Player Details

Name

Chris Odoi-Atsem

Pronunciation

Oh-doy Ah-chum

Height

5' 10"

Weight

150 lbs

Date of Birth

5.28.1995 (29)

Birthplace

Mitchellville, MD USA

Position

Defender

Position Detail

Full Back

Preferred Side

Right

Roster Category

Senior
Career Summary

MLS Experience

2021: Odoi-Astem made his first appearance of the season on Aug. 1 against FC Cincinnati after returning from injury. The defender appeared in the Aug. 19 match against the New England Revolution before missing seven consecutive games due to injury. The 26-year-old returned on Oct. 3 against Orlando City SC. Odoi-Astem finished the season with nine appearances (two starts) and logged 373 minutes.

2020: In his fourth season with D.C. United, Odoi-Atsem made significant contributions in the 15 matches he appeared in. He was a consistent performer at his right outside back position, helping the team both defensively and going forward down the right side. Odoi-Atsem was named to the Week 19 MLS Team of the Week starting lineup after his first career goal and match-winner in the 78th minute of the 2-1 win against Cincinnati FC on Oct. 19.

2019:  After being cleared to play following his battle with Stage II Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Chris Odoi-Atsem returned to the lineup for D.C. United during the 3-3 draw against the Chicago Fire on May 29. The defender started the game and played 68 minutes. Odoi-Atsem made two more appearances as a substitute recording an impressive passing accuracy of 84%. The Maryland native spent the majority of the season with D.C. United’s USL Championship affiliate Loudoun United where he made six appearances and recorded two assists.

2018: The second-year defender made one appearance for United in 2018, playing 12 minutes off the bench in a 3-1 loss to Columbus on March 14. Odoi-Atsem tallied 11 touches and four passes against the Crew. Odoi-Atsem’s season was cut short due to his diagnosis of Stage Two Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

2017: In his rookie year, Odoi-Atsem made nine appearances (five starts). He made his full MLS debut as a 90th minute substitute in the 3-1 win against Atlanta on April 30. Odoi-Atsem also started and played 90 minutes in both of United’s 2017 U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup matches.

College Experience

Chris Odoi-Atsem played four seasons for the University of Maryland and made 81 appearances. Odoi-Atsem immediately earned a starting spot as a freshman and went on to become one of their best performers over four seasons with the Terps. As a senior in 2016, the defender recorded one goal and a career-high six assists while helping his team win a Big Ten Championship.

  • 2016: First Team All-Big Ten
  • 2016 NSCAA FIrst Team ALL-Midwest Region
  • 2015: Second Team All-Big Ten Conference
  • 2014: First Team All-Big Ten Conference

Acquired

February 16, 2018 - United signed Chris Odoi-Atsem to a one-year contract with options for 2019 and 2020.