Ben Olsen: Former DC United Coach and Player On Self Reflection
The #AskASocerPro show is a Live video podcast where 11 year MLS vet and Mental Strength Coach Quincy Amarikwa dives into the mentalities of highly successful individuals both on and off the pitch. In this weeks episode Ben Olsen discussed about Transitioning from a player to a coach, his thoughts on the game against Zlatan, best Quincy Story from DC United and more.
Time Stamps
0:00-5:13 Welcome to the 100th episode of the #AASP Show
5:14-11:35 Ben Olsen Joins the live!
11:36-18:00 Transitioning from a player to a coach!
17:37-23:11 How the MSL affects all aspects.
25:02-29:00 Ben Olsen's thoughts on the game against Zlatan.
@patmcgill
29:27-31:00 The pros and cons of being in one place for a long time.
31:01-33:08 Where is Ben Olsen going to coach next year?
33:09-37:16 What is the best Quincy Story from DC United.
@earledwardsjr
37:17-40:25 Playing during the times with no fans allowed.
41:05-43:15 Did you know that Ben Olsen is an artist?
44:50-47:13 Check out our Perfect Soccer Membership!
55:39-1:00:26 Thank you for stopping by for the special 100th episode of the #AASP Show.
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*Transcript is unedited and machine-generated. There will be errors. For further clarity please refer to the audio or video.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:00:00):
We're all here to ride the MSL waves. You've mentioned the strength lead. I'd like to welcome you to another episode of the hashtag ask eight soccer pro [inaudible]
Quincy Amarikwa (00:00:11):
George. What's going on? USF. What's happening? Shannon. What's going on? Everybody. Kendall. Welcome. Welcome. Good to see you. Look, who's here. K 29 or K 23. Hampton. What's going on, bro? How you doing? How are you doing? How you doing? How's every boat to do when? Oh man. Oh man. Not again. We are back. That is right. We are back back of gear here on. Let's see how we're uh, let you switch that anymore. All right. What up? Uh, we are back. We are back. What is up? Everybody? MSL fan page. Welcome. Welcome. Uh, George said hi from Peru. Welcome from Peru DFL. Gabe joined in Isaac, L a I F C 29. Stopping by, uh, 703 reseller guy. Good to see everybody Norb, uh, K 23 as how's America acres going. It is going well. Um, I'm enjoying it. Let me see. I'm enjoying it and having a good time with the fam bam.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:01:36):
Um, you guys know what it is? It's another episode of the hashtag ask a soccer pro show. Oh, Oh, Ooh. Episode 100. Welcome to the century club or my [inaudible] everyone. How was your break? How was the, uh, how was the hiatus? W D was it a great break from the MSL? And they asked the soccer pro show. Was it, was it, did you miss it? Did you miss me? Did you, did, did you learn something new? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you hate it? Okay. Liverpool said longest four weeks ever. Cry, cry, laughing, faces. This is up. Yeah. MSL fan page, episode 100. You guys know what it is today is a special episode. Not only cause it's episode 100, we made the century club, the century club, but also because of today's guests, I'm excited. Um, I think it'll be a fun conversation, a great dialogue.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:02:42):
Uh, today's guest will be Mr. Ben Olson, uh, former DC United head coach of what? 10 year tenure or 11 years? 11 years. 11 years. Um, uh, my, my coach obviously while I was there with DC United and uh, currently he is, I think kind of in that in-between space, but I'm sure we'll, we'll get into that and we'll have a good conversation and seeing where he's at, what life is what's like life has been like, um, kind of no longer the head coach of DC United. I mean, that's what he's been doing for over a decade now. And, uh, seeing what he's been up to you, um, what he's learned over these over this, you know, decade being a head coach in DC, um, what he learned as a player, what he's learned as a leader, what he's learned from just his personal experiences, uh, you know, we'll see where we go.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:03:45):
W we'll we'll ride the MSL wave together. Everybody so mean I'm excited for, uh, for him to join in. I think, uh, he was figuring out how to, how to operate Instagram and Instagram live. So once he gets that dialed in we'll we'll get him, uh, we'll get him tuned in here, but while we're waiting on that, what's what's new or what's old. What's been going on MSL shouldn't drop ride the wave. We'll welcome. Nice to see you, Danny. Welcome. Um, uh, K 23 said it's been good. I have trials for a semipro team and hopefully we'll hear back from them this week and been working on fitness, soccer and weights. Nice, nice, nice, nice. Um, what's what's gotten easier about your process, your process so far. Um, kendall.cox.soccer said just grinding and having fun. Uh, what have you found to be most fun while grinding? Uh, let's see what we got here. Oh, we got paused. Okay, cool. Uh, Ben had sent me a message saying he's in. I didn't see him join in on the other stuff, Joe Jackson, what's going on. Welcome. Welcome. Um, Oh, he requests
Quincy Amarikwa (00:05:05):
My bad. Sorry about that, Ben. Uh, so we'll get him loaded in here. Everybody's you guys got any questions? Drop them down below. I'm sure we'll have a good conversation. We'll get to some questions as they come in. What's going on brother or are you concerned? How are you? I'm surviving, man. I'm sorry. Every time I do one of these, it's a circus to get on. I'm always the guy saying, help me get me on this thing. It's all good. And I didn't even, I didn't see that you came in, it was in incognito, but you figured it out. You're looking good. You've been working out a lot or what's going on, man? Yes. Yes. I, I, I live like a, like a junior running back, uh, junior high school running back right now. And uh, you know, it's, I got a little bit extra time on my hands to, to work out and, you know, prep the mind, but also prep the body. And I got plenty of time to work out. I've been down here in Florida, hanging out with the family for about a month actually. And, uh, staying out of DC, the, the weather and, uh, a little bit of that chaos right now that, uh, it's, it's, it's good to be down South.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:06:14):
That's good. That's good. So, uh, how's the sun been down there? Is it, is it still hot in Florida? Right.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:06:20):
You know, seventies, but it's nice. It's nice. And, uh, uh, it's a, it's a good place for me to be right now, I think in my space. Uh, but w we'll get into that. Um, congratulations a hundred. That's pretty cool, man. Uh, you must be very proud. And, uh, do, do you have a, do you have a show that sticks out? Do you have a number one favorite show of over a hundred?
