*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2023
Kekuta Manneh (born 30 December 1994) is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger. In 2016, he obtained his American citizenship and has previously been called up to the United States national team, although he has not made an appearance.
Manneh began his career at the several youth academies, including Gilcock Academy, in Gambia before moving to the GFA League First Division, the nation's top league.[1] After leaving Africa in 2010, Manneh led second-division Georgia Rush to the state cup quarter-finals and played for Texas Rush before signing with Lonestar Soccer Club, another youth club from Texas, for the 2011 season. Both clubs compete as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. In 2010, Manneh scored 35 goals in 23 matches for the Rush. Because of his performance with the Rush, Manneh was named to the 2010 Disney's Soccer Showcase All-Star Team and was given a week-long training stint with the Chelsea F.C. academy.[1] For Lonestar SC, Manneh scored 21 goals in 16 matches.[2] In October 2011, Manneh was observed by a scout from Arsenal in a match against the FC Dallas Development Academy.[3] Following his successful season with Lonestar Soccer Club, Manneh signed for the Austin Aztex of the Premier Development League and scored 10 goals in 12 regular season matches,[4] including a 4-goal performance against the Texas Dutch Lions on matchday 5.[5]
Before coming to the United States in 2010, Manneh played for Steve Biko Football Club of the GFA League First Division, the highest level of football in the Gambia. Manneh helped the club finish second in the league in 2009 by scoring 17 goals in 12 matches.[6] Despite successful trials with top clubs in the Gambia, Manneh decided to move to the United States and join the Texas-based academies.[1] In 2012, it was reported that Manneh was on trial with the reigning Major League Soccer champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy but was ultimately not signed to a contract.[7] Manneh had also trained with the Colorado Rapids and clubs in England and Germany.[6] In January 2013, Manneh signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer in order to take part in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.[8] A week later, Manneh was selected fourth overall by Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Vancouver made a trade with Toronto FC involving swapping picks and allocation money to get an earlier selection in order to draft Manneh.[6]
Manneh scored two goals for the Whitecaps in a 3–2 preseason victory over the Charleston Battery in the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup.[9] On 3 March 2013 Manneh made his league debut for the Whitecaps, starting the match and playing 45 minutes of a 1–0 opening-day victory over Toronto FC.[10]
Manneh scored his first professional goal on 27 April 2013, in a 2–2 draw with FC Dallas. After coming on as a 54th-minute substitute, he scored a 72nd-minute goal. Three minutes later, Manneh made a surging run past three defenders down the flank to set up Camilo's equalizer in the 75th minute. Manneh's goal and assist earned him man of the match honours.[11] Manneh scored his first professional, and the Whitecaps' first MLS, hat-trick on 9 October 2013, in a 4–1 win over Seattle Sounders FC. At 18 years and 283 days, Manneh became the youngest player to have scored an MLS hat trick.[12] On the following matchday, Manneh scored a curler from outside the penalty box against the Colorado Rapids.[13]
Following a string of impressive performances in October 2013, it was reported that English Premier League powerhouses Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool were in the hunt to sign the 18-year-old from Vancouver, with the latter apparently linked with a move for the player the previous summer.[14]
Manneh in 2019
In a deal announced 30 March 2017, Manneh was traded to Columbus Crew SC for Tony Tchani. The Whitecaps also received $300,000 in various allocation funds and a conditional first round draft pick.[15] Manneh's contract expired at the end of the season, and although he was offered a new contract by Crew SC,[16] he chose to head overseas and go on trial with Union Berlin.[17]
On 26 December 2017, Manneh joined Mexican side Pachuca.[18] However, the player made only one league appearance, playing only eight minutes, during his short tenure at the club.[19]
On 13 February 2019, Manneh returned to the United States, joining FC Cincinnati ahead of their inaugural season in MLS. Cincinnati acquired his MLS rights from Columbus in exchange for $250,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and $50,000 in General Allocation Money.[22] He scored his first goal for Cincinnati on March 24, 2019, against the New England Revolution.[citation needed][23]
On 17 August 2020, Manneh was traded to New England Revolution for an international roster slot.[24] He scored his first goal for New England on October 14, 2020.
Manneh returned to the city of Austin on 22 January 2021, signing as a free agent with Austin FC ahead of their inaugural MLS season.[25] Following the 2021 season, Manneh's contract option was declined by Austin.[26]
On 7 February 2022, it was announced that Manneh had signed with USL Championship club San Antonio FC ahead of their upcoming 2022 season.[27]
Because of Manneh's performances with Steve Biko FC, he was called up for the Gambia's U20 national squad for the 2011 African Youth Championship in Tripoli, Libya in March of that year.[1] Because of political unrest in Libya, the tournament was held in South Africa from 17–2 April May instead.[30] In March 2014, Manneh was one of seven foreign-based players contacted by new Gambia Under-20 coach Tapha Manneh to be part of the squad for 2015 African U-20 Championship qualification, including the match against Liberia on 6 April. However, he was unable to accept the call up because of injury.[31] Manneh has stated he wants to play for the United States after he receives his U.S. citizenship in September 2016. He was called up into the United States squad for the January 2017 camp as well as for a friendly against Paraguay in March 2018, but has not yet made an appearance for the team.[32][33]
Personal life
Manneh earned his U.S. citizenship in 2016.[34] While playing for the Canada-based Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Manneh lived in the U.S. exclave of Point Roberts, Washington in order to fulfill his residency requirements for U.S. citizenship.[35]
Manneh is Muslim and has observed the Islamic month of Ramadan to some extent.[36][37]
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The 2013 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season was the Whitecaps' third season in Major League Soccer, the top tier of soccer in the United States and Canada.
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