Dotson became the first second-round MLS SuperDraft pick in MNUFC history to sign a professional contract with the Loons after being selected as the 31st pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. The midfielder signed a three-year contract ahead of the 2022 season, looking to solidify his spot as a starting defensive-midfielder. Dotson started the first seven games of the 2022 season, notching one goal and two assists before an ACL tear in April forced him to miss the remainder of the 2022 season.
In three seasons with Minnesota, Dotson has 93 game appearances for MNUFC across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists. He became a must-have in the gameday roster with his versatility, playing defensive-midfielder, wing-back, fullback and winger.
Dotson was a revelation in his rookie season for Minnesota, making 24 appearances in 2019. He contributed to seven clean sheets and scored four goals, including the tally that clinched the Loons’ first playoff berth in franchise history. He made five appearances in the club’s U.S. Open Cup run and provided two assists. His rookie performance earned recognition from the league, appearing twice on the bench of the MLS Team of the Week and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year.
Dotson played his college soccer at Oregon State, where he was named to the USC Second Team All-Far West Region, the Second Team All-Pacific 12 Conference and was a Pacific 12 Conference Academic Honorable Mention in his senior year.
In 2022, Dotson married his longtime girlfriend Petra and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Gia Valentina. Dotson proposed to Petra on the field after a Minnesota United home game at Allianz Field in 2021.
INTERNATIONAL: Between 2019 and 2021, Dotson was called up several times to the U.S. U23 Men’s National Team for international friendlies ahead of Olympic Qualifying. He made his USYNT scoring debut with a pair of goals only five minutes apart in the USYNT 4-0 win over the Dominican Republic in the subsequent Olympic Qualifying.
