Jayden Da (born April 8, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays for Columbus Crew 2 in MLS Next Pro.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | April 8, 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Columbus Crew 2 | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Olney Boys & Girls Club | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2021 | Washington & Jefferson Presidents | 11 | (6) |
| 2021–2023 | Duquesne Dukes | 46 | (8) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | Patuxent Football Athletics | 7 | (2) |
| 2024– | Columbus Crew 2 | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 24, 2024 | |||
Early life edit
Da was born in Boston and also lived in West Africa for eight years during his youth, before returning to the United States.[1] He played youth soccer with the Olney Boys & Girls Club.[2]
College career edit
In 2020, Da began attending Washington & Jefferson College, where he played for the men's soccer team in NCAA Division III (the season was delayed to the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).[3] On March 21, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goals, netting a brace in a 4-0 victory over the Saint Vincent Bearcats.[4] In April 2021, he was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.[5] On April 13, he scored the overtime winner in double overtime against the Geneva Golden Tornadoes.[6] At the end of the season, he was named the PAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and was named to the All-PAC First Team and the PAC All-Tournament Team.[7] During his sole season, he helped W&J win the 2020 PAC Championship, and led the PAC in points (17) and assists (5), while finishing tied for second in goals (6).[8]
In the fall of 2021, Da transferred to Duquesne University to play for the men's soccer team in NCAA Division I.[9] He made his debut on August 26, 2021 against the Pittsburgh Panthers.[10] He made his first start and scored his first goal on November 14, 2021 against the Saint Louis Billikens.[11] On September 9, 2023, he scored a brace against the Niagara Purple Eagles in a 2-1 victory.[12] At the end of the 2023 season, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team and the All-Southeast Region Third Team.[13][14] Over his three seasons with Duquesne, he appeared in 46 games, scoring eight goals and adding four assists.[15]
Club career edit
In 2022, he played with the Patuxent Football Athletics in USL League Two.[16]
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Da was selected in the first round (29th overall) by the Columbus Crew.[17][18][19] In February 2024, he signed a contract with the second team, Columbus Crew 2, in MLS Next Pro.[20]
References edit
- ^ "Jayden Da Duquesne profile". Duquesne Dukes.
- ^ "Columbus Crew 2 Sign Forward Jayden Da". Columbus Crew. February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Jayden Da W&J profile". Washington & Jefferson Presidents.
- ^ "Three second half goals highlight Men's Soccer's 4-0 win over Saint Vincent". Washington & Jefferson Presidents. March 21, 2021.
- ^ "Jayden Da named PAC Rookie of the Week". Washington & Jefferson Presidents. April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Da delivers Presidents past Geneva 2-1 in 2OT". Washington & Jefferson Presidents. April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Da awarded PAC Player and Newcomer of the Year, McDonald Coach of the Year as eight Presidents named All-PAC". Washington & Jefferson Presidents. May 13, 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Aaron (January 5, 2024). "Former President standout Jayden Da selected in MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew". Washington & Jefferson Presidents.
- ^ "Meet the 2021 Men's Soccer Recruiting Class". Duquesne Dukes. August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Dukes Fall at No. 3 Pitt". Duquesne Dukes. August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Dukes' Season Comes to an End in Saint Louis". Duquesne Dukes. November 14, 2021.
- ^ "Jayden Da's second half brace gives Duquesne 2-1 win at Niagara". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. September 10, 2023.
- ^ "Ekeland Named 2023 Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year". Duquesne Dukes. November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Ekeland, Da Earn United Soccer Coaches All-Region Honors". Duquesne Dukes. December 5, 2023.
- ^ "Da Selected by Columbus Crew in MLS Superdraft". Duquesne Dukes. December 19, 2023.
- ^ "Jayden Da 2022 USL2 Stats". USL League Two.
- ^ Mac Kay, Brianna (December 19, 2024). "MLS SuperDraft 2024: Columbus Crew select Jayden Da with first round pick". The Columbus Dispatch.
- ^ Krysinsky, John (December 19, 2023). "Duquesne's Jayden Da selected by MLS Champions Columbus Crew in SuperDraft's first round". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
- ^ Miller, Adam (December 19, 2023). "The Crew select Duquesne's Jayden Da in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft". Massive Report.
- ^ "Da Signs Contract with Columbus Crew 2". Duquesne Dukes. March 1, 2024.
External links edit
- Jayden Da at Soccerway