Derek Dodson Bio
Derek Dodson (born November 3, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a wing-back. After an impressive youth career at Sockers FC, he went on to play for the Georgetown Hoyas where he was notably recognized for his performance, contributing to the team’s success during his college years. Drafted by Orlando City in 2021, Dodson has also had stints with teams like Hartford Athletic and Memphis 901 before signing with D.C. United.
Standing 183 cm tall, the Naperville, Illinois native has built a career that spans Major League Soccer and the USL Championship. His route through college soccer, the MLS SuperDraft, and multiple professional clubs has shaped him into a versatile wide player known for goalscoring contributions and reliable two-way work.
Early Life and Background
Derek Dodson was born in Naperville, Illinois, and grew up in a family with a strong soccer tradition. Two of his older siblings also played college soccer, with his brother Ryan competing for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2011 and the Denver Pioneers from 2012 to 2014, and his sister Kristen playing for the Auburn Tigers between 2014 and 2017. That family connection to the sport helped shape his early development and his understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level.
Dodson came through the Sockers FC academy, where he spent five seasons in the youth setup. He was a three-year starter and served as a one-year captain during his time with the club, helping Sockers FC qualify for the playoffs in every one of those five seasons. His standout 2017 campaign earned him a spot on the USSDA Central Conference Best XI, marking him as one of the top youth players in the region before his college career began.
Path to Professional Soccer
Following his youth career with Sockers FC, Dodson committed to Georgetown University, where he joined a competitive college soccer program and quickly established himself as a key contributor. His development through the college ranks, combined with the family soccer background that had shaped his early years, prepared him for the jump to the professional level and eventual entry into Major League Soccer.
While at Georgetown, Dodson also gained semi-professional experience with Premier Development League side North County United in 2018, scoring two goals in six appearances. That off-season opportunity gave him early exposure to senior-level competition and helped bridge the gap between academy soccer and the professional ranks.
Derek Dodson Career
Early Career at Georgetown (2017–2021)
Derek Dodson played college soccer at Georgetown University from 2017 to 2021, scoring 32 goals in 72 appearances for the Georgetown Hoyas. As a freshman he appeared in all 20 games but was limited to seven starts, yet he still led the Hoyas in scoring with 10 goals, including three game-winners, and was named Big East Freshman of the Year.
He secured a starting role as a sophomore and went on to become a two-time First Team All-Big East selection in 2018 and 2019. In 2019 he also earned United Soccer Coaches All-America third team honors and scored a career-high 11 goals during Georgetown’s College Cup-winning season, when the Hoyas won all three competitions they entered: the Big East regular season title, a third consecutive Big East tournament, and the program’s first National Championship. After the 2020 fall season was postponed until spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dodson returned as a senior and made a further seven appearances before departing for Orlando City in April, having helped Georgetown top the conference spring series standings. He was named to the Big East All-Conference first team at the end of that season.
Orlando City and Early Professional Loans (2021)
On January 21, 2021, Derek Dodson was selected in the first round, eighth overall, of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City, after Orlando had traded $100,000 in general allocation money to Portland Timbers earlier that day to acquire the pick. Dodson initially missed preseason camp to return to Georgetown for the delayed college season, but was eventually signed by Orlando City on April 28 to a one-year contract with three separate option years.
Having not yet featured in a matchday squad for Orlando City, Dodson was loaned to USL Championship side Hartford Athletic on July 9, 2021, where he made his professional debut the following day as a 42nd-minute substitute against New York Red Bulls II, scoring in the 86th minute as Hartford came from two goals down to tie 2-2. He scored again three days later in a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay Rowdies and finished the campaign with five goals in 22 appearances as Hartford ended fifth in the Atlantic Division. His contract option was declined by Orlando City at the end of the 2021 season.
Memphis 901 and Charleston Battery (2022–2023)
On February 18, 2022, Dodson signed with USL Championship side Memphis 901 ahead of their 2022 season, taking on a more prominent role in a consistent first-team environment. His performances in Memphis quickly drew attention from other clubs in the league.
On December 15, 2022, it was announced that Dodson had moved to USL Championship side Charleston Battery to reunite with recently appointed head coach Ben Pirmann, who had coached Memphis during the 2022 season. Dodson became a key figure in Charleston’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, Birmingham Legion, and D.C. United (2024)
Dodson joined Major League Soccer club Minnesota United on January 15, 2024, before being sent on a season-long loan to USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC on May 22, 2024. The loan gave him another full season of regular senior football in a competitive environment.
In December 2024, D.C. United selected Dodson in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft and subsequently signed him on December 31, 2024, to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, bringing him back into Major League Soccer and setting the stage for his next chapter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dodson is recognized for his attacking instincts on the wing, demonstrated by his 32 goals in 72 college appearances and consistent scoring output at the USL Championship level with Hartford Athletic, Memphis 901, and Charleston Battery. His ability to deliver from wide positions, both as a scorer and as a creator, has been a defining feature throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of his career, Dodson scored an 81st-minute go-ahead goal in the 2019 College Cup final, a match Georgetown ultimately won in a penalty shoot-out to claim its first National Championship. He also reached the 2023 USL Championship Final with Charleston Battery and made a memorable professional debut for Hartford Athletic in 2021, scoring within minutes of coming on as a substitute.
Derek Dodson Career Wins
Derek Dodson’s most prominent team trophy came in 2019, when he helped the Georgetown Hoyas win the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship, the first National Championship in program history. In addition, the Hoyas defended the Big East regular season title and won a third consecutive Big East tournament that same season.
Georgetown Hoyas Highlights
Across his five years at Georgetown, Dodson scored 32 goals in 72 appearances and led the Hoyas in scoring as a freshman with 10 goals, a mark that earned him Big East Freshman of the Year honors. His two First Team All-Big East selections came in 2018 and 2019, the same year he recorded a career-high 11 goals and helped deliver a National Championship.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond college, Dodson played a leading role in Charleston’s 2023 Eastern Conference title and run to the USL Championship Final, finishing that campaign with three goals and five assists in 38 matches. His five goals in 22 appearances for Hartford Athletic during the 2021 USL Championship season also stand out as a strong professional debut year.
Derek Dodson Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Derek Dodson comes from a family with deep roots in soccer. His older brother, Ryan, played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2011 and for the Denver Pioneers from 2012 to 2014. His older sister, Kristen, played for the Auburn Tigers between 2014 and 2017. That family tradition helped shape Derek’s path into the sport from an early age.
Personal Life
Born in Naperville, Illinois, Derek Dodson grew up immersed in the game and developed through the Sockers FC academy before heading to Georgetown University. He has built his professional career in the United States, currently based with D.C. United after signing in late 2024.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Derek Dodson is in place at D.C. United after signing a one-year contract with an option for an additional year on December 31, 2024, following his selection in Stage 2 of the 2024 Re-Entry Draft. The deal gives the club flexibility and gives Dodson a fresh opportunity to establish himself in Major League Soccer after previous MLS stints with Orlando City and Minnesota United.
Coming off a strong 2023 USL Championship campaign with Charleston Battery and a 2024 loan spell at Birmingham Legion FC, Dodson arrives in Washington with a track record of goals and assists at the second-tier level. His experience across multiple systems, from Ben Pirmann’s group in Charleston to varied USL environments, suggests he could compete for minutes on the wing from the outset of the new season.
The outlook for 2025 centers on whether Dodson can translate his USL production into a consistent MLS role. With a roster spot secured and familiarity with the professional game, he is positioned to push for regular playing time and contribute to D.C. United’s wide attacking options across the campaign.