Quincy Amarikwa (00:06:44):
Ooh, that's a good question. No, I wouldn't say like anyone, I wouldn't say any one particular, um, I'd just say like the whole process as a whole, just like we talked about a lot here, just riding the MSL wave, like just going with the flow. Sometimes there's ebbs and flows, you know, um, talking to different people at different points in their career has been pretty cool. And then I think my favorite I'd say my favorite episodes would be like, kind of the early ones where I'm just kind of riffing and ranting trying to figure it out, you know? Cause you're, you're basically just talking into the ether, just sharing ideas, just being vulnerable. And you don't know if any of it's going to stick or not. And then you start to figure, you know, you start to figure out an idea of what you want to do. And, and here we are a hundred episodes later, which is, which is nuts. How long,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:07:37):
How long was that period of two years?
Quincy Amarikwa (00:07:39):
About two years. Yeah. Um, cause I mean, I'm sure we'll talk about it. Like the, the, x Right. And I think what I didn't know at the time when starting the show is it was, it was giving me something that was within my control. Right. We just claimed Thursday 6:00 PM, PST 9:00 PM EST. I said, no matter if I'm with a team without a team on the road playing in, like wherever, like I'm showing, this is the show. And I think because of making that decision, it allowed me to kind of reel in all the ideas and the thoughts and, you know, the experiences you have and, and force you to tighten it up because not everybody's got their own life, they got their things that they've got going on. They've got their own problems. There's a, you know what I mean? And it's, it's like, attention's very hard to come by. So yeah, that's, that would be kind of my thoughts on the experience.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:08:39):
I know that I used to coach, I used to have meetings where get it down. Yeah. Well I, the three to five minutes. Well,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:08:48):
The problem with the three to five minutes mantra is like, you're, you're trying to tell someone to, and I understand it as well too, but you're, you're trying to tell somebody to define who they are into a bite sized chunk where someone can process it and be okay with it and accepted in the moment. I think the thing was difficult with me over the course of my career is I'm just like, okay, I know what you might've thought me to be before I showed up, or I, I understand you have an idea of who I am, but like telling me to define who I am and just a short amount of time. And it has to be aligned with what you already think of me. I felt was just very restrictive and I didn't, I just didn't like it over my, of course my career. I just, I have never liked.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:09:32):
Yeah. And I never, my three to five minute role was never with individuals. That was always whatever it took, right. When it came to individuals and sitting down with them and, you know, we've had ones that were what, 45 minutes to an hour. And, you know, I've had others with people that, you know, take three minutes or five minutes and then some do take 45 and they go there. But when you're, when you have the team collectively, uh, you know, as, as my time went as a manager, we tried to streamline it, uh, as much as possible do more meetings, but more specific in what that meeting was about. Uh, early in my career, I would have hour long meeting or 45 minute meetings about everything. And meanwhile, you know, it took me a few years, realize that, well, they switched off about six minutes in. So that whole part of the meeting was lost. Um, but we live in LA.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:10:35):
No, I like that. And, uh, it's the way you operate in the things you do is based on like your own personal experience. Right. And, and catching people at different moments in time. And, and, um, and trying to learn from it and understand, I think is what I've spent a lot of my time, like focused on. And, and I think what I was missing, especially for a long duration of time was under, was coming to the understanding that not everybody is as curious as me, you know? And what does that mean? And like, how can you fair? What's a fair amount of curiosity, you know? And like, that was something that alluded me for a long time. And, um, you know, I, I got it. I figured it out eventually, but I think the one thing that is that it's, that's true is everything takes time. You know? So like speaking of time, you spend a long time in the DCU, in the DC United system, right. Um, as a player and then transitioned into a coach, um, I'm not sure how familiar the audience might be with kind of your transition, but you, you weren't expecting to be a head coach, right. That kind of just happened. And then you jumped in and now that turned into over a decades long, um, experience. So like maybe kind of walk us through, like,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:11:56):
I was just writing about that, the difference between my playing foundation and the first few years that I had as a player to develop in the pro ranks compared to jumping into the deep end, uh, as a coach, uh, uh, it was a big difference. And I spent the first, um, uh, you know, uh, for those don't know the story, uh, I got banged up a bunch of injuries and surgeries as a player, a little bit forced in the retirement for, for the better ankles. Weren't great limping around. And, uh, they gave me an assistant coach and curtain also basically was handed me, uh, saying, listen, you got to bring this guy along as assistant coach. Fortunately I knew Kurt and he was okay with it. Uh, and unfortunately for Kurt, they fired him six months into, um, the job. And they gave me the interim tag.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:12:46):
I had, I didn't want to be a coach. I didn't even want to be go into that work, but I just didn't have a job. And I needed something. I said, I'll check out this whole coaching gig. Uh, so as the assistant, then I found myself six, um, six months later being the interim coach with players. I just finished with a few months earlier. And it was a very tough time for me. And, uh, by the end of the season, they ended up giving me the job I went in. I wanted it, my ego was there and I can do this, you know, uh, the president gimme, gimme the gig. I can do this. And, uh, ultimately they, they gave it to me and I spent a good three, four years really figuring out who I was as a leader. And, uh, it was hard.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:13:27):
