{{short description|Ghanaian footballer (born 1990)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Kofi Opare | image = Kofi Opare Indiana at Michigan men's soccer (6272775738) (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Opare with Michigan in 2011 | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|10|12}} | birth_place = Mampong, Ashanti, Ghana | height = 1.88 m | position = Defender | youthyears1 = 2007–2008 | youthclubs1 = St. Catharine's Concord Gunners | collegeyears1 = 2009–2012 | college1 = Michigan Wolverines | collegecaps1 = 76 | collegegoals1 = 6 | years1 = 2010–2012 | clubs1 = Michigan Bucks | caps1 = 6 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2012 | clubs2 = Detroit City | caps2 = 4 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2013–2014 | clubs3 = LA Galaxy | caps3 = 12 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2014 | clubs4 = → LA Galaxy II (loan) | caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2014–2018 | clubs5 = D.C. United | caps5 = 65 | goals5 = 3 | years6 = 2019 | clubs6 = Colorado Rapids | caps6 = 3 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2019 | clubs7 = → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) | caps7 = 2 | goals7 = 0 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | medaltemplates = | club-update = 20 April 2019 | nationalteam-update = }}
'''Kofi Opare''' (born October 12, 1990) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defender. He has previously appeared for Michigan Bucks, Detroit City, LA Galaxy, D.C. United, and Colorado Rapids.
==Early life== Opare was born on October 12, 1990, in Mampong, Ghana. His family lived in Pretoria, South Africa and Newark, New Jersey, United States before settling in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2013/01/ghana-home-depot-center-kofi-opares-journey-mls|title=From Ghana to The Home Depot Center: Kofi Opare's journey to MLS|author=Serrano, Adam|publisher=LAGalaxy.com|date=January 29, 2013|accessdate=February 22, 2014|archive-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227092113/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2013/01/ghana-home-depot-center-kofi-opares-journey-mls|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career==
===College and amateur=== After spending his youth career with St. Catharines Concord Gunners, Opare committed to the University of Michigan on March 4, 2009, where he would spend all four years of his college career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wolverines Add Nine Student-Athletes to 2009 Roster|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/030409aaa.html|work=MGoBlue|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=March 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305150859/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/030409aaa.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In his freshman year with the Wolverines, Opare made 14 appearances and scored his first collegiate goal on September 11 in a 3–0 victory over Wright State.<ref>{{cite web|title=Second-Half Barrage Gives Michigan Home Win Over Wright State|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/091109aad.html|work=MGoBlue|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=September 11, 2009}}</ref> He also went on to be named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wolverines Land Five on All-Big Ten Teams|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/111209aab.html|work=MGoBlue|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=November 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901064109/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/111209aab.html|archive-date=September 1, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, he made 25 appearances and helped lead Michigan to the College Cup semi-final where they would fall 2–1 to the eventual champion Akron Zips.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wolverines Fall One Game Short of NCAA Title Shot, Lose to No. 2 Akron|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/121110aaa.html|work=MGoBlue|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=December 10, 2010}}</ref> In 2011, Opare started all 20 games for the Wolverines and finished the year with two goals and one assist and was also named All-Big Ten Second Team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alashe, Opare on All-Big Ten Second Team, Arnone Voted All-Freshman|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/111011aaa.html|work=MGoBlue|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=November 10, 2011}}</ref> In his final season with Michigan, Opare made 17 appearances and finished the year with three goals.
