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The breakout season of Seattle Sounders’ top right back prospect has not gone unnoticed. After being ranked 7th on the USL 20 under 20 list earlier this offseason, Denso Ulysse has earned a second honor, this time with no age restrictions, by being named to the USL All-League Second Team. The 19-year-old Haitian is the first Sounders 2 player to be selected for either All-League team and the youngest on this year’s teams by three years. He is also one of just five players selected for the All-League teams from a side that didn’t make the playoffs this season.
Two games into the 2018 season, this outcome did not look likely for Ulysse. He was pulled from S2’s away opener against Swope Park and it seemed as though his career trajectory may be headed in the wrong direction. He took the benching well though, and the next time he appeared he looked a player reborn.
Ulysse improved his defensive positioning and offensive consistency throughout the year, which, combined with his athleticism and skills on the ball, turned him into one of the league's top two right backs. At season’s end, Ulysse was third in the league in interceptions with 76, and third on S2 in chances created with 20, just 7 behind team leader Shandon Hopeau.
It is still unclear where Ulysse will play his soccer next season, but with stats like those and two awards under his belt he has certainly made his case for a chance with the First team.