It was very, very difficult to, um, deal with all the layers of management and, uh, also keep my own emotions in check. Uh, and, uh, but, uh, so I took some punches and I survived and survived and, uh, you know, again just, uh, kept kind of grind. You know, my, my, I was lucky enough through circumstance to be coaching for over 10 years. Some of that was luck. Some that against circumstances, I never really had two bad years in a row, which is a good thing for a coach. If you have a bad year and you don't get fired, you better have a good year the next year. And that was a little bit of my cycle and, uh, low expectations at times. So all that plays into it.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:14:14):
No, that's interesting. Like I think having the time to figure, figure it out is obviously something rare in the professional sports world, right? Like, um, like you said, kind of luck and circumstances and expectations that kind of all kind of came together to create that, that perfect storm for you to, to have to have the time you were needing to kind of figure that out. Right. So I know you said you, you struggled with, uh, a lot of stuff just on the substance side while playing, right. How, how did you find the balance of that as a, as a player, or sorry, as a coach, knowing the complexities of like the stories of the guys you were just playing with, right. Like now it's now you're dictating their futures, their families.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:15:05):
I ended up getting rid of most of them, that's the harsh reality of it. And, uh, you know, over the next year or two, and I had to make some really, really difficult decisions with friends and, you know, Santina Carranza comes up, uh, to, to my, one of my favorite people in this world, uh, and you know, making decisions on, on players that I was at their weddings and, um, had partied with. And, you know, you know, they, they knew dark stuff about me. I knew everything about them. And now all of a sudden I'm in the locker room and, um, um, uh, you know, kind of, uh, their, their boss, so to speak. And so that, again, that was, that was part of the difficulty cause I'm, um, I'm an emotional guy and I'm a connector. And I, I love players. I loved that was one of the, the relationships with players was one of the greatest things, but it's also one of the most taxing for me because I was invested in that.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:16:02):
And when that wasn't going well, that really took its toll on me. Uh, as a, as a coach and then early, I was also trying to do everything else, Quincy, I was trying to prove everyone that I could do game plans and do training sessions and manage up and manage down. And I was trying to do everything and it was just exhausting. Uh, so little by little, I figured out, you know, and this is what I tell people. What do you learn about leadership and coaching? What I always say, I don't have a lot of answers. Um, but what I do know is it's, it's vital that you know, yourself and you through every, whether it's asking people about yourself or taking, um, uh, management, uh, what are these things that come back feedback that comes, comes back and tells you who you are. And, uh, you know, you better figure out who you are and what you need to surround yourself with.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:16:58):
And I was in a lucky position as, from a leader where I could hand pick at some point what was around me, not a lot of leaders can do that. They're on their own and they're doing their own thing and they have to maybe fix their deficiencies. I could hide some of my deficiencies with, with humans. Hey, I need this guy. I need that guy. I need you. And that really helped me cause I have some really good qualities too. And so I could stick to my qualities of what, what I was good at and kind of, um, supplement with, with, with other people.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:17:33):
Oh, I, uh, I like that. It's a good way to like kind of break it down. Uh, like, so our shows, you know, the MSL, the mental strength league, uh, breaking down mentalities approaches so that they're easily understood. And it's kind of, cross-platform, it's not just soccer brings us, but you know, we're all humans, we all have our ups or downs, our deficiencies. We look for ways to supplement that can be with humans that could be in, you know, dive deep dive research, self-reflection meditation or just denial, you know? So like these are all parts of the process for all of us. And I think it's, uh, it's really, it's really cool to see, uh, you being vulnerable and open and willing to share those experiences, those deficiencies, you know, uh, because when, when, when people are, you know, when, when people are, want to say outside, looking in, everyone assumes that there's nothing wrong with us. Right? Like we we've got it all figured out. Everything's perfect. Uh, often everything's going according to plan. Uh, but w what I've noticed is like, at the professional level, it's people figure out how to make the plan on the fly, right? How do we build the, how do we build the plane while it's falling out of the sky? You know,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:18:44):
You, you have no choice. You can have, the perfect plan is coaching. You, you know, a lot of leadership, right. And it's still about showing up every day and problem solving and adapting and making the best of that day and figuring out the best solution it's, uh, injuries happen, suspensions happen, uh, you know, a player gets COVID and, you know, you, you can't train for two weeks. It's just, uh, you know, the, these, uh, I laugh, sometimes I read, I read some leadership books and I usually don't get through the whole thing. I, you know, after halfway, I'm just, uh, everybody's got it all figured out, you know, listen, I take a lot of it, you know, I try and read them, cause there's, there's always these snippets. So like, wow, that's really good. Um, but on the day to day, it's, uh, yeah, you're adapting and you're problem solving.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:19:38):
And, uh, you know, it's been, it's been a fun time to, to, to reflect for me. And you, you're mentioning self-reflection when you, when you play for 10 years and then you coach for 10 years, uh, you're, you're pretty focused in, uh, you know, when you're a player you're selfish and you're, you're playing and you're doing whatever you do, and then your coach, and you're so consumed with winning games. And, uh, there's just so much to do. You can't look back. I, I couldn't, I couldn't find any time, uh, even in the off season, it was very, very difficult to reflect. And maybe you could reflect a little bit on the season itself, but it was always okay, what's next? What's the next practice? What do we need to do? What's the next game? How do we win this game? Um, who do I have to deal with off season?
