Rob Olson
Encyclopedia
Rob Olson, also known as Robbie Olson and Rob Olsen, is a retired U.S. soccer player who is Director of Operations and Coaching for the Virginia
-based Southwestern Youth Association
Soccer (SYA Soccer).
in Fairfax County, Virginia
. He then attended the College of William and Mary
from 1977 to 1980, where he played as a forward on the men’s soccer team. He is ranked 2nd on the school’s list of career goals with 33.
of the American Soccer League
in 1982. In 1983, the U.S. Soccer Federation, in coordination with the North American Soccer League
(NASL), entered the U.S. national team
, known as Team America, into the NASL as a league franchise. The team drew on U.S. citizens playing in the NASL, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Soccer League
. Two players from the Georgia Generals, Olson and team mate Sonny Askew
, signed with Team America. When Team America finished the 1983 season with a 10-20 record, the worst in the NASL, the USSF withdrew the team from the league. In 1985, Olson played with the Kalamazoo Kangaroos
of the American Indoor Soccer Association. Finally, in 1988, he reunited with Georgia Generals and Team America teammate Askew when both played for the Washington Stars
of the newly re-established ASL.
with the U.S. national team when he came on as a substitute for Boris Bandov in the only U.S. game of 1983.
On May 13, 2006, he was inducted into the Virginia Soccer Hall of Fame.
He coached the Centreville High School Girl's Varsity soccer team, as well as his 3 SYA teams.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
-based Southwestern Youth Association
Southwestern Youth Association
Southwestern Youth Association is a junior sports league that houses hundreds of house level teams and dozens of travel clubs. It was founded in 1973. It operates for the areas of Centreville and Clifton, Virginia, USA.- Sports :*Baseball*Basketball...
Soccer (SYA Soccer).
Youth
Olson graduated from Robinson Secondary SchoolRobinson Secondary School
James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School, known as Robinson Secondary School, opened in 1971, is a public school in the Commonwealth of Virginia....
in Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
. He then attended the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
from 1977 to 1980, where he played as a forward on the men’s soccer team. He is ranked 2nd on the school’s list of career goals with 33.
Professional
Olson joined the Georgia GeneralsGeorgia Generals
Georgia Generals were a professional soccer team in the USA. They played for one season in the ASL. They were formed when the Cleveland Cobras franchise moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Their owner was Walt Russell...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
in 1982. In 1983, the U.S. Soccer Federation, in coordination with the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL), entered the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, known as Team America, into the NASL as a league franchise. The team drew on U.S. citizens playing in the NASL, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. Two players from the Georgia Generals, Olson and team mate Sonny Askew
Sonny Askew
John "Sonny" Askew is a retired American soccer forward who spent seven seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the second American Soccer League, two in the third American Soccer League, and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
, signed with Team America. When Team America finished the 1983 season with a 10-20 record, the worst in the NASL, the USSF withdrew the team from the league. In 1985, Olson played with the Kalamazoo Kangaroos
Kalamazoo Kangaroos
The Kalamazoo Kangaroos were an indoor soccer club based in Kalamazoo, Michigan that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association.The team was started in 1984 as one of the original members of the AISA. They played their games at Wings Stadium which seated 5,000 people and were coached in...
of the American Indoor Soccer Association. Finally, in 1988, he reunited with Georgia Generals and Team America teammate Askew when both played for the Washington Stars
Washington Stars
The Washington Stars were an American soccer team established in 1987 as F.C. Washington. The team entered the American Soccer League in 1988 under the name Washington Stars and merged with the Maryland Bays in 1990.-History:...
of the newly re-established ASL.
National team
Olson earned his single capCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
with the U.S. national team when he came on as a substitute for Boris Bandov in the only U.S. game of 1983.
Post playing career
He joined SYA Soccer in 1986 and became the Assistant Director of Soccer Education since 1997. He is the current Director of Operations and Coaching.On May 13, 2006, he was inducted into the Virginia Soccer Hall of Fame.
He coached the Centreville High School Girl's Varsity soccer team, as well as his 3 SYA teams.