Chris Odoi-Atsem and Alex Crognale have spent the last four years playing alongside each other at the University of Maryland. The two Terp defensive standouts are now on divergent paths.
After anchoring the Maryland defensive unit during the last four years, Odoi-Atsem and Crognale will be playing professionally for their hometown teams. On Jan. 13, Odoi-Atsem was selected in the first round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft by D.C. United. Crognale entered the league Dec. 20, when he signed a homegrown player contract with the Columbus Crew.
Odoi-Atsem has spent his entire life in the Washington area. Now, the former soccer standout at DeMatha Catholic High School and Maryland will be making a living at nearby RFK Stadium. The Mitchellville, Md., native was the 12th overall pick and the 19th former Terp chosen in the draft's opening round since the league's first season in 1996. Odoi-Atsem will join two former Maryland players, defender Taylor Kemp and forward Patrick Mullins, on the D.C. United squad.
