The 2023 MLS champions’ offseason is in full swing as the Columbus Crew builds towards a busy 2024 season. The Crew will play in MLS, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup in the coming year. Thus, it is important for the Black & Gold to add quality players and depth is a huge necessity for Columbus this offseason

The first major part of the offseason comes in the form of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday. With the 29th pick in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, the Columbus Crew selected Jayden Da from Duquesne University.

The MLS SuperDraft is an opportunity for clubs to select players from the college ranks and MLS NEXT Pro. Da, a striker, just finished his junior season at Duquesne. The forward is a well-traveled player and has produced at a high level during his college career. Da recorded eight goals and four assists in his time at Duquesne.

Prior to his time with the Dukes, Da was a standout at Washington and Jefferson College, where he was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player and Newcomer of the Year. He led the Presidents in the PAC in points (17) and assists (5) in 2020-21.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Da is a physical presence. Despite his large frame, Da is a willing runner and has a high work rate in the striker position.

Da will have the chance to join the Crew and continue to develop his technical and tactical ability while adjusting to the pro game. Black & Gold fans can be excited about this selection given the raw ability that Da possesses and the fact that he should be give time to develop, likely in MLS NEXT Pro with Crew 2. Columbus’ reserve team has recently developed a similar striker into an MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot and MLS Cup winner in Jacen Russell-Rowe and the club will no doubt have similar plans for Da.