PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017
In his fourth year with D.C. United, Opare had a career year, setting season highs in games played (26), starts (25), minutes (2,214), goals (2), assists (1) and shots (32). Opare was an aerial threat on set pieces and had the second most headed shots (24) in MLS behind Seattle’s Clint Dempsey. For his performance in 2017, Opare was named United’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Ghanaian was also named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 22) for his performance and goal against Toronto FC in the 1-1 draw on Aug. 5. Opare was also nominated for the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
2016
In his third season with D.C. United, Kofi Opare started 10 matches in the Black-and-Red backline. The 26-year-old earned a nomination to the MLS Team of the Week in Week 13 for his performance in the shutout win against Sporting KC on May 27. After sustaining an injury in training in August, Opare returned to the field in Orlando when he started and played 90 minutes in the final match of the regular season against Orlando City SC on Oct. 23.
2015
Opare has been an important part of the Black-and-Red defense all season. He made his season debut on March 28, replacing an injured Steven Birnbaum in the fifth minute. Opare started his first MLS match at Orlando City on April 3. The defender scored his first Black-and-Red goal in United’s 2-1 win over Orlando City on May 13. He started all four games in the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League as well as both matches in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Opare is one of two D.C. United players to score in MLS play, Open Cup and SCCL in 2015 (Arrieta).
2014
Following his acquisition from the Galaxy, Opare did not appear during the regular season for the Black-and-Red, but he started in all four of the team’s CONCACAF Champions League group stage games. Started six games for the LA Galaxy and helped the team to one shutout before being traded.
2013
Selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the second round (24th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Opare appeared in six games during his rookie year, scoring one goal against the Montreal Impact on 10/16.
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
2009-2012: Opare was named Second Team All-Big Ten in 2011. Opare played in 14 games as a freshman, starting in 10, while scoring one goal. Opare was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
PREP
Graduated St. Paul Catholic High School in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he starred for the soccer team.
CLUB
Played for St. Catharine's Concord Gunners. Won Ontario Cup in 2007-2008. Represented Ontario at the Canadian Club national championship in 2007, where the team took fourth place.
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Former member of the US U-20 national team, playing in two games.
PERSONAL
Holds both Canadian and US nationality.
ACQUIRED
July 29, 2014 - Traded from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a trade of allocation rankings. Additionally, United received the Galaxy’s 2015 natural SuperDraft selection.
