Born in Ghana and raised in Westerville, Ohio, Appiah spent five years at the University of Cincinnati, where he recorded seven goals and 13 assists in 65 college appearances. He earned Second Team All-American Athletic Conference and Second Team All-Ohio accolades as a senior in 2015, finishing with six goals and five assists.

While at Cincinnati, Appiah made 10 appearances for GPS Portland Phoenix of the USL Premier Development League in 2013.

Appiah joined the Colorado Rapids in January as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft but the lack of playing time forced his loan to Independence.

He managed to play just two matches for Independence before parting ways with Colorado on June 30