Kofi Sarkodie

Youth, college and amateur

After graduating from the IMG Soccer Academy in 2008, Sarkodie attended the University of Akron. Sarkodie started in all 23 games as a freshman and scored in his very first game against Notre Dame. He made the Soccer America All-Freshman first team honoree and was first team All-MAC. As a sophomore, he was also awarded first team All-MAC for the second year in a row. Sarkodie had a breakout year in 2010, finishing with eight goals and six assists, helping the Zips to a College Cup. Accolades Sarkodie was awarded following his junior season included NSCAA All-America first team, Soccer America Player of the Year, Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season first team, College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player, College Cup All-Tournament Team, and his third straight first team All-MAC selection. While in college, Sarkodie was also a member of the Michigan Bucks of the USL Premier Development League but he never made an appearance for the club.

Professional

Houston Dynamo

On January 13, 2011, Sarkodie was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) by the Houston Dynamo in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He made his professional debut on March 25, getting the start in a 1–1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC. Sarkodie made 7 MLS appearances his rookie season, as well as one appearance in the Open Cup, as the Dynamo finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference. However, Sarkodie did not feature in the playoffs as the Dynamo reached MLS…

As of January 26, 2021

Sarkodie was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. His parents, Amaning and Olivia, are both originally from Kumasi, Ghana. Olivia's mother, Kofi's grandmother, was the tribal queen of her village. Sarkodie has two brothers, Kwame and Ofori, and one sister, Mimi. Kwame played college soccer for Cincinnati while Ofori played for Indiana.