| Jayden Da | |
| Birth Date: | 8 April 2002 |
| Birth Place: | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Columbus Crew 2 |
| Clubnumber: | 9 |
| Youthclubs1: | Olney Boys & Girls Club |
| Collegeyears1: | 2020–2021 |
| College1: | Washington & Jefferson Presidents |
| Collegecaps1: | 11 |
| Collegegoals1: | 6 |
| Collegeyears2: | 2021–2023 |
| College2: | Duquesne Dukes |
| Collegecaps2: | 46 |
| Collegegoals2: | 8 |
| Years1: | 2022 |
| Caps1: | 7 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Years2: | 2023 |
| Clubs2: | Toledo Villa FC |
| Years3: | 2024– |
| Clubs3: | Columbus Crew 2 |
| Caps3: | 16 |
| Goals3: | 5 |
| Club-Update: | July 28, 2024 |
Jayden Da (born April 8, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays for Columbus Crew 2 in MLS Next Pro.
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]
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]
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]