Quincy Amarikwa (00:20:31):
How do I build the next team? How do we replace it? Or so it was this always this, and it was never looking back. So this, this time has been really good for me to, uh, the last couple of months, uh, to, to reflect on those 20 years, both as a player and appreciate a lot, these stories and times that I went through, uh, and also, uh, learn a little bit, or kind of just, again, reflect on what I did, right. What I did wrong, what I could did better. Uh, and I find myself, uh, I'm a little tough on myself. I'm finding as I'm writing some of this down in a, uh, in a therapeutic way. So it's, uh, it's been a really neat time. So you're catching me at a good time, Quincy of a very vulnerable time.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:21:15):
Well, that's good. No, that's good. That's good, man. Uh, well, okay. Well, speaking of that, right? Like, so you're, uh, you're, you're writing. So are you writing a memoir? Is this more like, and you've mentioned it's therapeutic, is this something that you're, it's just solely for you and that's the plan, or have you started having thoughts of maybe, uh, publishing it and, and, you know, is it, is
Quincy Amarikwa (00:21:38):
If it's worth it. W w when I go through it again, you know, right now it's just going through, uh, me growing up and, and how this happened, how I got to be a professional soccer player from a small town in Middletown, Pennsylvania, where it was all about football, basketball, and wrestling. And somehow I found this little niche to play soccer and, uh, played at one club for my entire career, uh, as a, as a player, and then turn around and be the coach for 11 years. It's, it's a little bit on herb and it doesn't happen a lot. And, um, so I'm going through it all. And, uh, my memories, I don't have the greatest memory. So I find myself on Wikipedia all the time, trying to figure out, like, what, what was, what happened in 2007 and who was on that team? And so it's, it's just such a blur, and this has been a good time reflect. And if it is worthy in the end of, um, you know, helping others in a leadership role, or, or simply just entertaining, right. If it's just something to laugh at and, and, uh, or, you know, uh, produce a little bit of emotion and, and maybe some leadership parts in it, it's all we'll see. We'll see.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:22:54):
Well, that's good. I mean, well, maybe we'll have to we'll we'll I know we'll, uh, keep tabs on it. I know the perfect soccer community is definitely going to be waiting for that. Maybe some sneak preview or sneak pre content we're already getting, we're getting a little bit of a sneak peek of it right now. Right. It's in development. It's in the idea stage, right. Okay. Uh, let's let's see what we got a little bit here in the, uh, in the comments section, you got a lot of people here, uh, saying some great stuff. Uh, Kenny Cooper, what's going on, man. He dropped in yes.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:23:24):
Birch on there too. My man, Mark Birch. One of my favorites
Quincy Amarikwa (00:23:29):
Is that Mark Burt Birch eight said loved playing with a love playing with, and for Ben also getting to know him as a human. Right. Um, let's see, uh, other, so, uh, McNasty had said it's, uh, it's getting you struggle is real, um, ghost world 32 said two of my favorites. Let's see what we got here. Uh, John Hollinger a, some legends are on a Timmy pig. 14 said MSL can be applied to many aspects of life. It's wonderful. Uh, let's see, we got here, uh, uh, George dropping the MSL army. Oh man, you got a bunch of people here. Uh, then a lot of people happy to see you, man. And I'm like, Oh, I'd buy in, uh, Ben Olson. Memoir. Let's go. So Rory Rory's.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:24:24):
Yeah. I'm sure Roy would buy one fast pass would be over for a free one.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:24:31):
Yeah. As long as he has a couple of good stories for you to add to it,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:24:36):
He's gonna make, he's gonna make the book. If he's not careful.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:24:41):
Uh, E L a E L O C eight said sold Ben Olson. A t-shirt at J crew in DC before.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:24:48):
Once I remember that I was, I was on my way to the game. I didn't have, I didn't have an outfit. So I stopped by J crew real quick and grabbed the t-shirt.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:24:54):
There you go. Look at that lasting impression on, uh, on, Oh, who's okay. Uh, okay. Pat, McGill's asking, Hey, refresh our memories about this LaDawn game. So you're getting a bunch of questions here about the LA galaxy game last year. Um, and, and your thoughts on that game and how that went, um, how that played out for you kind of at that time,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:25:20):
I always your game. That was, that was your show that wasn't my show. Tell us about that game.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:25:26):
Well, um, the guy, the, the, the fans are asking you, right. They're saying, Hey, from the coaching perspective, what was that game like? Uh, so you've got multiple people in here asking about, about that. And it's funny, cause I was just an interview yesterday and they they'd asked me the same thing. So, uh, people want,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:25:44):
Yeah, I, I, again, my memory, I, I remember, I don't remember a lot about it. The, the, the, uh, emotionally, I just remember, I mean, he's such an imposing figure, right? I mean, he, he, uh, I remember YouTube going at it. Um, I remember the group we put out there was, we had this chat, it was a, a, uh, we had some starters out, right. Some quote, unquote starters out, uh, and some injuries. And, uh, we had, we put out, uh, a gritty team and I think we, we just grinded. I mean, I think we just, uh, or were pretty mentally tough on the day we defended well, uh, they had their looks, uh, it, to me, it was a typical in some ways, uh, uh, a stereotypical DC and game over the last 10 years where, you know, uh, we were out shot, probably all possessed.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:26:51):
And in some ways they had a little bit more talent, whatever that means. Um, and, uh, we were under the times, but, uh, we, we, we were tough. We were tough. We defend the box and, and, uh, and, and people, people talk about that though, the way we played in a, um, that it's so rudimentary. And, uh, but there's an art to it. There's an art to defending and grinding and defending the box. It's not just sit back and, uh, fight it's, it's spelled out and it's not, it's not for everybody, but even as a young kid, I I'd love defending. I, I love defending from day one basketball. It was like, put me on the best guy. You know, I loved defensive drills in, in soccer. And, and, and again, mostly basketball was where I got a lot of my, my defensive shape from, but I used to love taking charges and getting steals.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:27:48):
