Chris Odoi-Atsem was born and raised in Mitchellville, Maryland and attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School and DeMatha Catholic High School.[2] where he played youth soccer for AC Bethesda in the National Capital Soccer League and eventually in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league. Odi-Atsem was a regular on the team from 2008 until 2013. Odoi-Atsem also played high school soccer for DeMatha Catholic High School, where he helped them win a state championship in 2011.
During the 2013 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, Odoi-Atsem made his college soccer debut, coming on as a sub in 3–3 draw against StanfordinPalo Alto, California on August 30, 2013.[3] On September 8, 2013, Odoi-Atsem scored his first collegiate goal in a 2–3 loss to VCU. He finished his freshman season making 25 appearances, and starting in 20 matches.
Odoi-Atsem earned his first conference honors during his sophomore year at Maryland. Following the end of the regular season, Odoi-Atsem earned First Team All-Big Ten Conference honors. Odoi-Atsem played in and started in all 21 games the Terrapins played during the 2014 season. During his junior year, Odoi-Atsem achieved Second Team All-Big Ten Conference honors and made 20 appearances for the Terrapins. As a senior, Odoi-Atsem was part of a Maryland squad that spent most of the 2016 NCAA Division I men's soccer season ranked first in the country. Odoi-Atsem earned First Team All-Big Ten honors, as well as NSCAA First Team All-Midwest Region.[4][5]
Odoi-Atsem was considered one of the top prospects in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft[6][7] and was selected with the 12th overall pick by D.C. United.[8][9] On April 30, 2017, Odoi-Atsem made his professional and MLS debut in a 3–1 away win at Atlanta United. Odoi-Atsem came on in the 90th minute for Lloyd Sam and played the final five minutes of stoppage time.[10] On November 28, 2017, his contract option with United was declined.[11] D.C. United re-signed Odoi-Atsem on February 16, 2018.[12]
He returned to the field after his battle with cancer on 29 May 2019, playing 67 minutes in a game against Chicago Fire.[13] Odoi-Astem played with D.C. United's USL affiliate, Loudoun United in 2019.
Odoi-Atsem scored his first goal for D.C. United on October 18, 2020, in a 2–1 win over FC Cincinnati.[14] On January 27, 2021, D.C. United re-signed Odoi-Atsem to a two-year contract with a 2023 option.[15]
Following the 2022 season, his contract option was declined by D.C. United.[16]
In July 2023, Odoi-Atsem made an appearance for National Premier Soccer League side Alexandria Reds. He came on as a 59th-minute substitute and scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 win away to Annapolis Blues.[17]
Odoi-Atsem is of Ghanaian descent through his parents.[18]
In October 2018, Odoi-Atsem was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, effectively ending his 2018 season with D.C. United as he began a chemotherapy regimen at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.[19] He completed his cancer treatment in January 2019.[20]
