Published: December 23, 2024
MONROVIA – Former Paynesville FC and LISCR FC winger, Joseph Melto Quiah, has been selected in the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. The 20-year-old Liberian was drafted by Toronto FC as the 69th overall pick in the third round.
Quiah, a student-athlete at the University of Dayton, completed a stellar collegiate soccer career with 14 goals, 16 assists, and 170 shots in 47 games over three seasons. His performances earned him All-Atlantic 10 honors in every season and a spot on the Third Team USC All-America this year.
Quiah’s journey to the draft began in Liberia, where he rose through the ranks of Paynesville FC and LISCR FC. He signed with LISCR FC after an impressive stint in Paynesville’s third-division team, scoring 13 goals in 22 appearances before leaving Liberia in April 2022 through Ken Sports Management’s athletic scholarship program.
Toronto FC, known for nurturing young talents, is expected to integrate Quiah into their attacking lineup as they prepare for the upcoming MLS season.
Quiah is the second player managed by Ken Sports Management to be drafted into the MLS within two years. Bryant Farkarlun was drafted by Austin FC in 2024 after graduating from college with a degree in Psychology. Farkarlun, who joined the program in 2020, became the first Ken Sports player to sign a professional contract.
In an exclusive interview with The Liberian Investigator from the United States, Arnold Kennedy, the founder of Ken Sports Management and a former Liberian professional player, expressed his excitement about the success of the program.
“Melto Quiah and Bryant Farkarlun’s journey to the MLS is a testament to the enormous talents in Liberia,” Kennedy said. “This program, which many doubted at the start, is now delivering results and opening doors for young Liberians to achieve both academic and athletic success.”
Kennedy encouraged aspiring footballers in Liberia to consider opportunities in the United States, emphasizing the importance of balancing soccer with education.
“Football is a short career. You could sign a big contract today and suffer a career-ending injury tomorrow. With education, life continues,” Kennedy remarked. “That’s why I prioritize helping young talents secure opportunities to play and study in the U.S.”
Ken Sports Management has facilitated the journeys of several Liberian players to the United States, including Women’s National Team forwards Angeline Kieh and Agatha Nimene, former Nimba United midfielder Bangalee Sesay, and Alexander Tarway.
The 2025 MLS SuperDraft also saw two other players of Liberian descent selected. Barzee Blama, born in the U.S. and a collegiate standout at Mercer University, was picked by Charlotte FC. Bo Cummins, who played at Wake Forest University and earned a spot on the 2024 ACC All-Tournament Team, was drafted by Houston Dynamo FC.
The MLS SuperDraft is an annual event where amateur, primarily collegiate, players who are not affiliated with an MLS club are selected. It serves as a bridge for emerging talents to make their mark in one of the world’s fastest-growing football leagues.
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