I love that. I love getting a steal and passing more than I did scoring. It was just always a thing. So I love those types of games where it's 15 shots, the four, and we went, I do remember you, you, uh, you know, really him off. And you know, that was a game where you really got under his skin. I mean, I've seen many a games where you get under people's skin, but, uh, that one, that one could have been a fight. That one, that one could have been a full fist fight at some point.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:20):
Well, that would have been great. We're well, we're still trying to get that. We're trying to get that five on the books. I'm thinking of David versus Goliath. You know,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:28):
It'd be great if you guys would do that, get the gloves out, raise some money.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:32):
Hey, if you, if you've got connections, go ahead. Let's do it right. He said he was the MLS. I'm the MSL. You, we can do it. You know,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:41):
MLS, karate, he's long, man.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:44):
This just makes the odds better. You know, people get money off of this thing. We're going to raise a lot of money once this gets done, man.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:52):
Oh man. I bet I'll buy a ticket. Okay.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:28:54):
Hey, if that's the first ticket sold, we're, I'm all about it. Uh, uh, JC, uh, F R O M R VA had said, going to miss you band, been watching you play since I was 10 years old. I'm 31 years old now.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:29:07):
Wow. Makes me feel old. Thank you. Wow. I, you know, I was, I was in the area too. I was at UVA. So a lot of local DMV people, um, you know, it's, it's nice to hear that those ties, because even at UVA, I, there was a lot of people traveling from DC and Maryland to, to watch and support us.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:29:27):
Well, that's dope. I mean, yeah, obviously you, you know, my career, I've been in a lot of clubs and organizations all over the place, like being in one place for such a long period of time. I haven't had, I haven't had the luxury of doing that. Right. But like, that's pretty cool. Cause you're just, you can see things grow from like 10 years old to 31. That's amazing. You know what I mean? Like that's, yeah,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:29:50):
It is amazing. And it is there, there's all these, there's all these wonderful things about it, but there's also so many wonderful things that, that I missed in getting traded and all these experience of new teammates and challenging myself in a different way in a new environment. And, uh, there there's, there's a lot to the other, other side is this was just kind of my pathway. I was lucky enough to shoot off to England for a little bit, uh, to break kind of that DC United up and, and get a little European soccer look, uh, in there for, for a few months, uh, ended up breaking my ankle and coming back and kind of derailed my career in, in a lot of ways. But, uh, that was a nice break, but yeah, it was, again, I feel super, super fortunate and humbled that I was able to stick around for one club. Uh, that'll be, it's a, it's a special place that I'll have for the rest of my life and still support. Even if I go coach somewhere else or, uh, do something in a, in another city, you know, 20 something years is, uh, you know, that that's deep, that's deep love.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:30:58):
No, it is. And I, I liked that little, that slip right there. If it's coaching somewhere else, is that make it maybe in the, in the works, you got Kevin in here saying, Hey, what's going on, coach? Uh,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:31:10):
Here's, here's what it is right now. And I talked about exhaling a little in, um, I've exhale, you know, and I'm starting to feel a little bit fancy again about what's next and that's, that's normal, but, um, uh, a little bit of this is letting the universe speak to me, you know, not to be too heady about it at, I need to, um, you know, look at opportunities of course, as there will be. And, uh, but I, I've gotta, I gotta make sure that's what I want to do and I'm ready to go again. And, you know, sometimes it's too soon, uh, sometimes you want to jump back in there and you haven't maybe reflected and, and on, on what's next. And, um, but if, if I do, I'll be ready and, uh, it'll be, uh, it'll be a little bit different and still be me. And just the qualities that I have that I possess, but, you know, there, there's, there's definitely an evolution to, to me as a, as a leader and a coach. And, uh, maybe that's, maybe that is the next phase, but maybe I do something different. I'm not sure, again, the universal tell me in the next
Quincy Amarikwa (00:32:18):
Couple months. No, I follow you. That's a, that's a very, like, that's a very Pablo Masterdoni ask restaurants,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:32:25):
Maybe hours being,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:32:29):
Cause I know he, you know, he, he, he jumped from player into coaching. What was that? Maybe two years or so, and then kind of took that break and then I think it's sound very similar with you in terms of, you know, got away from it. Self-reflected and then kind of when, when soccer's that big a part of your life for so long, even if you're completely at fed up with it and over it and done, it's like you said, the universe is going to be calling you back and it's, it's figuring out how you want to come back in with all the experience and knowledge and stuff that you have. So, yeah, man, I'm looking forward to see where you ended up next on that side. Um, let's see, we got here. Okay. Earl. Okay. Earl, uh, Earl Edwards Jr.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:33:14):
Earl Edwards too. Yes. Yes.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:33:18):
For those who don't know, cause they've been following Earl for a while now. Um, just, just recently signed with new England revolution, um, but was with us while we were at, uh, DC as well to you. Um, he said best, uh, best Quincy story from when he played for you. Wink, wink face. Good to see you guys, uh, fist pump. So yeah, that's a good one. I like that. What's the best, best story. Good. Bad. Doesn't matter. Like
Quincy Amarikwa (00:33:48):
I dunno, that's a good, that's a good, uh, that's Quincy story. I don't know, man. I, you know,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:33:55):
Or one that sticks out to you, it could be anything, it could have been something,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:34:01):
What
Quincy Amarikwa (00:34:03):
It was, it was mostly trainings that I, I remember. And, and, you know, you would have certain days where it was, it was you and your team against the world and you were gonna, you know, and your team was probably gonna win and you just ran around like a lunatic fighting and winning and competing in, in people's faces, uh, and you know, making the training a really high level competitive, uh, session where we all kind of got that. And you know, you always, you know, those sessions were always as a coach. I'll I'll. Okay. Quincy, just on the edge, like, you know, he's just on the edge and here comes a fight, you know, whether it's someone fed up and uh, but again, you need that, right. You need that edge and you, and that's one of your greatest qualities of, of you April, you were able to summon that very quickly.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:34:56):
