D.C. United's Olsen hit with injury setback

D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen has experienced another setback in his fight to overcome persistent ankle trouble.

Olsen is headed in for surgery this afternoon to repair further damage in his ankles, which is likely to keep him out for at least the next couple of weeks.

United spokesman Doug Hicks confirmed that Olsen will be undergoing surgery this afternoon, but said that the surgery is not expected to end his season.

Details about the surgery itself or the expected recovery time won't be available until after the surgery is completed, Hicks said.

The additional surgery is a setback for Olsen, who surprisingly returned to the field as a substitute in United's July 29 4-1 home victory over Los Angeles but was not available for last Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Rochester in the U.S. Open Cup.

Olsen said after the Los Angeles match that surgery was a possibility.

"It kind of came out of nowhere," Olsen told the assembled media about his appearance in that game. "I was going into surgery Monday, and thought, 'Before I go into surgery, I really want to give it a full go and see if I can't get through some of the pain.' And the pain's there, obviously. You can see the limp and certain ways I'm not able to explode fully off of [it]."

The thunderous reception he received after making his brief return will drive his return to the field, Olsen said.

"It's going to be a long road back," Olsen said after that game. "Today's a little soul break for me and saying all that ... with the fans and getting choked up with the support the fans have given me over the years I can't explain how much it meant to me. It makes me want to get better and give this organization and the fans something for sticking by me for a long time."