Just a year ago, Dominic Oduro wouldn’t have dreamed of his receiving a call-up from the Ghanaian national team. But when he found out this month that Ghana was set to play Chile in Philadelphia, the Chicago Fire forward knew he had a chance.
The Fire’s leading scorer was officially notified this week that he’ll be joining Ghana on Feb. 29 at PPL Park.
“I was really excited,” he said. “I’ve been really working hard for this. I worked hard last year to prove a point. I don’t know if a year ago we’d be having this conversation.“
A year ago, Oduro was a fifth-year veteran with just 13 goals to his name over those five years with Houston and Dallas. Then, after being traded to Chicago last March, he enjoyed a breakout season, starting 29 matches and scoring 12 goals for the Fire.
“At the end of the day, it went down to what type of play suits my style,” Oduro said. “The style of play in Chicago was more effective for me. Chicago gave me a whole lot of chances to start, and that boosts your confidence a whole lot. Sometimes it’s just the right time. Coming to Chicago was the right moment for me to shine.”
And now it has led to a call up to the Black Stars.
“It puts you on the map,” Oduro said. “Also, if I work hard this might not be my last call. It just tells me I’ve got my head on straight, I’m in the right place, and I should just keep focused and doing what I’m doing.”
WATCH: Oduro equalizes against his old club, Houston
