Voting for 2018 Sounder at Heart Young Player of the Year

This award is given by the readers of Sounder at Heart to the player under the age of 23 who had the best year in 2018. Members of the Seattle Sounders First Team, S2, the Academy, and Academy alums still within the organization (potential HGPs and/or Sounders U23 players) are eligible. Staff has reduced the list of potential winners to 10, no previous winners are eligible.

Previous winners of the Sounder at Heart Young Player of the Year award are Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan (twice), DeAndre Yedlin (twice), Andy Rose, Servando Carrasco, Steve Zakuani and Fredy Montero.

Handwalla Bwana

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder split time between S2 and the First Team collecting 843 minutes including a start in the CCL collecting two goals and two assists.

Felix Chenkam

The 19-year-old forward scored four goals in his 669 minutes with S2 and 120 minutes in US Open Cup action, earning a First Team contract during the height of the injury crisis. He then suffered his own hamstring injury and eventually needed surgery for a herniated disc.

Alec Diaz

The 16-year-old forward spent most of the past season with the Sounders Academy U17s (13 goals), but eventually earned his way to play with S2 where he played 312 minutes, scoring and assisting twice each. He is on a professional contract in 2019.

Rodrigue Ele

The 19-year-old centerback was 19th in the USL’s 20 under 20 list. Ele played 1978 minutes between S2 and his single appearance in the US Open Cup. Rodrigue is currently a free agent.

Azriel Gonzalez

The youngest signing to S2, at the time, the now 17-year-old earned 1086 minutes in USL with S2 and 956 minutes in USSDA with the Sounders U19s. He scored 3 goals with each team. Azriel also had 3 assists in USL play.

Shandon Hopeau

The Academy grad just spent his second year as a pro with S2. At 19 he took over the captains armband by the end of the season. An attacking mid and forward Hopeau scored 2 goals and assisted another. He will be with S2 (under whatever name) next year.

Trey Muse

The 19-year-old was the Big 10 keeper of the year as a sophomore. After two years with the Sounders Academy the keeper is one of the brightest talents in college soccer with nine solo shutouts.

Nouhou

The 21-year-old left back lost his job and got it back quickly in 2018. At left back Nouhou is rapidly being recognized as a strong defender with excellent speed. In his 2427 minutes in all competitions he tallied a single assist with no goals scored.

Sam Rogers

Like centerback partner Ele, Rogers made the 20 under 20 list, despite missing large swaths of the season to illness, injury and national team callup. Rogers only took the field for 814 minutes in 2018, scoring no goals. Rogers is under contract for 2019 and is currently with the US U20s.

Denso Ulysse

A sparkling talent at right back the 19-year-old lead S2 in minutes played. His 2466 minutes in USL action were from starting four more times than any other player and more than 600 more than any other defender. He was 7th on the 20 under 20 and made USL Second Team. He is

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