Manu Duah playing for the Gauchos against Cal Poly SLO on Oct. 6, 2024. Duah played a single season for the Gauchos before being drafted to the MLS. Shiuan Cheng/Daily Nexus

Manu Duah, a former Gaucho midfielder, made his Major League Soccer debut for San Diego FC on June 25 in a Western Conference game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. 

Duah was the first overall pick in the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft in San Diego FC’s franchise history, as this is the team’s inaugural season. The three-round, 90-pick college draft was held on Dec. 20, 2024. Duah is the first Gaucho across all UC Santa Barbara athletics to be drafted first overall, and the third Gaucho to be selected in the top five of the SuperDraft.

“It really meant a lot to me … I never, never, never had a dream that [I was] going to be the number one pick. But, through God, everything is possible,” Duah said in an interview. “The job is not done yet, this is a new chapter that I really need to work hard on.” 

San Diego FC won 5-3 over the Vancouver Whitecaps, with Duah appearing in the 89th minute of the game and playing six minutes of stoppage time to help secure his team’s win. The win gained San Diego FC (11-5-3, 39 points) 3 points in the MLS Western Conference, earning them the top spot in the conference. 

Duah’s appearance was his first in the MLS, but not his first with San Diego FC, as he was featured in a friendly game against Club América on June 7. 

In a press conference after the June 7 game, Duah opened up about the experience of playing in front of a large crowd. 

“At first, there was a little bit of pressure. But when the game started, I was like ‘Okay, you got this,’” Duah said. “After a few minutes, I was fine … It was exciting.”

Duah played 14 games in his single season with UCSB, providing one assist but mainly contributing greatly to the team with his defensive midfield play. 

Duah is the 32nd UCSB men’s soccer player drafted to the MLS, and is in his first year of a guaranteed three-year Generation Adidas developmental contract with San Diego FC.