Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

September 14, 2017 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Kekuta Manneh will return to B.C. Place on Saturday afternoon with Columbus Crew SC. The former Vancouver Whitecaps FC fan favourite was traded to Columbus earlier this season on March 30. While fans, pundits, and MLS followers might have been shocked by the departure of Manneh, he wasn't all that surprised. "Yes, and no," revealed Manneh. "I knew it was going to happen at some point, because we couldn't agree on a contract. I knew Whitecaps is not going to keep me here until the end of the season, and let me go for free. I've seen what happened to (Gershon) Koffie as well. I knew in the back of my mind, something was going to happen. I was not kept in the loop, but I knew something was happening. The week the trade was happening, I knew by the end of the week I was going to get traded. I was a bit surprised. I thought I was going to be in Vancouver. I didn't think I was ever going to be traded. I love the city, I made so many friends here. It was never in my head to go somewhere else or to be traded, but that's what the game is sometimes." The 22 year-old winger was drafted 4th overall by Vancouver in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. The Whitecaps were previously the only professional football club he had known. His four seasons in Vancouver were met with brilliance, and the belief that he had more to offer if only he could put together all his skill-set, and stay healthy. Manneh's speed had defenders back-peddling to keep up with him, but it wasn't always on display. He scored 22 goals in 101 MLS matches with Whitecaps FC. Since joining the Crew SC, it's been a different sort of challenge. Manneh's playing time hasn't always been there, and more often, than not, he's found himself on the bench waiting for a chance to play. "Good, frustrating at times, but it's been good," said Manneh of his new life with Columbus. "I think it's a good soccer environment, they have a good culture there. I really enjoy the training, the way they play, and I fell in love with the system. They want to play with the ball, and they want to enjoy the game. I like that about the team." Manneh has appeared in 14 matches with Columbus, and he's started in eight. He's has 3 goals, and 2 assists while being mostly out of Coach Gregg Berhalter lineup. Manneh hasn't started for Crew SC since August 12 vs Chicago. All young players want to play, and feel as though they are contributing on the pitch, while showing what they can bring to the team. Manneh's not found his place yet, and it really hasn't been an easy transition. "(It's) not necessarily what I thought it would be for me as an individual going and playing right away, and making an impact on the team. I don't think I've had the opportunities that I've wanted, in that regard, it's frustrating. I thought I was going to get a lot more opportunities than I have been, so that's been a bit frustrating. Besides that, everything else is good." Arriving back in Vancouver this week, Manneh took in the Whitecaps FC vs Minnesota United FC match with the rest of his Columbus teammates. He's spent time catching up and visiting with friends he made in Vancouver. He has a soft spot for the city, but he will put his feelings aside when the two teams battle for three points on Saturday. From the humble beginnings @bcplacestadium #vancouver A post shared by Batis (@kekuta16) on Sep 13, 2017 at 7:27pm PDT A lot of athletes play with a chip on their shoulder like they've got something to prove. Manneh thought that Vancouver would always be his home. Entering B.C. Place with a different team will surely bring a mix of emotions. Manneh wants to win, but he won't be going out to play with an 'I'll show you attitude.' "Not really, I don't think I have a point to prove to the Whitecaps," Manneh said. "It's in the past, what happened, happened, it's in the past. I played for Whitecaps, 'yes I did', but it's in the books. I don't have a point to prove to anyone, not even to my team. They know what I'm all about. It's not about one game, it's about the course of the season. We're fighting to stay in the playoffs. We need to win the game, it's about the team. It would be nice to have a good game for my team, score a goal. If I'm the one to score the winning goal, so be it. To answer your question, I don't think I have a point to prove. It's not like I'm trying to come back to Whitecaps. I just look at it as another MLS game that we need to win." Columbus needs points at a crucial juncture of their season. They have five matches remaining and face a challenging schedule after Vancouver. 13-12-4 has them slotted 4th overall in the MLS eastern conference, and by no means have they locked up a playoff spot. Crew SC are home to New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, and face Orlando City SC, and New York City FC on the road. A daunting schedule that can't afford any slip ups. Manneh, who received his U.S. citizenship in January enjoys the way Columbus has been playing down the stretch. The team has bought into Coach Berhalter's possession originated tactics. If they can put a run of results together, playoffs should be a reality. What is it going to take for Columbus Crew SC to make the playoffs? "I think a team effort, I've seen that since I've been there," Manneh admitted. "It's an unbelievable soccer environment, very competitive, it's to perfection. We don't go away from out system. Even if it's not working, everybody sticks with it. More often than not, it works out for us. We come out to a game, and we're like 'alright, we gave it everything we had, let's put it to bed, and get ready for the next one.' I think that's what it's going to take." It starts with earning a result vs Vancouver. It won't come easy as the Caps are flying high after defeating Real Salt Lake 3-2 on Saturday, and Minnesota 3-0 on Wednesday. Columbus is well prepared, well rested, and looking to play spoiler vs Whitecaps FC. If Manneh does indeed earn his ninth start of the season for Columbus. He's hoping for one more special moment from the Vancouver supporters who welcomed him to the team in 2013. Manneh speaks fondly of how happy playing in B.C. Place is to him. "It will be special for one thing only, playing in front of that crowd," Manneh said with a smile. "If I have the opportunity, it would be amazing. I'll be okay with having a couple of minutes on the field, just to play in front of that crowd again, soaking up that atmosphere, energy of the stadium. It's the best place I've ever played in, and the fans are always amazing, week in, and week out." The future for Kekuta Manneh going forward is as uncertain as his spot in the Crew SC lineup. Manneh is out of contract following the 2017 MLS season, and free to leave. That's the main reason why Vancouver sought out a trade partner for him. It's every football players dream to one day play in Europe. Manneh isn't committing to anything yet. "No, for right now, I'm leaving it alone," Manneh said. "I have a pretty good idea in my head what I want, but it's not necessarily what's going to happen. Sometimes things don't really work out the way you want them to. There's a lot of people involved in this decision-making. I do have a pretty good idea of what I want. I have to talk to my agent, family, it can change things. I definitely do want to go to Europe. That's the goal, it's always been my goal to have an opportunity to play in that environment, and see what it's all about." Manneh provided a lot of great memories for Whitecaps FC fans. On Saturday, there might just be something left to show the fans, but this time, it will be for Columbus.



