MLS Superdraft 2025
San Diego FC make a statement with Busquets-style signing
The newcomer to MLS slammed their fist on the table with a strong pick in the Superdraft.
MLS continues preparations for the 2025 season with the much-anticipated SuperDraft. As part of its preparations for the 2025 season, the league recently announced its schedule, where the league’s 30 teams learned their matchups. This Friday, another key milestone took place: the annual MLS SuperDraft.
With the arrival of San Diego FC as the league’s newest expansion franchise, the Southern California team had the honour of making the first overall selection in the draft. They used their pick to select 19-year-old midfielder Manu Duah, a standout from MLS Next’s De Santa Barbara SC and a student-athlete at De Santa Barbara University.
San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas expressed high praise for the young talent in an interview with MLS. He described Duah as a player with immense potential who could become one of the league’s best players and excel in his position.
“With Manu, it was very, very clear that he’s a player with tremendous potential—already good, but capable of improving even more. He could dominate MLS in a few years,” Varas stated during a press conference.
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Manu Duah draws inspiration from Sergio Busquets
One of the key factors behind San Diego’s decision to draft Duah was his exceptional ability to control the midfield—a skill that reminded Varas of Sergio Busquets’ performances for Inter Miami.
Duah himself acknowledged Busquets as a major inspiration and agreed with the comparison to the legendary Spanish midfielder.
“He’s my favorite player. I admire his style of play, and I learn a lot by watching him,” Duah shared after the draft. “The main difference is that I’m more athletic than Busquets, but he’s incredible. I love how teams build through him, and I aspire to play a similar role for San Diego FC. I enjoy being part of teams that like to build through the number six.”
With his talent and aspirations, Manu Duah is poised to be a key figure for San Diego FC as they prepare to make their MLS debut.
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