'Caps Primetime is a nightly variety of entertaining programs featuring current and former players, coaches, and your favourite ‘Caps personalities. On Thursdays, 'Caps take a trip down memory lane with a weekly rebroadcast of all-time classic matches.
This week's Throwback Thursday features a Cascadia classic - October 9, 2013 at Seattle Sounders FC.
Then-rookie Kekuta Manneh burst into the scene with one of the most memorable individual performances in 'Caps history.
We caught up with the man they call Scooter, now in his second season with FC Cincinnati, following stints with Columbus Crew SC, Liga MX side Pachuca, and Swiss Super League club St. Gallen.
How is life in Cincinnati?
Kekuta Manneh: It’s been fun. It’s amazing how much the fans love the team. It is definitely a community team. The fans are really passionate about the sport here, it’s been amazing for us.
How is it reuniting with a number of former 'Caps in Cincy?
KM: It made it a lot easier, when I knew I was coming down here, which was a last-minute decision. It was really exciting because I have played with a lot of the guys and I was familiar with the coaching staff as well. Once I came in, I fit in really well because the guys knew me, they knew my character and it was really easy to get along with everyone, and I’ve played with most of the players in the league as well. So the transition was really easy for me. Spencer (Richey) is here. Kendall (Waston) is here. Alan (Koch) was here. Darren (Mattocks) was here. So it was a pretty familiar environment for me.
You also played for the Crew, which is a rival of FC Cincinnati. How is it playing on both sides of the Hell is Real Derby?
KM: I remember when I was in Columbus, we played Cincinnati in the U.S Open Cup. Unfortunately, I got injured right before that game so I wasn’t able to travel to that game. I was watching the game on TV, it was incredible - the fans, the stadium was packed, it was a full house, it was one of the most watched games that month. I was only in Columbus for few months so my move wasn't that big of a deal. It would have been different is let’s say I moved to Seattle from Vancouver, or from Vancouver to Portland.
Like Fredy Montero.
KM: Exactly, he knows all about that. He is very lucky, he is loved by both sets of fans and he has done good things for both clubs. He signed with Vancouver in 2017 and we were getting to know each other and I got traded to Columbus. I was looking forward to playing with him because I’m such a big fan of Fredy. Just seeing the things he has done in the league and where he has played. He has such great credentials and I was so excited to play with him.
You were just 18 when you were drafted by the 'Caps in 2013. What was the mindset when you left Vancouver in 2017?
KM: It was always been my dream to be able to explore different parts of the world and experience different leagues. I wanted to play somewhere else besides MLS as well, for just an experience, and I was lucky enough to go play in Mexico for a season, and I think that was a really good experience for me. An eye opener. An experience that I can say 'I’ve done it' and I’ve always been a fan of the Mexican league, it was a challenge that I wanted to experience. When I got that opportunity, I thought it was a no-brainer, I have to experience it for my sake. I had an opportunity to go to Europe which has always been a dream of mine. I played in Switzerland for six months and I felt like I missed home, it was different, it was fun in all but I just felt that I missed home and needed to come home. I was really missing the league and what I was used to. And once I had that opportunity to come back, there was no turning it down.
You say you missed home. Vancouver was home for you for four years.
KM: It was. Actually, it is crazy, there was a little chance of coming back to Vancouver but it didn’t really pan out. This was in the summer of 2018. When I left Mexico, I came in and trained with Vancouver that summer. I was planning to go to Switzerland. When I got to Switzerland, the night I was in my hotel to sign the contract in the next 48 hours, I got contacted by Vancouver. I was already in Switzerland to sign the contract and things just couldn’t happen. I was torn apart honestly, Vancouver meant so much to me and I could say I basically grew up in Vancouver. It is what I knew and I have always held Vancouver dearly in my heart. I was like “Sleep on it, this could be something I’m really interested in." But I thought, "I have to stay here and experience the league." It was close. The decision was really, really close.
What's your fondest memory from your years in Vancouver?
KM: Everything I know, I learned in Vancouver. I went there as a boy and left as a man. Everything, they taught me. The city, the people, the fans, the club. I don’t think I can pick one. If I had to pick one memory from playing, it’d definitely be that night in Seattle as an individual. I think we had one of the best locker rooms. I remember I was going around the league and people would ask me about the locker room, how the camaraderie was when I was there, we had such great leaders in the locker room, everyone were themselves. Winning the Cascadia Cup in Seattle was a good memory as well. Winning the Canadian championship as well. The road, the journey, I had so many good memories but the trips to Seattle was definitely the most fun part. The bus rides. We would sing going to the game to Seattle. We would try to guess the exact time the bus would get to Seattle, to the hotel. Everybody was on edge. Vancouver was definitely hands down, the best experience in my life for sure.
Any specific memories from the hat trick game?
KM: Obviously, scoring a hat trick game was pretty special for me as an individual. But for me, my favourite moment from that game was after the game - celebrating with my teammates and with the away fans who travelled to that game. That was a special night.
Besides those in FC Cincinnati, do you still keep in touch with any of your former ‘Caps teammates?
KM: Most of the younger guys I would say. Rusty (Teibert) every once in a while, we would say hi, what’s up, what’s going on. Sam Adekugbe, I would probably say he’s my best friend, him and Erik Hurtado. You have Kianz (Froese), (Marco) Bustos, I’m really close to as well. You have Ben Fisk, I was actually just texting him a couple of days ago. Andy O'Brien.
Any message for Whitecaps FC fans?
KM: I miss them. Everywhere I go, I always argue that they are some of the best fans in the league. I always say that it is one of my favourite places to play. The fans are incredible and they’ve given everything. During my time there, they always supported me. They’re incredible fans. I always watch the team play. I still care about the team. I see they are heading in the right direction. I love the players they got, big fan of them. Be patient, good things will happen for the club.
Catch the rebroadcast of Kekuta Manneh's hat trick game at Seattle from 2013 on whitecapsfc.com tonight at 7:05 p.m. PT.