During his time in college, Opare also played for Michigan Bucks in the USL Premier Development League<ref name=2010Bucks>{{cite web|url=http://www.buckssoccer.com/page/show/2405323-2010|title=2010 Michigan Bucks statistics|website=BucksSoccer.com|publisher=Michigan Bucks|accessdate=August 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430195712/http://www.buckssoccer.com/page/show/2405323-2010|archivedate=April 30, 2016}}</ref><ref name=2011Bucks>{{cite web|url=https://www.buckssoccer.com/page/show/2405322-2011|title=2011 Michigan Bucks statistics|website=BucksSoccer.com|publisher=Michigan Bucks|accessdate=August 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174225/https://www.buckssoccer.com/page/show/2405322-2011|archivedate=January 19, 2019}}</ref> and for Detroit City in the National Premier Soccer League.<ref name=DetroitStats>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/teams/41722524/44024122-44024025/TEAM.html|title=2012 Detroit City FC stats|website=NationalPremierSoccerLeague.com|publisher=National Premier Soccer League|accessdate=August 22, 2013|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904184735/http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/teams/41722524/44024122-44024025/TEAM.html|archive-date=September 4, 2012}}</ref>
===Professional=== On January 17, 2013, Opare was selected in the second round (24th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Los Angeles Galaxy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Opare Selected by LA Galaxy with 24th Pick in MLS SuperDraft|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/011713aaa.html|work=MGoBlue|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=January 17, 2013}}</ref> He signed his first professional contract with the club on March 11.<ref>{{cite web|title=LA Galaxy sign defender Kofi Opare|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2013/03/la-galaxy-sign-defender-kofi-opare|work=Los Angeles Galaxy|publisher=LA Galaxy Communications|accessdate=August 22, 2013|date=March 11, 2013}}</ref> On August 20, Opare made his professional debut for the club in a 2–0 victory over Costa Rican side Cartaginés in the CONCACAF Champions League.<ref>{{cite web|title=LA Galaxy 2, CS Cartagines 0 {{!}} CONCACAF Champions League Match Recap |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-20-LA-v-CRT/recap |work=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=August 22, 2013 |date=August 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823183346/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-08-20-LA-v-CRT/recap |archivedate=August 23, 2013 }}</ref>
Opare was traded to D.C. United in July 2014 with a second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for a swap in places in the MLS allocation order.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/07/dc-united-acquires-kofi-opare-from-la-galaxy| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140729220449/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/07/dc-united-acquires-kofi-opare-from-la-galaxy| archive-date = 2014-07-29| title = D.C. United acquires Kofi Opare from LA Galaxy {{!}} D.C. United}}</ref> He scored his first goal for United on May 13, 2015, against Orlando City.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=May 13, 2015|title=GOAL: Kofi Opare first ever goal for D.C. United ties the game up|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/05/13/goal-kofi-opare-first-ever-goal-d-c-united-ties-game|access-date=June 30, 2020|website=mlssoccer.com}}</ref> Opare stayed with D.C. through the 2018 season, at which time the club declined his 2019 contract option.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2018/11/28/dc-united-announce-contract-options|title=D.C. United announce contract options|last=|first=|date=28 November 2018|website=|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref>
On February 25, 2019, Opare joined Colorado Rapids.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/25/colorado-rapids-sign-center-back-kofi-opare| title = Colorado Rapids sign center back Kofi Opare {{!}} MLSSoccer.com}}</ref> His contract option was declined by the Rapids for the 2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/21/colorado-rapids-announce-roster-moves-ahead-2020-season|title=Colorado Rapids announce roster moves ahead of the 2020 season|last=|first=|date=November 21, 2019|website=|access-date=January 3, 2020}}</ref>
===International=== Opare was called up to a training camp in Trinidad and Tobago with the U.S. U-20 national team by Thomas Rongen in January 2009 ahead of the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rongen Names 19 Players to Travel to Trinidad & Tobago as Preparation for CONCACAF Championship|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/15/rongen-names-19-players-to-travel-to-trinidad-tobago-as-preparation-for-concacaf-championship|publisher=USsoccer|accessdate=July 30, 2014|date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> During the camp, the U.S played against the Trinidad U-17 team.
