Kekuta Manneh ready to give back as part of Austin FC

Photo Credit: Austin FC

Austin gave so much to Kekuta Manneh when he was growing up, and he’s ready to give back.

It’s easy to say that nobody on the Austin FC roster is as tied to their new home as much as Manneh, who came to Central Texas more than a decade ago and got his American soccer career started in the youth leagues around Austin.

“To me, it was a no-brainer,” Manneh said. “It was coming back home and playing for the home-town team. Not a lot of people have the opportunity to do that.”

After leaving The Gambia in 2010, the winger played at Texas Rush and Lonestar SC before joining the Austin Aztex of the PDL in 2012. He was selected fourth overall in the SuperDraft in 2013.

When he found out his fifth MLS team would be Austin FC, he was at home with his parents during the holidays. The excitement only grew.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I always thought if there’s a city in the country that deserves a team, it’s Austin. Growing up in the academy down here and playing in the PDL, you can see the support and how much people love the game. The city is so diverse and there are so many people interested in the game.”

Manneh has scored 31 goals with 19 assists in 155 MLS appearances.

He scored one goal in just six appearances with his most recent stint with the New England Revolution. Before that, he tallied four goals in 29 games for expansion team FC Cincinnati 2019.

Manneh scored a pair of goals in the first scrimmage of the preseason against OKC Energy. He then drew a penalty that led to another goal in last week’s scrimmage against Louisville City.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff said. “Each and every day, Kekuta has come to work. In and around goal he dangerous, not only as an individual but being able to pick out other guys. I’m happy with Kekuta’s progress, and more just his personality and character and what he brings each day.”

Traditionally a left-winger, Manneh has some serious competition for a starting spot, most notably designated player Cecilio Domínguez.

But that hasn’t lowered his confidence. With a new team and an unestablished starting group, everybody is coming with a high-intensity level and competing, which Manneh said has led to some healthy competition as everyone wants to prove they can be ‘the guy.’

“The past (few) weeks have been amazing,” he said. “It’s been refreshing to see the energy and the intensity with everybody coming in, putting their heads down and doing the work. It’s mentally and physically challenging because we’re learning a new system.”

Manneh wants to be a role model for youth soccer players in Austin.

He leaned a lot playing with eventual professionals with the Aztex raised his level of play. When Manneh played with the Vancouver Whitecaps and came back to town for the holidays, he would go and practice with Lonestar SC just to hang out and talk to them.

“I’ve been in their shoes before,” Manneh said. “I wish I had a mentor in town that I was able to ask questions and stuff like that. I know I’m in a position now where I can do that for a lot of young players. I want to do a lot for the city since the city has given me a lot.”

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Originally published at https://www.hillcountrynews.com/stories/kekuta-manneh-ready-to-give-back-as-part-of-austin-fc,85392?