Ben Olsen, Head Coach
On the decision to select Chris Odoi-Atsem…
"Athletically he’s built for the league and he fills a position of need for our group right now. We like his competitiveness and we like that he comes from a very good program that’s guided by a good coach. We’ve been familiar with him for some time so we know what he’s about, we think he fits us and we’re excited to get him into camp to start competing for a spot."
On what he saw from Odoi-Atsem at the combine…
"We saw the same thing that we’ve seen over the past couple of years at Maryland. He’s a good one v one defender, has great pace and loves to get forward. There are still some things we need to work with him on to get him to where we want him to be...but I think he’s the type of kid who’s looking forward to that challenge and learning."
On the decision to select Eric Klenofsky…
“He's a competitor...has soft hands...good feet. He's still a touch raw and we have a lot of faith in Zach Thornton to move him along quickly to make him better. He’s another guy that has a bunch of tools that suit the position and suit our league.”
On the decision to select Jo Vetle Rimstad…
“Jo is a different story than the other two, growing up overseas, going through academy systems and spending a little time in the military. He's a very tactically sound center back as a lot of the Scandinavian defenders are. He impressed us over the last couple of days."
On where the draft picks fit in...
“We’re pretty set across the board. Of course we want to get better and if we think there’s an opportunity in the next week or two to add to the group then we will. But if that doesn’t happen then I still feel we have a good solid group to start the season with. We’ll certainly be competitive and I like that this is still a new group in some ways. We made a lot of changes last summer and the last half of the season was fairly successful...not so much in the playoffs but in the regular season and we’re looking to build off of that. We think that the familiarity of that group and continuing with that will hopefully help us, particularly at the beginning of the season.
Dave Kasper, General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations
On the strategy at the SuperDraft...
"At this point we're looking to add depth to the roster moving into preseason and the 2017 regular season. Chris [Odoi-Atsem] is a player that we've watched in our backyard. We had him in training this past summer. He's a kid with a big upside. A real competitor, he can get forward in the attack and he's a very good defender. We're really pleased with that first round pick. He dropped to 12 and we're very glad he did."
On Selecting Eric Klenofsky...
“We want to bring in some competition in the goalkeeping department and Eric is a player that caught our eye here. We did a little bit of scouting of him ahead of the combine. We had him as one of the top two goalkeepers in this draft and we’re pleasantly surprised that he dropped as well.”
Chris Odoi-Atsem, Defender, 12th overall pick
On getting selected by D.C. United…
"They’re very familiar with the player they’re getting. They probably know me better than anyone else here, so I’m glad to be going to D.C. United."
On what he can contribute to the team…
"I think I can contribute both ways. I’m a defender first (as a right back) but I also love to get forward and contribute to the attack as well. So I think I can really help the team on both sides of the ball."
On the culture at D.C. United…
"They’re building a great culture. You can see how they came together at the end of the season. I’ve been watching them closely and I spent some time in the summer with them, so I really got to know the culture of the team. I think I can fit in with the guys so I’m really excited to join them."
On the feeling of getting selected at the MLS SuperDraft…
"It’s just a great feeling, being around such talent in the whole room, looking to your right and seeing great coaches and then looking to your left and seeing high-profile people."
On what he hopes to learn over the first couple seasons…
"I just want to learn the ins and outs of being a Major League Soccer player. It’s definitely a step up from college, so having [the coaches] helping me out with that transition [is great]. I’m really looking forward to that."
Eric Klenofsky, Goalkeeper, 34th overall pick
On the feeling of getting selected…
“It was a dream come true. I think it was the longest three hours of my life though. I was so nervous and jittery but thank God it happened finally. It was kind of worrying as it went on...I was like this needs to happen. I’ve worked so hard for this to happen and I just want to thank D.C. United for having faith in me.”
On the journey to get to this point…
“It’s hard coming out of a smaller school. Monmouth Soccer is a great program but it’s not on a national scale per se. We don’t play in the Big Ten, we don’t play in the ACC...we play in the MAAC. It’s a great conference but much less national exposure. It was not my best combine to be honest but it doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you finish. Whatever’s meant to be will be and I’m just happy to be with D.C. United at a club with a great goalkeeper coach like Zach Thornton and a great coach like Ben Olsen and I can’t wait to get started.”
On what makes the combine so difficult…
“There are a few things involved. Number one is a lot of pressure. Number two there’s a lot of expectation and that’s always hard to live up to. Then getting thrown in with a bunch of guys you don’t know is always difficult. So there’s a lot of variables that go into the combine that aren’t realistic to an actual game or what you go through with your actual team. The combine is a different experience but one that I’ll keep close to me and I’m just happy that it all worked out.”
On his thoughts of working with the D.C. United Staff…
“I walked into the meeting I had with them the other day and I was star struck. I used to watch Ben Olsen and Zach Thornton on TV. He was my favorite goalkeeper. I actually played when Zach Thornton was the goalkeeper coach for Villanova. I’m with people who have an immense amount of knowledge about the game and I can’t wait to work underneath them.”
On what he showed D.C. United coaching staff in his interview…
“More than anything I tried to show who I truly I am. I wasn’t trying to be anyone other than Eric Klenofsky. More than anything I want to be logical so when people ask about USL or playing time I want to be as realistic as I can. I don’t want anyone to think I’m not realistic. When going into meetings just be yourself, be genuine and hopefully it works out that way.”
On what D.C. United fans can expect from him…
“Eric Klenofsky is one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet. I’m committed to the process, soccer is my life and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life. I can’t wait to play in front of the D.C. United fans at RFK and I can’t wait to get started.”
On how playing for an attacking team effects his personal game…
"My job stays the same. The goalkeeper’s job is to keep the ball out of the net so whether we’re attack-minded or defensive minded my job remains the same. The only real difference is going forward, starting out from the back is a trend now that teams and that’s great for me because I think my feet are one of my best."
Jo Vetle Rimstad, Defender, 43rd overall pick
On his feelings after getting selected…
“It was an amazing feeling to be selected amongst some of the best players in the country. I’m happy that D.C. United gave me a chance and I’m looking forward to starting preseason in the next couple of weeks.”
On what D.C. United fans can expect from him…
“The fans can expect a hard working defender who’s up for the challenge of fighting for his spot on the team. I think I’ve got a good tactical understanding of the game and I can’t wait to continue to learn from all the players at the club. I love soccer and can’t wait to continue my adventure in the U.S. Capital.”
