Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

This week a local lad returns home for the annual MLS All Star Game against Chelsea. While no Philly area players will be taking the field against The Blues, Ben Olsen will represent the region from the sidelines. A native of Middletown, PA, Olsen’s ties to the region run deep.

In his youth, Olsen made a name for himself with FC Delco and was named Parade Magazine’s High School Player of the Year in 1993 before shipping off to play college ball for the University of Virginia. In his college career, Olsen scored 34 goals and put up 41 assists at UV. Helping to lead the Cavaliers to a 56-8-8 record in his three years there, Olsen was named the Soccer America’s Collegiate Player of the Year in 1997.

Entering MLS, Olsen would first take the field for D.C. United in 1998 as a member of Project-40, the predecessor to Generation Adidas. Impressing from the beginning, Olsen would be named the league’s Rookie of the Year. In his long and successful history with the club, Olsen would also receive MLS Cup MVP honors in 1999, and be named to the MLS Best X1 in 2007. Olsen also made 37 appearances and score six goals with the U.S. National Team between 1998 and 2007, before he ultimately retired from professional competition in 2009.

In 2010, Olsen chose to continue his affiliation with D.C. United as an assistant coach under Curt Onalfo. After a disastrous start to the season led to the firing of Onlafo, Olsen was named interim head coach and completed the season with a 3-8-1 record, enough to secure him the permanent coaching position.

With the firing of Peter Nowak, whom Olsen had himself played under at D.C., MLS officials honored the local who has since led D.C. to something of a renaissance by naming him Nowak’s replacement to lead the All-Star squad. While many of us can barely imagine an MLS without Philadelphia, as we head into the All Star Game it is nice to be reminded of the impact our locals have had over the history of the league.

Major League Soccer

Antoine Hoppenot, M/F, Philadelphia — Played 30 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to New York. Season: 9 games, 2 goals  for Philadelphia. 4 games, 1 goal for Harrisburg.

Cristhian Hernandez, M, Philadelphia —  Did not play. Season: 2 games.

Chris Albright, D, Philadelphia — In the 18, but did not play. Season: 4 games, 2 starts.

Zach Pfeffer, M, Philadelphia — Did not play. Season: 0 games.

Stephen King, M, D.C. United — Did not play. Season: 7 games, 1 start, 1 assist.

Andrew Wenger, F, Montreal — Did not play due to left hamstring strain. Season: 12 games, 3 starts, 3 goals.

Zarek Valentin, D, Montreal — Started and played 26 minutes in Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Philadelphia. Played 20 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over New England. Season: 14 games, 14 starts, 1 goal.

Jeff Parke, D, Seattle — Started and played 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with New York. Season: 17 games, 16 starts.

Mike Seamon, M, Seattle – Did not play. Season: 0 games.

Bobby Convey, M, Kansas City — Started and played 70 minutes in Saturday’s scoreless draw with New England. Played 8 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Houston. Season: 13 games, 12 starts, 1 goal, 2 assists.

Jeff Larentowicz, M, Colorado — Did not play on Saturday. Started and played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Toronto. Season: 19 games, 19 starts, 2 goals.

Bobby Warshaw, D, Dallas – Did not play due to right foot fracture. Season: 6 games, 2 starts.

Jeremiah White, M, New England — Did not play. Season: 2 games.

Bill Gaudette, GK, New York — Started and played 90 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Philadelphia, recording two saves and a shut out. Started and played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Chicago, recording his frist shut out for New York Season: 3 games, 3 starts, 5 saves, 2 goals allowed, and 2 shut outs for New York. 3 games, 3 starts, 7 saves, 4 goals allowed for Los Angeles.

Jeremy Vuolo, GK, New York — In the 18, but did not play. Season: 0 games.

Dan Gargan, D, Chicago — Started and played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to New York. Season: 18 games, 16 starts.

USL Pro

Corey Hertzog, F, Wilmington — On loan from New York, started and played 82 minutes in Friday’s 2-0 win over Dayton, providing an assist in the 3rd minute. Season: 0 games for New York. 12 games, 11 starts, 7 goals, 3 assists for Wilmington.

Jimmy McLaughlin, M, Harrisburg — On loan from Philadelphia, started and played 74 minutes in Friday’s 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. Season: 0 games for Philadelphia, 3 games, 2 starts for Harrisburg.

J.T. Noone, M, Harrisburg – Started and played 87 minutes in Friday’s 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. Started and played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Dayton. Season: 16 games, 16 starts, 2 goals, 2 assists.

Tom Brandt, D, Harrisburg – Started and played 90 minutes in Friday’s 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. Started and played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Dayton. Season: 12 games, 11 starts.

Morgan Langley, M, Harrisburg – Played 26 minutes in Friday’s 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. Played 29 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Dayton. Season: 18 games, 14 starts, 2 goals, 1 assist.

Tony Donatelli, M, Charleston – Started and played 89 minutes in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Orlando, providing an assist in the 64th minute. Season: 13 games, 11 starts, 1 goal, 2 assists.

Ryan Richter, M, Charleston – Started and played 74 minutes in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Orlando. Season: 18 games, 11 starts, 2 goals, 3 assists.

Tyler Bellamy, D, Rochester – Played 10 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Pittsburgh. Season: 8 games, 5 starts.

Drew Cost, M, Rochester – Played 14 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Pittsburgh. Season: 14 games, 1 start, 1 assist.

Jason Yeisley, D, Richmond – Started and played 90 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dayton. Season: 14 games, 13 starts, 1 goal.

Ryan Heins, M, Richmond – Started and played 65 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dayton, scoring a goal in the 11th minute. Season: 18 games, 16 starts, 2 goals, 2 assists.

NASL

Pat Hannigan, GK, San Antonio – Did not play. Season: 3 games, 6 goals allowed, 9 saves.