Right? And, and, uh, when, when you understood that it was the right time for the group, uh, it was very, very effective to, to bring that, um, some of the best teams that I've been on the most successful teams, uh, the trainings were harder than the games. It was just like you had so many, uh, guys that were, uh, refused the loops all around the field, that the trainings were, you know, ruthless, ruthless, and the, you know, it's no coincidence that those types of teams, when it comes down to the season and stuff, those are the teams that have the champions and those, that type of character, you know, character, competitiveness and talent. It's just, you know, when you can find that kind of trifecta, uh, with a team it's, it's special, I've had a few of them with that. And, uh, but yeah, you're, you're those days where you were just on the edge, just on the edge, which made me just, which made me just on the edge. Yes. There you go. Gotta
Quincy Amarikwa (00:36:00):
Keep, Hey, I gotta keep you on your
Quincy Amarikwa (00:36:02):
Toes. That's all I needed.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:36:05):
Well, I guess I, I like, I love co competition, you know what I mean? Even in training every single day, you know, like the objective is to win and figure out how to win and, uh, but also figure out how to win without losing in the long run. So we talk a lot about here about having a long-term winners mindset, right. And, um, figuring out how to learn where you're at, but also not burn your bridges or your opportunities in the future, you know, and that can be very difficult to, to find the balance of when you're trying to figure out who you are, where you want to be, where you want to go. And, uh, a lot of, you know, a lot of the followers of the account, uh, come from many different angles and backgrounds. You know, we've got, uh, kids joining as young as seven and, and moms and parents and grandparents all the way up to 70 years old. And I think it's, it's sharing those experiences that are very valuable to everybody because even seeing down here, Kendall Cox said, coach Ben, thank you for the honesty. I just became a huge fan, um, here in, uh, best, best experience. Um, I've, uh, I've been a part of, uh, MSL fan page said, miss you at D C Ben. First game I went to was the game at RFK versus Columbus where Louis Neil sent us to the place.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:37:26):
Yeah, that was a big moment. That was a big moment. I was kind of my, one of my first, my first playoff, uh, one of my first post seasons as a coach. Good player, great player. Uh, yeah, we listen to the experiences that I've had. And again, looking back, I mean, hundreds and hundreds of players that I've been able to have a relationship with. Uh, in fact, some of the ones that I have the most trouble with, uh, during that time, I ended up, you know, having a bigger connection with after it's all done because in some ways maybe they would like me a little bit and you know, some of some of that stuff, but it's, um, I, I began very, very lucky, uh, so many great experiences. RFK was a rundown beat up old, you know, beautiful dog man. And, and I loved every moment of being on that field.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:38:21):
It fit me as a player and, uh, it was sad to see it go, but Audi, field's great. And it's starting to have a, um, uh, an essence to it. It's starting to have its own culture and, and, um, history, which is really neat. Uh, the, the, the game versus I think it was a shootout in Columbus, uh, versus Columbus and the playoffs a few years back, that was when I first realized like, okay, this field has something to it now. Uh, but the first year it was hard. It was, it just didn't have a soul. And you, you, you just time, right. You break in a new pair of jeans. It takes time for those things to get comfy. You know what I mean? And, and Audi field is, is fortunately at a, at a spot now. And hopefully soon, soon we can get, uh, the fans back in that building, because one of the things that towards the end of, uh, last year at first, it was the no fan thing was they had no fans or no, no fans, it's a disaster.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:39:28):
It's a disaster started to, you know, it was, it just not how sports should be played. Uh, we, you know, hopefully soon we're going to have people back in the stands because it just, you know, it adds another layer as a manager to motivate and, and to bring that energy all the time too, because if you know a lot of players and you were one of them and I was one of them, we fed off the crowd, you show off and, you know, you, might've been a little extra tired. You can, you can summon that. You can summon that extra. And, and, you know, when the light lay a little bit better, and then, um, it's so you got to self-motivate. So it just adds another tricky layer for a manager, I think.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:40:10):
No, I agree. I mean, I got a bit of it there towards the end of the end of the season with the Las Vegas lights, and yet to your point, hopefully, hopefully things can get back to normal, but, uh, yeah, man, look, so look, the coincidence also learned, right? When is a good time is to, to end things, right. I think, you know what I'm saying? I can, I can keep you going and we can keep going for another hour or two hours. You know what I mean? But I think this is, uh, this has been very insightful. I think everyone is, uh, really enjoyed the time. I know I have, I appreciate the time that you've, you know, you've, uh, spent here and, and how open you've been with stuff. And I, I definitely would like to, uh, I'd like to plant the seed right now about, uh, having you back on some time again in the future. Maybe once you figured out what it is you wanting to do, uh, maybe you're going to become a full-time painter. I know that you, you really are into art and stuff.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:41:10):
Yeah. Listen, man, I, it's a big part of my life at this point. And, uh, I know people kinda like, yeah, you, you paint like, uh, it's a big part in their life and, and it's, uh, it will be for the rest of my life and I love it. And you know, some coaches golf and some fishing I paint and I love it. It it's, it's, uh, to talk about getting better and having a, and, and showing growth. Um, you know, it's been fun to see that in a different Avenue that, uh, is not been soccer. And, uh, so it's, uh, I miss it. I have my studio at DC. That's one way, the reason I'm keep trying to get back, but my wife is, um, kidnapped here in Florida.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:41:52):
Well, she said, you got, you got 20 years there, man
Quincy Amarikwa (00:41:55):
Wants three years. She's been following my schedule. And she said, that's okay. That's hired you. It's my turn now.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:42:03):
Well, I'll try to talk to, well, we'll leave you wave you with an MSL challenge. You should maybe start like a, um, an Instagram account where you post some of your paintings and work. Do you, are you willing, are you willing to share us for us to see you?
