SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 today announced that it has signed defender Denso Ulysse to a new contract for the 2019 season, following a strong 2018 campaign that saw the right back earn USL All-League Second Team honors. The club also exercised the contract options of defender Nick Hinds, forward Shandon Hopeau and midfielders Antonee Burke-Gilroy and Jesse Daley. Defender Sam Rogers, midfielder Marlon Vargas and forwards Azriel Gonzalez, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez and Ray Serrano were already under contract for next season, in addition to 2019 signings Alec Diaz, Danny Leyva and Danny Robles.
Ulysse, 19, was named to the USL All-League Second Team and the USL 20 Under 20 List at the conclusion of the 2018 regular season. He led S2 with 28 starts and 2,466 minutes played in 2018, and started every game in which he appeared. The right back led all S2 defenders and ranked tied for fourth on the club in shots (20), and ranked first among S2 defenders with 20 chances created. Ulysse also led multiple defensive categories for Seattle, including 78 interceptions and 144 duels won, while ranking tied for the club lead with 13 blocked shots. His 78 interceptions were tied for the third-most in the league.
Additionally, the club declined the contract options of defenders Jalen Markey and Ibrahim Usman, and announced that defender Rodrigue Ele, midfielder Francisco Narbon and forward David Olsen are out of contract and will not return to the team. The club’s current roster sits at 13 players ahead of the 2019 USL season.
“We’d like to thank Jalen, Ibrahim, Rodrigue, Francisco and David for the time and efforts they invested in our club,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development Marc Nicholls. “They were all an important part of our team while they were here, and we wish them great success in the future.”
S2’s current roster is listed below by positional breakdown. Ten of the 13 players are currently 19 years of age or younger, while the other three are 21 years old. Six players on the current S2 roster were part of the Sounders FC Academy U-17 squad that won the 2017-2018 USSDA National Championship. Seven players on the roster have spent time in the United States youth national team system, including Sam Rogers, who is currently a starting centerback for the U-20 squad.
CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2 ROSTER
Defenders (3): Nick Hinds, Sam Rogers, Denso Ulysse
Midfielders (5): Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Jesse Daley, Danny Leyva, Danny Robles, Marlon Vargas
Forwards (5): Alec Diaz, Azriel Gonzalez, Shandon Hopeau, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Ray Serrano
