University of Virginia star Ben Olsen, the 1997 Soccer America Men’s Collegiate Player of the Year, as been assigned to D.C. United as the club’s first Project-40 player. Olsen will be reunited with United head coach Bruce Arena, for whom he played as a freshman at Virginia. “It’s great to have an opportunity to coach Ben again,” said Arena. “I’m looking forward to working with him and developing him into a first-class professional player.” Olsen played in 23 games for the Cavaliers this past season, scoring 19 goals and 16 assists. He started the season as a playmaking midfielder, but moved to forward for the final third of the year, as UVa advanced to the national championship match before falling to UCLA. Olsen has also been a regular member of U.S. youth national teams, debuting with the U-18s in 1993 and moving to the U-20s in 1995. He was a member of the U.S. squad at the World Youth Championship in Malaysia last summer. “We’re excited,” said D.C. United GM Kevin Payne. “We think Ben Olsen is one of the young American players with tremendous potential and we think by coming to D.C. United, he’ll have a real opportunity to realize that potential.” Under the terms of the Project-40 program, Olsen will immediately begin his pro career while receiving a grant to complete his college education. He will join D.C. early this year as the club begins preparations for the 1998 season.