Quincy Amarikwa (00:42:19):
Yes, it's public. I made it again this year. I made it, I made it public for the first time. And that's again, another step, because when you're a coach, you're always kind of hiding that part of you. And, um, yeah, so I made it public. It's out there. I've been also an artists. It's fun. It's uh, it's, it's, it's been, uh, it's been a fun little side journey and, uh, I'll continue doing it, but you know, again, it's, you know, my focus right now is not about being a full-time painter. It's it's, uh, again, trying to figure a little bit of everything. Let the universe tell me Pablo Mastriani
Quincy Amarikwa (00:42:54):
You guys gotta, you gotta connect back with this man. He is the,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:43:02):
No,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:43:02):
I love it, man. Well, Hey, thank you for the time. I really appreciate it. Uh, we'd love to have you on again, anytime in the future, uh, you know, meet doors, all doors, always open
Quincy Amarikwa (00:43:11):
Anytime, buddy. I appreciate it, man. Thanks for having me on have a good night. Okay.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:43:19):
Yo,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:43:20):
Everybody hope you enjoyed that. That was great. That was great. Uh, conversation with, um, with Ben Olson, former DC United coach, my former, uh, coach while I was at DC United, um, sharing some awesome insights and takeaways from just a 23 year, uh, professional and professional playing and coaching career. Um, I mean, you heard it from him. It's, it's probably not quite over yet, but, um, figuring everything out and deciding what, what it is he's he's going to be doing, but it's great to have him on, uh, you got to have about drops and below. What do you, what do you think, what do you think he should do youth coach, coach back at MLS, um, general management technicals. I will know the trainer painter. Uh, what are you guys thinking? And, uh, while I, while you guys dropped some of that, let's see what we've got here. Um, westbound girl said TFC fan. That was really, uh, that has really enjoyed this. Thanks. Uh, thank you both. Of course. Thanks. Thanks for dropping by, um, uh, Joe that said love
Quincy Amarikwa (00:44:32):
All the insight, definitely watching or listening to again, after this is posted and you guys already know what we do every week, we break down each episode, uh, turn it into a blog post, get it re posted over on our YouTube channels and the perfect soccer team membership, uh, center. Speaking of which it's a great transition. Thanks for the set up there, Joe, into the link you guys see below today's episode and all future episodes, um, are obviously sponsored by perfect soccer, but you guys need to go and get yourself your perfect soccer subscription, perfect soccer skills.com/subscription. Uh, this four week break from the show. Uh, the perfect soccer team has worked diligently internally to get everything back. Um, in order, you know, we we've been, we've been collecting feedback from the audience testimonials from the audience, uh, insights from the audience over the, over the last, what eight years.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:45:34):
But especially in these last two years, you guys have really, uh, been, been taking, taking the MSO mindset mentality into your local markets, into your teams, your clubs, and, um, applying what you're learning and coming back to us with a lot of, uh, positive messages, testimonials of, uh, great successes in people's local market. And with that, we really refined down, um, what is now the perfect soccer subscription and, uh, I'm super juiced about it. I'm juiced about it. I spent basically all day really refining it and putting it altogether, but it's, it's, it's basically everything that we have here on the perfect soccer channel and platform, um, tools, resources, training, uh, individual weekly programs, our B pro weekly training program, uh, a mini ball of match ball. Um, Oh yeah. Going through time management, uh, all of our books, training tools and resources for all one low cost.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:46:34):
So head over to perfect cyber skills.com/subscription, check out what it is that we've got going on and get yourself some, get yourself some, to be honest, I really, I highly highly recommend it. It's a, it's an amazing program that we've got together and, um, package that we've got offered. And I know there's been more and more people reaching out to the account, asking ways in which they could support the channel, the show as well as increase their mental strength and their on, on the field and off the field endeavors and a perfect soccer subscription is your ticket to success. So jump on the train. Um, yeah, so let's see what, let's see what we got here.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:47:21):
Uh, he's gotta be Picasso front office, uh, position at DC he's family. Yeah, I know. Um, a lot of people are wanting to see Ben in some position, you know, um, in some position back with the organization. So that is definitely something, uh, possible. Tim, Tim had said front office role with DC or painter love that. Both, both would be great. Right? Maybe you guys got to get him to you. Uh, we'll definitely go follow as candidate. I'll go. I have to find it. I think he said Ben Olson, painter, and to see if we can get him to do like a, a live painting class or like a instructional flat, you know, like you got the, the easel behind, behind them and maybe a little glass of wine and can teach us how to paint. Yep. Uh, K 23 said he could tell his paintings in the DC United team store.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:48:10):
I know people would buy them. I caught myself one. I'm going to go check out his, uh, his account and see if I can leave a comment offering what, uh, what, I'm, what I'm bidding on my favorite painting. Um, K O L B K L said, I think he's a fight promoter. Now he's trying to track downs lots on. Yeah. So he's a, he's a head coach, uh, or a former head coach, uh, potential front office staff painter and, uh, fight promoter love that. Um, Western girl said, you're welcome. Really love what you do with this platform being great to follow you, post TFC and all the work you do. Thank you very much. I really appreciate that. Shout out my TFC roots, some of the O G followers, uh, know about my time with, uh, Toronto football club. Love my time there. It was a good time.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:49:04):
They're great people, great city, great organization. Um, man, make me reflect on that time that I was born. I thought I almost made it almost made it. Paul Marriner was the head coach then, um, got traded, you know, late in the year, had a good run, developed a good relationship with him, um, was thinking we're dead set for the next season and building the team. And unfortunately he got fired and uh, went into broadcasting. Ugh, still breaks my heart to this day, but, uh, he's a great, he's a great man. I, I really, uh, I respect him a lot. Let's see. Let's see. Yeah. Soccer field painter bed. Awesome. Everybody. I hope you enjoyed. Today's episode, episode 100 was a unique one, a fun one. The first head coach to join the platform. Hopefully, uh, the first of many, I think we'll have to make this into like some type of mini series where we get, uh, all my former, uh, coaches to join me for a conversation to discuss all the ways in which they love it, me and hated me at the same time.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:50:18):
