The growth of Manu Duah is impressive for San Diego FC as they get great value from their draft pick. 

Manu Duah was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by San Diego FC.

The native of Ghana came to SDFC with minimal experience, and the pick was considered a surprise.

The centre-back played only one season as a freshman at UC Santa Barbara, where he started in all 14 of his appearances for the team. The squad made it to round 2 of the NCAA tournament before falling to UCLA. Duah played well in his brief NCAA stint, and most knew he would one day play in the MLS.

There was not a lot to see of Duah against the upper echelons of the sport, but that did not stop San Diego FC. They saw the ability in the young defender and chose him with their No.1 pick. “With Manu, it was very, very obvious that this is a player with tremendous potential. A player who’s already good but can improve a lot,” coach Mikey Varas told reporters in a virtual press conference after the draft. “He can be a player who dominates MLS in a few years.”

Most top picks aren’t necessarily used on defenders, but Duah provides more than that. His demeanor in the locker room and his quest to get better are something the young franchise wanted to see. Duah is not complacent about his position with the team. He feels blessed.

“It was a really exciting day for me so far, most of my life, and I was happy to get to San Diego,” said Duah earlier this year to the SDFC website. “I always wanted to come here. I didn’t want to go to a different place.” There is no doubt that San Diego is a great place for a professional athlete. Duah knows this and is enjoying every moment of it.

The athletic Duah made his MLS debut on June 25 in a 5-3 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps. A huge win for SDFC at the time. Since breaking into San Diego’s starting lineup midseason, he has been a key part of one of the league’s most successful expansion campaigns ever.

At the beginning of his career, Duah made some mistakes on the field but showed tremendous ability to recover. San Diego’s possession-style of play can be stressful to defenders, but Duah is showing the composure of a seasoned veteran. His long legs and great size (6-foot-4) allow him to simply maneuver back into position if briefly caught out of it by a ball handler.

Major League Soccer released its 2025, 22 players Under-22 player rankings on October 8. Manu Duah of the San Diego FC ranked No. 15 on the annual list of the league’s top young talents. He was the only player among the 22 to have played NCAA soccer during their career.

San Diego FC has a bright future, and Manu Duah is a player to build upon.

Chemistry is a vital part of the success San Diego FC is enjoying early in its existence.

Manu Duah is a big part of the early achievements. He is a social person who enjoys fun. That type of personality is playing well in the locker room as the young player is getting used to life in the MLS. His friends are a big part of his aura and who we see on the football pitch.

“The Manu outside the field is a really energetic person who always wants to hang out with friends. Do something, have fun, I like teasing friends. I really tease my friends,” explained Duah. “I always want to be with friends, and most of the time I just talk with other friends who are not here, but through gaming, so I like gaming a lot because I can have time to just do something with my friends outside of soccer.”

The sport of soccer is a game. Having fun is a huge part of it. Manu Duah will bring his smile each day.

San Diego FC is about to play its biggest match in the history of the franchise against Minnesota United FC on November 24. Manu Duah will be a big part of the success of the team in their quest for an MLS championship. For him, it is all about continuing to live his dream.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.