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Career Summary
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
<strong>2014 (Crew):</strong> Has made 10 appearances: four starts and two substitute appearances at forward and one start and three substitute appearances at midfield ... was suspended for the Crew’s 2014 Season Opener against D.C. United (March 8) due to a red card in the final match of 2013 ... made his season debut as a sub in the Crew’s 2-1 home- opener victory against Philadelphia (March 22) ... made his first start of 2014 at Seattle (March 29) and drew a penalty kick and an opponent’s red card on a goal- scoring opportunity but was injured on the play ... returned to action in the club’s next game against Toronto FC (April 5) ... made his first appearance at midfield<br />
as a sub in the match against New York (April 26), gaining national attention for his pizza-inspired haircut ... was again a substitute at midfield, replacing Hector Jimenez at right wing at halftime in the match at Sporting KC (May 4) ... started at right midfield at Houston (May 7), his first start at right wing in 2014 ... returned to the lineup with a substitute appearance on the wing against Chicago (May 24). <br>
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<strong>2013 (Crew):</strong> Oduro started all 34 matches in his first season with the Black & Gold, splitting time at right midfield (16 starts) and up top at forward (18 starts). He led the team with a career-high 13 goals and posting four assists en route to the club’s Budweiser Golden Boot award. Oduro scored a 94th-minute goal in his Crew debut in the start at Chivas USA (March 2) and scored his 35th career goal and second of the season, a 72nd-minute equalizer against Philadelphia (April 6) before another 72nd-minute equalizer in the team’s next match at Montreal (April 14). Oduro scored the game-winning goal in the 15th-minute against D.C. (April 27), his third of the month of April before returning to forward and scoring his fifth goal of the season -- the game-winner -- in the match at Toronto (May 18), which was nominated for “Goal of the Week”. Later scored a second-minute goal -- his sixth of the season -- at New York (May 26) but was injured on the play with a thigh contusion and left the match after just eight minutes of action. His seventh tally of the season and his first assist of the year came in a start at forward against Montreal (June 15) before he intercepted a Sporting KC back pass and converted it into his eighth goal of the season (June 29). Oduro started in the international friendly against Wigan Athletic (July 13). He scored his ninth goal of the season -- a low line-drive blast from 30+ yards out -- in a start at right midfield at Toronto (July 27) after making four straight starts at forward from June 29-July 20. His second assist of the season came in a return to the forward position against Houston (September 4) and he scored his 10th goal of the season -- the game-winner -- in a start at right wing at Montreal (September 14), which also earned him a “Goal of the Week” nomination. He extended his team lead in goals to 11 versus Chicago (September 21), securing his second straight “Goal of the Week” nomination and scored his third goal in as many games -- tying his career-high mark of 12 tallies in a season -- in the match at FC Dallas (September 29) while also adding an assist en route to MLS Player of the Week honors. His three goals and two assists in September earned him MLS Player of the Month honors. Later, he recorded his career-high 13th goal on the year and added an assist which tied a career-best in a 3-2 loss at New England (October 19). Oduro one appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a substitute appearance at right wing, coming on for the injured Glauber in the ninth-minute in the 2-1 loss in the Fourth Round at Chicago (June 13).<br>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2012 (Fire)</strong>: In his second season with the Fire, Oduro scored six goals and tallied three assists in 33 games in 2012.<br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19.5px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">2011 (Dynamo, Fire):</strong> Oduro led the Fire in goals with 12, tallying two assists and tying fellow Virginia Commonwealth alum Gonzalo Segares for the team lead in games played with 33 over 2604 minutes after joining the team via trade from Houston following the first week of the season. He appeared in five matches, starting three over 357 minutes and scoring two goals during Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play.