Ghana’s Birdman Soars To New Heights In MLS

Ghanaian striker Dominic Oduro of the Chicago Fire says he got the nickname Birdman when he was based in Texas with his first Major League Soccer club, FC Dallas. In a phone interview with the Voice of America, the 26-year-old Oduro said the Dallas fans, so impressed with his speed on the pitch, said “he had wings and could fly on the field.”

The Birdman is soaring to new heights in his sixth MLS season. Through 28 matches, he has 10 goals, putting him two behind league leaders Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan. Oduro’s previous high in MLS was five goals. He told VOA it’s been a great season and he credits his success to gaining more experience and learning at each of his four MLS stops. Oduro has also played for the Houston Dynamo and he had a brief stint with the New York Red Bulls.

You’ll see Oduro’s speed on display in this video of a goal he scored earlier this season against the New England Revolution.

Before turning professional, Oduro played soccer at Prempeh College and the University of Ghana in his homeland, before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. He likes to wear a wristband with the Ghanaian flag on it during matches. “I’m born and raised Ghanaian,” says Oduro, “and I love my country. I always want Ghana to be part of me and that’s why I have that wristband.”