The rise of Manu Duah has been nothing short of meteoric. Just months ago, he was a college freshman at UC Santa Barbara, a promising but unproven talent with a mere 14 collegiate games under his belt. On Wednesday, he found himself at Torero Stadium, not as a participant, but as a spectator, watching his former Gauchos teammates battle the University of San Diego. A wistful moment, perhaps, contemplating what might have been had he stayed the course.
Had he remained in Santa Barbara, Duah would be entering his sophomore year, honing his skills on the college pitch. But fate, and a keen eye for talent from San Diego FC (SDFC), had other plans. The very next morning, Duah traded the familiar surroundings of academia for the rigorous training grounds of a professional soccer club. He drove to East County, ready to prepare with San Diego FC, where he’s become a linchpin, a starting center back for the team that currently reigns supreme in the Western Conference.
And what a reign it has been. SDFC’s dominance is such that their first-place standing is secure, regardless of the outcome of their crucial match Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium against second-place Minnesota United. The stakes are high, the atmosphere electric, and at the heart of it all is Manu Duah, the young man who, just a short time ago, was contemplating the trajectory of his college career.
"It’s too crazy," Duah confessed after a recent SDFC practice, a sentiment that likely echoes in the minds of many who have witnessed his rapid ascent. "Obviously, I want to see my (college) team always do their best, and I want to see my friends. I watch them and think, ‘I could have been out there playing with them.’ But here, too, it’s not a bad choice." A wry smile likely accompanied those words, a subtle acknowledgment of the incredible opportunity that has presented itself.
"I just never imagined that this was going to happen so quickly," he added, encapsulating the whirlwind that has defined his recent life. The transition from college freshman to professional starter is a rare and remarkable feat, a testament to Duah’s inherent talent, unwavering dedication, and the discerning eye of the SDFC coaching staff.
But the story of Manu Duah is far more than just a tale of overnight success. It’s a narrative woven with threads of perseverance, sacrifice, and a deep-seated passion for the beautiful game. To truly understand the magnitude of his achievement, one must delve into the tapestry of his past, a journey that spans continents and overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Just three months ago, Duah had never graced the field in a Major League Soccer (MLS) game. A year prior, a knee injury sidelined him for the entirety of the conference season, a setback that could have derailed his aspirations. Two years ago, he faced a barrage of rejections from college programs, deemed too old to play his senior year of high school and lacking the necessary credits to graduate early and meet NCAA eligibility requirements. The path to collegiate soccer, once seemingly clear, had become shrouded in uncertainty.
Four years ago, Duah was in Ghana, his future hanging in the balance, a question mark etched against the backdrop of an uncertain world. Nine years ago, he was a young boy, one of four children raised by a widowed mother who tirelessly sold food at the local market in Kumasi. The income was meager, barely enough to cover the mounting school fees for her children. It was then, at the tender age of 11, that Duah made a decision that would alter the course of his life. He offered to leave school and home, embarking on a four-hour journey to Accra, the capital city, to join a year-round soccer academy. Opportunities to visit his family would be scarce, but the potential rewards were immense.
"I decided to take the path through soccer," Duah explained, a decision that speaks volumes about his maturity, his unwavering belief in his abilities, and his willingness to sacrifice for the greater good of his family. That decision, made at such a young age, laid the foundation for the player he is today.
It was that very maturity, coupled with his impressive physical attributes – a rangy 6-foot-4 frame and exceptional field vision – that captivated San Diego FC. Despite a modest college record of no goals and one assist in 14 games, and without any all-conference accolades to his name, Duah possessed an undeniable spark, a raw potential that SDFC recognized and sought to cultivate. As an expansion team, SDFC held the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, a golden opportunity to select the best college talent available.
They didn’t hesitate. Duah was their guy.
"We drafted him for a reason," coach Mikey Varas affirmed. "He has talent, but he also has tremendous character. Early on, he wasn’t ready to play because of an injury, and we also needed to get him pro-ready, physically. He bought in 100%. He showed an ability to see longer term for himself and recognized the work he had to do."
Varas emphasized Duah’s exceptional mindset, a crucial ingredient for success in the demanding world of professional sports. "He has that growth mindset in him. It’s really, really clear." That willingness to learn, to adapt, and to constantly strive for improvement has been instrumental in Duah’s rapid development.
The journey from Ghana to San Diego is a testament to Duah’s unwavering determination. After his time in Ghana, he attended the Dunn School in Los Olivos, just outside Santa Barbara, where he shattered the school record for assists with 51, despite missing his senior year. But his path to college wasn’t without its hurdles. When he attempted to reclassify and fell two classes short – and the NCAA historically only considers a waiver if you’re one short – his recruitment came to a screeching halt.
