WASHINGTON — Chris Odoi-Atsem scored the game-winning goal for DC United over the weekend but it wasn’t just a normal goal by any means. It was his first since being cleared to play since returning to soccer since his fight with cancer.
Odoi-Atsem was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2018. He was cancer-free in January 2020 but his return to the soccer field wasn’t so easy.
"It’s been a long journey. Everything hasn’t gone the way I wanted it to go. The way I thought it would," said Odoi-Atsem. "The toughest part — my body wasn’t used to hard grind."
However, The former DeMatha Catholic High School and University of Maryland standout didn’t let those challenges hold him back.
Odoi-Atsem goal shows what the defender can do on the soccer pitch after going through a horrific health scare and diagnosis.
"It was a great moment for me, said Odoi-Atsem in an interview with DC United media.
The Mitchellville, Maryland native has been a part of D.C. United's organization since 2017.
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