D.C. United has announced that Chris Odoi-Atsem has been diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The 23-year-old defender is set to undergo four months of chemotherapy and sounded optimistic about his prognosis.
“I want to use my situation to raise awareness and help others in similar situations who are going through their own individual battles. This is only temporary, God will see me through and I will be back to where I’m supposed to be, on the soccer field,” Odoi-Atsem said of his diagnosis.
The University of Maryland product was drafted 12th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and has played sparingly for United in his two seasons with the club.
Odoi-Atsem has made 10 appearances (five starts) over two seasons, with injuries limiting him to just one appearance in 2018.