Ben Olsen. Photo by Kyle Gustafson.

D.C. United announced this morning that they have dismissed Curt Onalfo and installed club legend Ben Olsen as interim coach in a major, but sorely needed, shakeup. United has struggled through the worst season in club history this year, notching only a 3-12-3 record in MLS play to date. Onalfo, who was hired in December 2009 to replace Tom Soehn, had difficulty gaining traction with the team from the get-go — United lost its first four league games. A roster in constant flux doomed Onalfo; while his performance was certainly under-par, there was really only so much that any coach was going to be able to do with the team as currently constructed.

“It takes a long time to build something, and having had eight short months, it was a limited amount of time,” Onalfo told the Washington Post’s Steve Goff. “[B]ut I understand the profession.”

“This decision is not about placing blame, but about looking forward,” said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. “Recent performances have convinced us that we need to make a change at the top for the team to improve the remainder of this season, for 2011 and beyond. We wish Curt nothing but the best.”

United fans will probably be somewhat buoyed by the appointment of Olsen, even if it is just for an interim period. Olsen will start right away, taking control of the team at training today.

Olsen, who holds a reputation as a fiery competitor on the field, was measured in his response to the promotion. “It is with mixed emotions that I accept this position,” said Olsen in a press release. “Curt is a great friend and coach from whom I’ve learned a great deal. My job now is to get results for D.C. United. I’ll give everything I have to do exactly that.”