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CNN Live Sunday

Interview With Ben Olsen, Former U.S. National Soccer Team Member

Aired June 09, 2002 - 17:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. national soccer team may have tipped the World Cup on its side last week by defeating heavily favored Portugal, but the Americans may face an even tougher test tomorrow, when they play co-host, South Korea, on South Korea's home turf. And joining us now with his predictions on the match and other World Cup games is Ben Olsen. He's a former member of the U.S. national team, and now plays for the D.C. United. Thanks for joining us.

BEN OLSEN, FORMER U.S. SOCCER NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER: Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: All right. So, the U.S., could it be the Cinderella team if indeed it ends up, you know, perhaps winning against South Korea tomorrow and maybe even taking this whole thing? Do you think that possibly -- I guess first steps, you know, the South Korea team. Do you think they really could beat South Korea? And then, of course, do you think they can take it all the way if they did?

OLSEN: Well, I certainly think they can beat the Koreans. It's going to be tough. You know, you're dealing with, you know, some home field advantage. You know, 70,000 Koreans yelling. Not an easy atmosphere to play in. But you know, hopefully we'll get this one and get out of the first round, and then anything can happen from there.

WHITFIELD: And does it matter at all, do you suppose, for the U.S., or does it cripple them in any way that, you know, their mid- fielder Ernie Stewart is still out injured, unable to play?

OLSEN: Well, Ernie is a big peace of the puzzle, no doubt, but, you know, all along Bruce has had confidence in his players. Whoever plays for this team tomorrow is going to step up. They have always done that, and tomorrow will be no different.

WHITFIELD: Well, it seems as a whole, you know, soccer is starting to get a little bit more attention, at least in the U.S., particularly because the Americans are now seemingly climbing the ladder with World Cup soccer. Why is this, though, in your view, that the Americans just don't seem to have the passion for World Cup soccer like the rest of the world does?

OLSEN: Well, I think that people do have the passion for it. It's not as many people that have the passion for it. It's a big country, and we have a lot of people and a lot of interests in this country. And there are a select few that really do love the sport and have the passion. So, in one sense it's great, but we can always use more support, and we're going to get it as the years go by.

WHITFIELD: The fans who are fans are passionate, but we don't have the volumes that say, you know, what American football is all about, or basketball. But for the younger generation, it does seem to be picking up quite a bit. Do you expect that -- or do you have pretty high level of expectations that the next generation of soccer players just may be able to match the kind of passion we are seeing among young people in other countries, particularly in South American nations and European nations and African nations?

OLSEN: I think so. The trends would say so as well. You know, the last 10 years, the strides soccer has made is remarkable. And you know, if we're going to keep going along that path, it's certainly going to happen. You know, my kids and their kids after that I think one day we'll get to that point where we're not only competitive, you know, top 10 or top five in the world, but we'll also have a national passion for the game.

WHITFIELD: All right. Ben Olsen of the D.C. United team, thanks very much. Appreciate it.

OLSEN: Thank you. See you.

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