<br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19.5px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">2010 (Dynamo):</strong> Returning to the Dynamo in 2010, Oduro tied for the team scoring lead with seven goals in all competitions, appearing in 27 of 30 MLS games, making 19 starts, and notched five league goals, tying a career high, and four assists. In Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, Oduro played all 90 minutes in both games as Dynamo reached quarterfinals. He assisted on game-winning goal in 1-0 win vs. Miami FC (June 29), slipping a pass through for Lovel Palmer's game-winner. Oduro scored Houston's only goal in 3-1 quarterfinal loss vs. Chivas USA (July 6) when Joseph Ngwenya ricocheted off his chest and into the net. During the 2010 SuperLiga campaign, the Ghanaian appeared in three of four matches, making two starts. He scored game-winning goal after Cam Weaver headed down a free kick in 1-0 win vs. Puebla (July 21). He was ejected later in the match when referee believed he had earned two yellow cards; red card was later rescinded, and Oduro played all 90 minutes in 1-0 semifinal loss vs. Morelia (August 5).<br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19.5px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">2009 (Red Bulls, Dynamo):</strong> Acquired from NY in trade on 5/27, Oduro appeared in 16 games, with seven starts, for Houston. Oduro scored only MLS goal of the season as part of his best game of the year in 3-2 win at Chivas USA (October 25). The Ghanian finished the season with three assists for the Dynamo. In the playoffs, Oduro started all three playoff games and rocketed shot off the post in second leg versus Seattle (November 8). Oduro scored two goals in the Dynamo's 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign. In the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League, Oduro started five of six games in the Dynamo's CCL campaign. He was ejected for receiving two yellow cards in 2-0 loss at Pachuca (September 16) including caution for shirt removal while play was stopped for an injury.<br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19.5px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">2008 (FC Dallas):</strong> Oduro scored a career-high five goals in 25 games, including only nine starts, in his third season in Dallas and also notched two assists. He scored twice in nine minutes in a 2-1 win vs. RSL (May 24). Oduro assisted on Abe Thompson's game-tying goal in 2-1 win vs. Miami (July 1) in U.S. Open Cup play.<br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19.5px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">2007 (FC Dallas):</strong> In his sophomore campaign, Oduro scored three goals and two assists in a team-high 29 appearances, including 10 starts, for FC Dallas. The Ghanaian notched first career assist against New England (September 15). Oduro appeared in both games of playoff series versus Houston. In SuperLiga, Oduro notched one assist in three appearances as Dallas was eliminated in the group stage. The Ghanaian appeared in three of four games as Dallas reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final but did not score.<br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19.5px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">2006 (FC Dallas): </strong>As a Second Round pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Oduro scored once in 16 appearances, including three starts, for FC Dallas. Oduro made his first career start and scored first career goal against New York (July 8). Oduro did not appear in Western Conference semifinal series loss against Colorado.<br>
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
As a student at Virginia Commonwealth, Oduro scored 18 goals and totaled five assists in two seasons for the Rams from 2004-05. The speedster was named 2004 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and a third-team all-American selection while leading VCU to its first ever NCAA quarterfinal appearance after spending 2002-03 at the University of Ghana.
YOUTH SOCCER
Oduro played for the Richmond Kickers Future PDL team in 2005, leading the team in goals and finishing second in assists.
ACQUIRED
Oduro was acquired via trade with the Chicago Fire on January 16, 2013 in exchange for Dilly Duka and allocation money.
PERSONAL
Oduro is the son of Anthony and Elizabeth Oduro. In his spare time, Oduro enjoys spending time with his family and playing Ping-Pong: he calls his forehand play “a weapon.” A fan of crime and law books – specifically of John Grisham and Dan Brown – Oduro also enjoys action flicks, including “The Bourne Ultimatum.” Oduro’s favorite non-MLS club is Manchester United and he is a fan of the skills of Samuel Eto'o. Oduro’s Papa John’s (of Columbus) pizza goal celebration in 2013 gained national attention and earned a spoof on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.” His favorite vacation destination is Hawaii. Besides English, Oduro speaks Ghanaian dialects of Twi, Ga, Nzema, and Fante and is also conversational in Spanish.