Kofi Sarkodie

{{about|the soccer player|the Ghanaian-American professional wrestler whose real name is Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah|Kofi Kingston}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Kofi Sarkodie

| image = 08 Kofi Sarkodie 020511.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Sarkodie at the Houston Dynamo's ground breaking

| fullname = Kofi Kwarteng Frempong Sarkodie

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|3|22}}

| birth_place = Dayton, Ohio, United States

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2006–2008

| youthclubs1 = IMG Soccer Academy

| collegeyears1 = 2008–2010

| collegecaps1 = 69

| collegegoals1 =12

| college1 = Akron Zips

| years1 = 2010

| clubs1 = Michigan Bucks

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2011–2015

| clubs2 = Houston Dynamo

| caps2 = 98

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2016–2017

| clubs3 = San Jose Earthquakes

| caps3 = 32

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2018

| clubs4 = Trelleborgs FF

| caps4 = 11

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2021

| clubs5 = Austin Bold

| caps5 = 22

| goals5 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2006–2008

| nationalteam1 = United States U17

| nationalcaps1 = 17

| nationalgoals1 = 3

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2009

| nationalteam2 = United States U18

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2010–2011

| nationalteam3 = United States U20

| nationalcaps3 = 3

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2012

| nationalteam4 = United States U23

| nationalcaps4 = 3

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| medaltemplates =

| club-update = November 6, 2021

| nationalteam-update =

}}

Kofi Kwarteng Frempong Sarkodie (born March 22, 1991) is an American soccer player.{{Cite web |title=Kofi Kwarteng Frempong Sarkodie Stats - Goals, Blocks, xG, xA {{!}} FootyStats |url=https://footystats.org/players/usa/kofi-kwarteng-frempong-sarkodie |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=footystats.org |language=en}}

Career

=Youth, college and amateur=

After graduating from the IMG Soccer Academy in 2008, Sarkodie attended the University of Akron.{{Cite web|date=2009-09-18|title=Sarkodie brothers are soccer royalty|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/news/story?id=4484319|access-date=2021-01-27|website=ESPN.com|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie - Men's Soccer|url=https://gozips.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kofi-sarkodie/2053|access-date=2021-01-27|website=University of Akron Athletics|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=2019 Akron Men's Soccer Media Guide (PDF)|url=https://gozips.com/documents/2019/8/30/2019msocguide.pdf|access-date=2021-01-27|website=University of Akron Athletics|language=en}}

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.{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Travis|date=13 January 2011|title=Akron sets new record for SuperDraft success|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/akron-sets-new-record-superdraft-success|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=Major League Soccer}} He made his professional debut on March 25, getting the start in a 1–1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2011 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2011/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} 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 Cup 2011.{{Cite web|title=2011 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/509/2011-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Lovell|first=Darrell|date=April 6, 2011|title=Dynamo eliminated from Open Cup in OT|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2011/04/07/dynamo-eliminated-open-cup-ot|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=Houston Dynamo}}

During the 2012 season, Sarkodie barely played for the first 6 months, making 2 appearances for 20 minutes total during the first 26 MLS games.{{Cite web|last=Roepken|first=Corey|date=2012-11-11|title=Sarkodie, Ashe add versatility to Dynamo's defense|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Sarkodie-Ashe-add-versatility-to-Dynamo-s-defense-4026762.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Chron|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|date=2012-10-06|title=Dynamo's Sarkodie earns his chance in starting lineup|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-s-Sarkodie-earns-his-chance-in-starting-3923892.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Chron|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2012 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2012/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} In August, Sarkodie played well in CONCACAF Champions League play and earned himself more league minutes, making a substitute appearance on September 2 in a 3–1 loss to the Chicago Fire. He made his first MLS start of the season four days later in a 1–0 win over Real Salt Lake and started Houston's final 7 MLS games of the season. Sarkodie ended the 2012 MLS regular season with 10 appearances and 1 assist, helping the Dynamo finish 5th in the East and qualify for the playoffs.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Kofi Sarkodie|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kofi-sarkodie|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=Major League Soccer}}{{Cite web|title=2012 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/577/2012-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} On November 11, he scored his first professional goal to help Houston to a 3–1 victory against D.C. United in leg 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Sarkodie started all 6 of Houston's games and scored 1 goal during the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs, helping the Dynamo reach MLS Cup 2012, where Houston lost to the LA Galaxy for the second straight year, this time by a score of 3–1. Sarkodie also made 3 appearances and had 1 assists during the Champions League group stage, helping Houston finish top of their group.{{Cite web|title=USA - K. Sarkodie - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kofi-sarkodie/180655/matches/|access-date=2021-01-27|website=int.soccerway.com}}