"We rolled the dice with him," UCSB coach Tim Vom Steeg admitted. "Everybody went away, and we kept his scholarship out there until June, when the NCAA cleared him. We were the only one who hung in there. We kind of got a gift from the NCAA."
Vom Steeg recognized Duah’s special talent from the very beginning. "On the first day of practice, you just knew he was special." Despite the initial challenges, Duah’s potential was undeniable, a beacon that shone brightly even amidst the uncertainties.
A knee injury sidelined Duah for his Big West season, keeping him largely under the radar. He made his return for the NCAA Tournament, where the Gauchos secured a 1-0 victory at UCLA and staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down at Stanford before ultimately losing in a penalty shootout. That performance, coupled with a strong showing at the pre-draft combine, was enough to pique the interest of SDFC scouts.
Duah is a member of Generation Adidas, a collaborative program between MLS and U.S. Soccer that allows him to enter the SuperDraft after his freshman year without counting against a team’s senior roster for up to three years. The program also provides financial support for those who wish to continue their education.
Perhaps the most remarkable and intriguing aspect of Duah’s journey is not just his rise to prominence, but the position in which he now finds himself thriving. Throughout his career, he has primarily played as a defensive midfielder. However, for SDFC, he has been deployed exclusively as a central defender, a role he has embraced with remarkable adaptability and skill.
"They never mentioned it when they drafted me, because they had top recruited center backs," Duah revealed. "There was no talk of being a center back. But sometimes things happen in life. I came back from injury, and I had the opportunity, and I took it."
A series of unfortunate injuries to SDFC’s veteran center backs created an opening, and Duah seized the opportunity with both hands.
He made his MLS debut on June 25, playing the final minute of a 5-3 victory against Vancouver. Since mid-July, he has been a regular starter, a mainstay in the SDFC lineup, and hasn’t been subbed out in the last six games.
Varas acknowledged that the club saw the potential for Duah to excel as a central defender, even if Duah himself hadn’t fully realized it.
"From the beginning, we also knew he could play center back," Varas explained. "That’s our job, right? We see players and what they do positionally, but we also look at overall attributes that they have and what else can they be. You have to remember, we’re trying to develop players for the highest level, so you have a little bit of different vision for each player."
Duah’s rapid adaptation to the central defender role is a testament to his coachability, his intelligence, and his unwavering work ethic. "He just grabbed that thing and ran with it," Varas said. "He’s got this competitiveness about him and this ability to learn from mistakes, which is the most important thing for young players… He’s shown this ability to continuously try things – he’s really brave – and then learn when they make sense and when they don’t make sense for future performances."
Of course, there have been occasional missteps along the way. In his first start, a deflected pass led to an own goal, putting his team in an early 1-0 deficit. But his teammates rallied around him, demonstrating the strong camaraderie and support system within the SDFC squad, ultimately salvaging a 1-1 tie with a 79th-minute goal from fellow rookie center back Ian Pilcher.
That resilience, that ability to overcome adversity, has been a defining characteristic of both Duah and SDFC this season.
"No, I’m not surprised," Vom Steeg, Duah’s college coach, said after sorely missing his presence in a 3-1 loss at USD. "I’m surprised about the position. But the level doesn’t matter. He has this awareness on the field that you can’t coach. You can translate that awareness to any game. He’s just very comfortable, he doesn’t get flustered, he keeps asking for the ball. He knows if he receives the ball with his frame and his body, you can’t take it off of me."
Vom Steeg also highlighted the perfect synergy between Duah’s skill set and SDFC’s playing style. "Then you put him on a team like San Diego that values possession, and it’s a perfect fit."
Whether he’s playing center back or defensive midfielder, Duah’s focus remains unwavering. He’s committed to playing, learning, and growing as a player and as an individual.
"I feel like I have more potential in me, where it’s still in there and I’m finding it," he said. "At some point it’s going to come out. I feel like I’m working hard towards it, like I’m definitely going to get it out."
The story of Manu Duah is still being written. His journey is far from over, and the potential for future success is immense. He embodies the spirit of perseverance, the power of opportunity, and the unwavering belief in oneself. As he takes the field with San Diego FC, he carries with him the hopes and dreams of a young boy from Ghana who dared to dream big, a testament to the transformative power of soccer and the unwavering spirit of the human heart.
San Diego FC (17-7-5) vs. Minnesota United (14-6-9)
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Snapdragon Stadium
TV: Apple TV
Radio: 760-AM (English), 1700-AM (Spanish)
Originally Published: September 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM PDT