevin Payne said Monday.

"I don't think he is ready," Payne said. "It's been a great learning experience for Ben and I am sure he will learn a great deal over the next couple of years.

Let me step back from my normal neutral MLS observer/blogger and enter fan mode for a few minutes. I think this is the best way to analyze the Ben Olsen hiring.

As a DC United supporter, I am ecstatic that Ben Olsen is the new head coach of the club. His resume as a DC United player is exemplary and he has been with the Black and Red through good times and bad.

Let me step back from my normal neutral MLS observer/blogger and enter fan mode for a few minutes. I think this is the best way to analyze the Ben Olsen hiring.

As a DC United supporter, I am ecstatic that Ben Olsen is the new head coach of the club. His resume as a DC United player is exemplary and he has been with the Black and Red through good times and bad.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

The offseason was one of great change for D.C. United.

A number of major personnel moves make this season a bit of a mystery for the four-time MLS Cup champions, who are hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

D.C. United announced today the club has named Ben Olsen as interim Head Coach, following the dismissal of Curt Onalfo. Photo: Martin Fernandez.

D.C. United announced today the club has named Ben Olsen as interim Head Coach, following the dismissal of Curt Onalfo. Photo: Martin Fernandez.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

D.C. United has endured a nightmare 2010 season and Curt Onalfo has paid the price for the team's disappointing results. The first-year D.C. coach has been fired and has been replaced by D.

By TRAVIS CLARK

Another packed weekend of MLS action beckons, and a change to catch a number of the new signings clubs have landed of late.

Sunday night's meeting in Bridgeview, Ill. between the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls is a chance to catch a glimpse of five Designated Players on the field at once a first for MLS.

DC United has prided itself by the style it plays. This season, United has seen a new tradition in their play. There really is no other way to say it, but CRAP. DC United has the potential for a lot more. Ben Olsen has brought in a new life to the club, but the performance the team is putting out is pathetic.

As DC United's historically dreadful season has wound itself to its merciful end, the one question I get from everyone is not whether the team will actually get better, or whether Ben Olsen will make any difference, but whether the team will be moving to a new stadium in the DC area, Baltimore, or even elsewhere.

DC interim coach, Ben Olsen, and Houston coach, Dominic Kinnear, ejected for "irresponsible" handshaking behavior

It's a disappointing day when referees choose to eject first, ask questions later. But it's a really sad day in this sport when it never crosses a referee's mind that a team might be displaying a show of respect to their opponent.

DC interim coach, Ben Olsen, and Houston coach, Dominic Kinnear, ejected for "irresponsible" handshaking behavior

It's a disappointing day when referees choose to eject first, ask questions later. But it's a really sad day in this sport when it never crosses a referee's mind that a team might be displaying a show of respect to their opponent.

As the MLS world check their passports and descend upon Toronto, the league's premier and winningest team is searching for its next manager, its third in the past three season (if you include interim Ben Olsen). The team let go of Curt Onalfo toward the end of the season and turned the reigns over to team legend Olsen.