On March 2, 2013, Sarkodie started the Dynamo's opening match of the season, a 2–0 win over D.C. United.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2013 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2013/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} Sarkodie appeared in 33 of Houston's 34 MLS regular season matches, all of them starts, as well as picking up 4 assists. He helped the Dynamo finish 4th in the Eastern Conference and qualify for the playoffs.{{Cite web|title=2013 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/643/2013-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} On November 6, Sarkodie picked up an assist in extra time to help Houston defeat the New York Red Bulls 2–1 in leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, giving the Dynamo a 4–3 aggregate win. He played the full match in all 5 of Houston's playoff games as they reached the Conference Finals, where they lost 2–1 to Sporting Kansas City on aggregate. During the season, Sarkodie also played once in the Open Cup, played in both legs of Houston's 2012–13 CCL quarterfinals aggregate loss to Santos Laguna, and made 3 appearances during the 2013–14 CCL group stage, as the Dynamo finished 2nd in their group, failing to advance. Following the season, Sarkodie was named the 2013 Dynamo Defensive Player of the Year.

Sarkodie enjoyed another strong season in 2014, making 32 MLS appearances, all starts, and recording 4 assists. However, it was a poor season for Houston as a team, finishing 8th in the conference and missing out on the playoffs.{{Cite web|title=2014 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/708/2014-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} He also made 2 Open Cup appearances during the season.

In the opening game of the 2015 season, Sarkodie collided heads with teammate Raúl Rodríguez early during a match against the Columbus Crew, creating a rather large gash on Sarkodie's head. The trainers wrapped up his head and gave him a clean jersey without blood, and Sarkodie returned to the game. Later in the match, the referee ordered Sarkodie off the pitch so the trainers could re-bandage his head and give him another clean jersey, this time without his name and number on the back. Soon after returning to the field, Sarkodie picked up an assist after setting up Giles Barnes, giving Houston a 1–0 win.{{Cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|date=2015-03-08|title=Injured Sarkodie perseveres in victorious Dynamo season opener|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-season-debut-6121680.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Chron|language=en-US}} Sarkodie ended the regular season with 16 appearances and 1 assist, but saw his playing time decrease towards the end of the season as he dealt with a bone bruise in his right knee.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2015 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2015/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2015-08-26|title=Scouting report: Dynamo at Colorado|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/dynamo/article/Scouting-report-Dynamo-at-Colorado-6465640.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=HoustonChronicle.com|language=en-US}} It was another disappointing season for Houston, as they missed out on the playoffs after finishing 8th in the Western Conference.{{Cite web|title=2015 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1369/2015-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}}

File:Kofi Sarkodie.jpg

== San Jose Earthquakes ==

On April 1, 2016, Sarkodie joined the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for targeted allocation money in a sign-and-trade deal with Houston, reuniting him with former Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.{{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Alicia|date=April 1, 2016|title=San Jose Earthquakes acquire defender Kofi Sarkodie in trade with Houston|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/01/san-jose-earthquakes-acquire-defender-kofi-sarkodie-trade-houston|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=8 May 2016|website=Major League Soccer}}{{Cite web|last=Roepken|first=Corey|date=2016-04-01|title=Dynamo send Kofi Sarkodie to San Jose|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-send-Kofi-Sarkodie-to-San-Jose-7223495.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Chron|language=en-US}} He made his Earthquakes debut on April 16, playing the full match in a 3–1 loss to the Portland Timbers.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2016 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2016/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} In July, Sarkodie suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for months.{{Cite web|date=2016-08-18|title=Earthquakes resume run at MLS playoff berth|url=https://www.unknown.com/sports/20160818/earthquakes-resume-run-at-mls-playoff-berth|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Times-Herald|language=en-US}} He ended his first season in San Jose with 13 MLS appearances and 1 in the Open Cup as the Earthquakes finished 9th in the Western Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs.{{Cite web|title=2016 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1503/2016-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}}

On January 26, 2017, Sarkodie signed a new contract with San Jose.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 26, 2017|title=NEWS: Earthquakes Sign Defender Kofi Sarkodie to New Contract|url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2017/01/26/news-earthquakes-sign-defender-kofi-sarkodie-new-contract|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=SJ Earthquakes}} He made 18 appearances and had 1 assist during the regular season, helping the Earthquakes finish 6th in the Western Conference and qualify for the playoffs.{{Cite web|title=2017 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1558/2017-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}} Sarkodie got the start in San Jose's opening game of the playoffs, a 5–0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2017 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2017/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-27|website=FBref.com|language=en}}

His contract with the Earthquakes expired following the 2017 season.{{cite web|title=NEWS: Earthquakes Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2018 MLS Season|url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2017/11/27/news-earthquakes-announce-roster-moves-ahead-2018-mls-season|publisher=San Jose Earthquakes|date=27 Nov 2017|access-date=1 March 2018}}

