Kofi Sarkodie lays the ball into the path of Giles Barnes for the Dynamo’s opening goal during Houston’s 2015 match against Columbus.
The San Jose Earthquakes have added depth in defense today with the acquisition of Kofi Sarkodie from the Houston Dynamo. The terms of the sign-and-trade were not disclosed as per team policy.
Injuries to Shaun Francis, Jordan Stewart, and offseason signing Andres Imperiale have thinned out the Quakes defense and given playing opportunities to rookie Kip Colvey.
Signing Sarkodie will likely mean Colvey will come off the bench once Sarkodie is acclimated to the team but it will also mean San Jose has a proven defensive option on the bench again.
The following is the full press release from the San Jose Earthquakes:
Earthquakes Acquire Former U.S. Youth National Team Defender Kofi Sarkodie in Trade with Houston Dynamo
Former 7th overall SuperDraft selection heads to San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has acquired defender Kofi Sarkodie from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for Targeted Allocation Money.
Sarkodie, 25, appeared in 98 games (94 starts) for the Houston Dynamo after being drafted with the seventh overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. In addition to tallying 10 assists from 2011-15, he scored in a 3-1 win over D.C. United in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals to help the club advance to MLS Cup. He was later named the Dynamo Defender of the Year in 2013 after leading the club in minutes played that season.
“Kofi is a good professional, works hard and is versatile,” said Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear. “He can play either side, right or left. He can spell you in the midfield if you need that too. Good attitude, good person, is going to fit well into the locker room and adds good depth to our squad. We know he can play and he’s going to help us.”
Sarkodie, who holds both American and Ghanaian passports, attended the University of Akron, where he received numerous accolades. Over his first two seasons, he was named Soccer America All-Freshman First Team (2008) and First Team All-Mac (2008, 2009), before having a breakout year in 2010. During his junior season, Sarkodie was named First Team All-Mac, the ESPN Academic All-American of the Year, NSCAA All-America First Team, Soccer America Player of the Year, College Soccer News All-America First Team, the College Cup Most Outstanding Defender, College Cup All-Tournament Team and helped the Akron Zips win the College Cup championship.
A product of the U.S. Youth National Team system, Sarkodie has represented the red, white and blue at several levels, including U-20 and U-23. He was also a member of the U.S. U-17s at the 2007 U-17 FIFA World Cup in South Korea.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes acquireD Kofi Sarkodie in a sign-and-trade with the Houston Dynamo in exchange for Targeted Allocation Money.
Kofi Sarkodie
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165 lbs.
Born: Mar. 22, 1991 in Dayton, OH
Hometown: Huber Heights, OH
Last Club: Houston Dynamo
Citizenship: USA and Ghana
San Jose Earthquakes