You know, I love that, you know, uh, uh, I think coaches love the fact that I can get under the skin of, of players on the, on the field. But I guess it also happens in off the field as well too, but I've, I've, I've, uh, figured out that, that, that technique and approach and gotten dialed in on that as well too. So we'll see, you guys know what it is. It's still another free agency year. We'll see if we've got a, another year of professional soccer ready to go. I definitely know I'm ready because I stay ready. So I'll have to get ready. And we just need people out here to tap into that frequency. You know what I mean? 2020 was about the vision. People got vision now, uh, speaking of vision, shout out all the fans who are catching what the MLS is trying to finagle finagle in to the, to the fans, thinking that they're just going to get away with that. Like the fans don't understand now. Cause we, you know, we'd been over here struggling to try to stand, but now we stand under, I don't have the screenshot of it right now, but I definitely should get the screenshot. If anybody's been seeing, you know, the, the press release dropped by the league today, as well as the MLS PA's response, the analyst PA's response. I don't know if you guys have been seeing it,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:51:41):
But you know what it is. Uh,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:51:43):
Joe Jackson said, I saw the statement. That was a joke, uh, Libre Profan States that frequency.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:51:49):
Exactly bro.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:51:51):
Yo Joe Jackson library, pool fan page, people are dialing into the frequency, bro. Uh, McNasty stopping on next 20, 20, 20, 21. Let's get it. Uh MLSP has response was lit, took them long enough, huh? But it's all right, everybody. 20, 2020 is about the vision. Now 2021 is about the frequency. You know, people gotta just happy and people gotta come, come, you're saying, come and jump in on the wave. Like, you know what I mean? The frequency is just out here and people are like, you know, double Dutch, just, Oh,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:52:31):
Oh, woo. Jump on in that. [inaudible]
Quincy Amarikwa (00:52:39):
Yo uh, John said, what was the response? Y'all was a solid clap back response Brahma. I'm going to give them their, their shine go and go and check it out and see what it is. You know what I mean? Uh, negotiating in the media is so bad or so good. Just depends on where you're going. Uh, MSL, fanpage dropping the waves, loving that you guys know what it is. We're out here making waves. They MSL with MSL army, but we're saying the MSL lesion, you know, shout up, uh, Christina for the lesion, for the lesion, shout or Legion, uh, you know, it takes time for people to see and then to understand it takes time. But that's the one thing that we value the most over here. Everybody Long-term winners mindset, L T w M out here. So it's clear. People just got to subscribe to the frequency. You know what I mean? Speeding was shut up. Perfect soccer skills.com/subscription. Go and purchase yourself. Your purpose, soccer subscription, get everything that comes along with it. Be pro weekly custom training programs, beginner, intermediate advanced bang every week. Slapping your account. Oh, that's not enough. Yeah, it isn't because you also get yourself a perfect soccer CV website, bang, promote yourself custom perfect soccer skills.com link
Quincy Amarikwa (00:54:23):
Comes with it. Um,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:54:31):
Let's see a candle set. I definitely need that hat really good. You just go to perfect soccer skills.com/store and copy yourself one or go to perfect soccer skills.com/subscription. Get yourself a perfect soccer subscription and then unlock access to a perfect soccer subscription member. 30% off discount code and get yourself 30% off this half. I mean the perfect soccer subscription pays for itself
Quincy Amarikwa (00:55:00):
Pays
Quincy Amarikwa (00:55:00):
For itself. Kendall dropping the multi-phase I'm in your head emojis. Yeah. Uh, I'm liking this. I'm even thinking. So we w during this hyenas, right, while we were putting together and building out the perfect soccer subscription, um, as well as, uh, refining all of our processes and tightening up our content strategy and getting our Instagram account up and running and Twitter and LinkedIn, all of that stuff, as well as all the progress and processes we've been going through with the BPC organization. Right. We have learned an awful lot and, um, really talked about, uh, changing up the, you know, the, the cadence of the show. What's, what's the, what, what's the pattern of the show going to be here moving forward? Uh, we were, unliking the idea of booking a lot more show guests and having conversations just like that, that you guys heard right there. And then, uh, saving, you know, the last 20 minutes or so, like we've had right here to just
Quincy Amarikwa (00:56:00):
Shoot the,
Quincy Amarikwa (00:56:03):
It was a family-friendly show. So keep it classy out here, but to have fun, talk about what's going on relevant, uh, news in the soccer world, soccer space. I have not been plugged in ways in which I have in the past, but I've gotten plugged in, in better ways than I have been in the past. So there's some dope in the, in the mix and in the works. So that's always been great. I've been learning a lot about farming for those of you. Who've been following my, uh, personal account at all. Um, got ourselves a little ATV, used it to round up the cattle, the cows, those of you don't know. We got like 30 cows now out on the land, marijuana acres, shout out, um, been doing research into horses. I want to start boarding horses. Um, and then building kind of our own like outdoor, uh, training facility, you know, start with like a ball, a wall, a ball wall, and then, um, weights and stuff like that. So be on the lookout for all of that.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:57:10):
Let me make it some like custom or not custom, like some exclusive content and stuff. That's only available to perfect soccer subscription members that is will T to make sure you guys get your perfect soccer subscription. Cause you're gonna get access to a lot of dope stuff. That's coming down the pipeline. Um, let's see, Joe said, I saw sir, Lord kicking the ball around with you on your story while you're training. Loved it. Yeah, man, they're starting to get, they're starting to really love, um, really loved soccer. They, as of just got some new soccer shoes yesterday and so did his brother and they were, um, in looking at how happy and how happy they were when they got out, he was just jumping around, testing the grip. He was loving it. Um, but yeah, uh, so they get chickens. You get free eggs. That's right.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:58:03):
When you get some chickens, Serita, Sweden wants a chicken coop. So we're going to start doing that here soon, but all right, everybody, I appreciate, I appreciate you tuning in and joining us for episode 100 of the hashtag ask a soccer pro show. Oh, I'll see you guys here. Same time, same place next week. That's Thursday 6:00 PM. PST 9:00 PM EST on the app. Perfect. Underscore soccer, Instagram account for episode one Oh one. Like I said, working on having guests for the shows you're moving forward. Um, we do not have next week's guest book booked, but I think someone had someone had shouted out Darlington Bagby on the account. He'd be, he'd be a great, a great person to interview, especially after you know, his time in Atlanta and now back in Columbus and winning the MLS cup. So if you guys would like to see him on the show, make sure you go to spam his Instagram account with at tags, telling him he needs to join the hashtag Astra soccer pro show.
Quincy Amarikwa (00:59:11):
And, uh, also tag and at me in any other pros that you guys would like to see, um, interview coaches as well too, right now that we've got our first coach on the platform. Um, let's get some more, maybe we can get, you know, general manager, technical director. Um, yeah, let's get every angle, every perspective, like let's do it. Let's just start doing that. I liked that. I liked that Quincy. That's a great idea. Thanks Bootsy. You must be tapped into the frequency. I am cause it's free Quincy. That's right. Hmm, 20, 21 off to a good start. Thanks everybody. Uh, appreciate it. And as always, as always as always that forever, I am in your head. Rent-free love you guys.