== Trelleborgs FF ==

On July 13, 2018, Sarkodie signed with Swedish Allsvenskan club Trelleborgs FF.{{Cite web|last=Berséus|first=Lotta Lövdén|title=Förändringar i försvaret – Kontrakt klart med den amerikanske försvararen Kofi Sarkodie och Victor Nilsson lämnar klubben|url=http://www.trelleborgsff.se/nyheter/post/2542|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Trelleborgs FF|language=sv}} He made his debut on July 30, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 loss to Hammarby IF.{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie 2018 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/matchlogs/2018/summary/Kofi-Sarkodie-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-28|website=FBref.com|language=en}} Sarkodie made 11 appearances for Trelleborgs as they finished last in the Allsvenskan and were relegated to the Superettan. He left the club at the end of 2018.[http://fotbolltransfers.com/site/news/101297 Officiellt: Fem spelare lämnar Trelleborgs FF], fotbolltransfers.com, 3 December 2018

== Austin Bold FC ==

On February 27, 2021, Sarkodie returned to professional soccer and the state of Texas by signing with Austin Bold FC of the USL Championship.{{cite web |title=AUSTIN BOLD FC SIGNS MLS VETERAN KOFI SARKODIE FOR 2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON |url=https://www.austinboldfc.com/news_article/show/1148801 |website=AustinBoldFC.com |publisher=Austin Bold FC |access-date=27 February 2021}}

International

Sarkodie was a member of the U.S. U-17 in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He also played for the U-18, U-20, and U-23 national teams.

Career statistics

{{Updated|January 26, 2021}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Kofi Sarkodie|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kofi-sarkodie|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Major League Soccer}}{{Cite web|title=USA - K. Sarkodie - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kofi-sarkodie/180655/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=int.soccerway.com}}{{Cite web|title=Kofi Sarkodie Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/c98d4b4d/Kofi-Sarkodie|access-date=2021-01-26|website=FBref.com|language=en}}

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ ! rowspan="2" \|Club ! rowspan="2" \|Season ! colspan="3" \|League ! colspan="2" \|Cup{{efn\|Includes U.S. Open Cup and Svenska Cupen}} ! colspan="2" \|Playoffs{{efn\|Includes MLS Cup Playoffs}} ! colspan="2" \|Continental ! colspan="2" \|Total
rowspan="6" \|Houston Dynamo	2011	rowspan="5" \|MLS \|7	0	1	0	0	0	colspan="2" \|—	8	0
2012 \|10	0	0	0	6	1	3Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League	0	19	1
2013 \|33	0	1	0	5	0	5Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League	0	44	0
2014 \|32	0	2	0	colspan="2" \|—	colspan="2" \|—	34	0
2015 \|16	0	3	0	colspan="2" \|—	colspan="2" \|—	19	0
colspan="2" \|Dynamo Total !98	0	7	0	11	1	8	0	124	1
rowspan="3" \|San Jose Earthquakes	2016	rowspan="2" \|MLS \|13	0	1	0	colspan="2" \|—	colspan="2" \|—	14	0
2017 \|18	0	2	0	1	0	colspan="2" \|—	21	0
colspan="2" \|Earthquakes Total	31	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	35	0
Trelleborgs FF	2018	Allsvenskan \|11	0	0	0	colspan="2" \|—	colspan="2" \|—	11	0
colspan="3" \|Career Total	140	0	10	0	12	1	8	0	170	1

Honors

= University of Akron =

NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship: 2010
Mid-American Conference Tournament: 2008, 2009, 2010

= Individual =

NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament Defensive Most Outstanding Player: 2010{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=December 12, 2010|title=The New Gold Standard: Men's Soccer Captures National Title|url=http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2010-11/releases/205054366_1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005944/http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2010-11/releases/205054366_1|archive-date=March 5, 2016|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=gozips.com}}
Soccer America Player of the Year Award: 2010{{Cite web|title=Maryland's Mullins repeats as Men's Player of the Year|url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/55813/marylands-mullins-repeats-as-mens-player-of-the.html|access-date=2021-01-26|website=www.socceramerica.com|language=en}}
Dynamo Defensive Player of the Year: 2013{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Dynamo Awards|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/history/awards|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Houston Dynamo}}

Personal life

Sarkodie was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. His parents, Amaning and Olivia, are both originally from Kumasi, Ghana.{{Cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|date=2011-03-19|title=Dynamo's Sarkodie tries to pursue soccer career, degree|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-s-Sarkodie-tries-to-pursue-soccer-career-1597363.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Chron|language=en-US}} Olivia's mother, Kofi's grandmother, was the tribal queen of her village.{{Cite web|last=Bell|first=Jack|date=2011-02-24|title=A Promising Rookie Gives Houston and M.L.S. the Royal Treatment|url=https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/a-promising-rookie-gives-houston-and-m-l-s-the-royal-treatment/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Goal|language=en-US}} Sarkodie has two brothers, Kwame and Ofori, and one sister, Mimi. Kwame played college soccer for Cincinnati while Ofori played for Indiana.