GOAL US caught up with the No. 1 overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft to talk pressure, his goals, and what he will say when he meets his heroes.
Manu Duah knew this would all happen. San Diego FC had the first overall pick in the 2024 MLS draft by virtue of being an expansion franchise. They had made it clear to him, a couple of days before the draft, that he would be the first name called.
But until he heard those words, the UC Santa Barbara standout refused to believe it.
"I wasn't sure, I wasn't 100 percent sure. But then it was like, OK, everything is like, still pointing to you. Last night I couldn't sleep," Duah tells GOAL shortly after being selected first overall.
And he seems good value for the pick. A lanky, composed center midfielder who has drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets, Duah would seem to have the body type, work rate, and crucial tactical game intelligence to play in this league – and perhaps even pace an expansion franchise as a rookie. But this is also a pick of potential. He won't turn 20 until June 2025, and a three-year contract should see the expansion franchise help a promising talent grow.
"Manu hits the key profile of the club. He's a highly talented young player with amazing character and values… he's also got a tremendous growth mindset and winner's mentality," head coach Mikey Varas said.
That might just be crucial. After signing Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano and piecing together a roster of MLS experience and European flair – with the backing of the Right to Dream Academy – San Diego will look to compete from Day 1. Duah, Busquets comparisons and all, will hope to be a part of that.
GOAL US caught up with the No.1 overall pick following his selection to talk the pressures of a new franchise, his goals, and what he will say when he meets his footballing heroes.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowON BEING THE FIRST PICK
GOAL: First of all, congratulations on being selected first overall. How does it feel, and how long have you known that you would be first overall for?
DUAH: I feel really, really excited. And I did know a couple days ago, okay, but then I wasn't sure, I wasn't 100 percent sure. But then it was like, OK, everything is like, still pointing to you. I couldn't sleep. But I know for sure tonight I'm gonna sleep!
GOAL: You knew, but until you hear your name called, you're still a little unsure?
DUAH: Yeah, exactly. But then you know when your name is called, and you're first overall, the dream has come true.
AdvertisementGettyON HIS FIT IN SAN DIEGO
GOAL: With San Diego specifically, how do you feel like your skill set is going to transfer into MLS?
DUAH: So with San Diego, hearing from the coaches and how they want to play is really, really exciting. And I feel like that's the perfect thing for me, to actually go and play with them. From what the coaches have said, we're going to be a really, really good team. I really like the style or play, how they're going to play, building through the No. 6s and that. So I feel like it's a perfect place for me to actually go.
GOAL: Is it a good thing for you to be staying in California? I mean Santa Barbara is quite far from San Diego. But is that big thing for you?
DUAH: It's a good thing. I have the whole family here, everyone, everything. And they are always there to support me. I know they're gonna show up to the games every single time to watch and show for me, you know, so it's a really good thing that I still stayed here.
Getty Images SportON IDOL SERGIO BUSQUETS
GOAL: I saw that you're a big Sergio Busquets fan. Obviously he's a legend of the game, but what do you think is so good about him?
DUAH: So what really stood out for me when I started watching soccer and I saw Busquets, is he's really composed. No matter where he is, you give him the ball, and there's like three people, four people around him, he doesn't feel that pressure.
I like his composure, his passes, his timing on the ball. He knows when to go fast, when to slow the game down so he can keep the ball. He knows how to break lines, and I like his long passes, too. I like his style of play… I was like, 'Yeah, I want to be like this guy.'
GOAL: You must be disappointed, then, that you don't have Miami on your schedule?
DUAH: I know! I'm really, really disappointed. I really, really wanted to meet him. But I know life goes on, and one day I'm going to meet him and tell him 'Hey, I'm just like you. I learned everything from you.' Just forget my name, I'll be second Busquets.
ON EXPECTATIONS AND PRESSURE
GOAL: Is there any pressure for you? To come into this team, which is a new part of MLS?
DUAH: To be honest, there's no pressure. The only thing that is on me right now is to handle myself and learn from the people who have been at the pro level a long time… Just humble yourself and learn from the people who have already been in the game, because they know a lot. So there's no pressure.
GOAL: What are your expectations for your first season? What would be a successful first year in MLS for you?
DUAH: To have a lot of playing time. But that's that depends on me, how I work. I need to put in the work to get a lot of playing time. So that would be a successful thing for me. That's the only thing: Just work hard and get playing time.
GOAL: And more broadly, what would success in your career look like?
DUAH: What I will consider a big success for me is when I play in the Champions League. It doesn't matter the team that I play with, I'm in the Champions League! That's a big accomplishment. That's a dream come true for me.