However, the then 18-year-old Opare was not called up to CONCACAF U-20 Championship roster as he was not eligible to play. In May 2008 FIFA had updated their regulations with immediate effect and required that players reside "continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant Association" to become eligible to play for a national team in a competitive game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yes to 6+5 and new WADA Code|url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/congress/news/newsid=783663/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824144957/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/congress/news/newsid=783663/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2012|publisher=FIFA.com|accessdate=July 30, 2014|date=May 30, 2008}}</ref> It was a measure put in place by FIFA to prevent countries offering citizenship to talented footballers and allowing them to play for the national team immediately despite not having any ties to the country.
The change in regulations meant that despite living in Ontario for four years as a teenager, Opare would not be eligible to represent Canada irrespective of holding citizenship unless he lives there for five years after the age of 18,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/05/04/his-stock-rising-dc-united-kofi-opare-looking-secure-canada-eligibility| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150505073343/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/05/04/his-stock-rising-dc-united-kofi-opare-looking-secure-canada-eligibility| archive-date = 2015-05-05| title = His stock rising at DC United, Kofi Opare looking to secure Canada national team eligibility {{!}} MLSsoccer.com}}</ref> Opare could however represent U.S. in competitive football as he meets those requirements for the U.S. Opare is also eligible to play for Ghana, the nation where he was born.
==Personal== Opare holds both U.S. and Canadian citizenship.<ref name=MLSprofile>{{MLS player|kofi-opare}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|April 20, 2019|<ref name=MLSprofile/><ref>{{Soccerway|kofi-opare/246820}}</ref>}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|Cup !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=4|Michigan Bucks |2010<ref name=2010Bucks/> |rowspan=3|PDL |1||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||0||0||1||0 |- |2011<ref name=2011Bucks/> |4||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||1{{efn|Appearance in the PDL playoffs}}||0||5||0 |- |2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/kofi-opare/|title=Kofi Opare at SoccerStats.us|website=SoccerStats.us|publisher=SoccerStats.us|accessdate=July 30, 2019}}</ref> |1||0||{{0}}||{{0}}||colspan=2|–||0||0||1+||0+ |- !colspan=2|Total !6!!0!!0+!!0+!!0!!0!!1!!0!!7+!!0+ |- |Detroit City |2012<ref name=DetroitStats/> |NPSL |4||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||0||0||4||0 |- |rowspan=3|LA Galaxy |2013 |rowspan=2|MLS |6||1||0||0||2{{efn|Appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League|name=CCL}}||0||2{{efn|Appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs|name=MLSP}}||0||10||1 |- |2014 |6||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||7||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !12!!1!!1!!0!!2!!0!!2!!0!!17!!1 |- |LA Galaxy II (loan) |2014 |USL Pro |5||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||0||0||5||0 |- |rowspan=6|D.C. United |2014 |rowspan=5|MLS |0||0||0||0||4{{efn|name=CCL}}||0||0||0||4||0 |- |2015 |18||1||2||1||4{{efn|name=CCL}}||2||2{{efn|name=MLSP}}||0||26||4 |- |2016 |10||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||11||0 |- |2017 |26||2||1||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||27||2 |- |2018 |11||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||0||0||11||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !65!!3!!4!!1!!8!!2!!2!!0!!79!!6 |- |Colorado Rapids |2019 |MLS |3||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||0||0||3||0 |- |Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) |2019 |USL Championship |2||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||2||0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !97!!4!!5!!1!!10!!2!!5!!0!!117+!!7+ |} {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{MLS player|kofi-opare}} *[http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/opare_kofi00.html University of Michigan bio] *{{Twitter}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Opare, Kofi}} Category:Living people Category:1990 births Category:Ghanaian men's footballers Category:Footballers from Ashanti Region Category:Ghanaian emigrants to Canada Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Michigan Wolverines men's soccer players Category:Flint City Bucks players Category:LA Galaxy draft picks Category:LA Galaxy players Category:Ventura County FC players Category:D.C. United players Category:Colorado Rapids players Category:Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players Category:USL League Two players Category:National Premier Soccer League players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:USL Championship players Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:21st-century Ghanaian sportsmen