# Derek Dodson

Derek Dodson (born November 3, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a wing-back for Major League Soccer club D.C. United.

## Early years

Dodson was born in Naperville, Illinois. Growing up he was a three-year starter and one-year captain during his five seasons with the Sockers FC academy. The club qualified for the playoffs in all five years and Dodson was named to the 2017 USSDA Central Conference Best XI.

### Georgetown Hoyas

Dodson played college soccer at Georgetown University, scoring 32 goals in 72 appearances for the Georgetown Hoyas between 2017 and 2021.
He appeared in all 20 games as a freshman but was limited to seven starts. Despite this he led the Hoyas in scoring with 10 goals, including three game-winners, and was named Big East Freshman of the Year.
Having secured a starting role as a sophomore, Dodson was a two-time First Team All-Big East selection in 2018 and 2019 and also earned United Soccer Coaches All-America third team honors in 2019. During Georgetown's College Cup winning season in 2019, Dodson scored a career-high 11 goals as Georgetown won all three competitions they played in: defending the Big East regular season title, winning a third consecutive Big East tournament, and claiming the first National Championship in program history. Dodson scored an 81st minute go-ahead goal in the final before fellow future Orlando City draftee Daryl Dike equalized five minutes later to take the game into overtime with the scores level at 3–3. Georgetown ultimately won in a penalty shoot-out.
After the postponement of the 2020 fall season until spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dodson elected to return as a senior despite having been drafted by Orlando City in January 2021. He made a further sevens appearances for the Hoyas until his departure for Orlando in April having helped the team top the conference spring series standings. He was named to the Big East All-Conference first team at the end of regular season awards.
While at college, Dodson appeared for Premier Development League side North County United in 2018, scoring two goals in six appearances.

## Club career
### Orlando City

On January 21, 2021, Dodson was selected in the first round (8th overall) of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City. Orlando had traded $100,000 in general allocation money to Portland Timbers earlier in the day to acquire the pick. Dodson missed preseason camp, electing to return to Georgetown to play during the delayed college season, but was eventually signed by the team on April 28 to a one-year contract with three separate option years.

### Hartford Athletic

Having not yet featured in a matchday squad for Orlando City, Dodson was loaned to USL Championship side Hartford Athletic on July 9, 2021. He made his professional debut the following day as a 42nd-minute substitute replacing Richie Schlentz against New York Red Bulls II and scored in the 86th minute as Hartford came from two goals down to tie 2–2 in stoppage time. He scored again three days later, the only goal in a 1–0 win over Tampa Bay Rowdies. He scored five goals in 22 appearances as Hartford finished fifth in the Atlantic Division. Dodson had his contract option declined by Orlando City at the end of the 2021 season.

### Memphis 901

On February 18, 2022, Dodson signed with USL Championship side Memphis 901 ahead of their upcoming 2022 season.

### Charleston Battery

On December 15, 2022, it was announced Dodson had moved to USL Championship side Charleston Battery to reunite with recently appointed head coach Ben Pirmann, who had coached Memphis for the 2022 season. Dodson was a key figure in the Battery's Eastern Conference title and run to the 2023 USL Championship Final, recording three goals and five assists in 38 games across the regular season and playoffs. He became a free agent following Charleston's 2023 season.

### Minnesota United

Dodson joined Major League Soccer club Minnesota United on January 15, 2024. He joined USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC on a season-long loan from May 22, 2024.

### D.C. United

In December 2024, D.C. United selected Dodson in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft, and subsequently signed him on December 31 to one-year contract with an option for an additional year.

## Personal life

Two of Dodson's older siblings also played college soccer. His brother, Ryan, played for the North Carolina Tar Heels (2011) and Denver Pioneers (2012–14). His sister, Kristen, played for the Auburn Tigers (2014–17).

## Career statistics
### College

| School | Season | Division | Apps | Goals |
| Georgetown Hoyas | 2017 | Div. I | 20 | 10 |
| Georgetown Hoyas | 2018 | Div. I | 21 | 9 |
| Georgetown Hoyas | 2019 | Div. I | 24 | 11 |
| Georgetown Hoyas | 2020–21 | Div. I | 7 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 72 | 32 |

### Club

    As of February 22, 2025
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Playoffs | Playoffs | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| North County United | 2018 | PDL | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 |
| Orlando City | 2021 | MLS | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hartford Athletic (loan) | 2021 | USL Championship | 22 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 22 | 5 |
| Memphis 901 FC | 2022 | USL Championship | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 1 |
| Charleston Battery | 2023 | USL Championship | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 39 | 3 |
| Minnesota United | 2024 | MLS | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota United 2 | 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Birmingham Legion (loan) | 2024 | USL Championship | 23 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 |
| D.C. United | 2025 | MLS | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 98 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 105 | 12 |

## Honors

Georgetown Hoyas
* Big East Conference regular season: 2018, 2019
* Big East Conference Tournament: 2017, 2018, 2019
* NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament: 2019
Individual
* Big East Freshman of the Year: 2017