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Tacoma Defiance

Three Sounders FC 2 Defenders Named to USL's 20 Under 20 List

October 12, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tacoma Defiance News Release


Ele of Sounders FC 2
Ele of Sounders FC 2
(Tacoma Defiance, Credit: Charis Wilson / Sounders FC)

SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC 2 has landed three players on the USL's annual 20 Under 20 list, which ranks the best players in the league at or under 20 years of age. Defenders Rodrigue Ele, Sam Rogers and Denso Ulysse have been recognized as three of the league's most talented young players. Ulysse came in seventh in the voting, while Rogers is 15th and Ele is 19th. Only Swope Park Rangers (4) have more representation on the list than S2. Votes were cast by the league's coaches and technical staff members.

Ulysse, 19, is the highest ranked defender on this year's list. He leads S2 with 27 starts and 2,376 minutes played this season, and has started every game in which he has played. The right-back leads all team defenders and ranks tied for fourth on the club in shots (20), and is tied for second on the club in chances created with 20, behind only midfielder Shandon Hopeau. Ulysse also leads multiple defensive categories for Seattle, including 74 interceptions and 143 duels won, while ranking tied for the club lead with 13 blocked shots.

Rogers, 19, makes the 20 Under 20 list for the second consecutive season. The Seattle native is the third-highest ranked defender on the list, behind only Ulysse and Swope Park's Jaylin Lindsey. The centerback has started in all 11 of his appearances this season and recorded 45 clearances and 22 interceptions despite missing several games due to injury and call-ups to the United States U-20 National Team.

Ele, 20, ranks among the top two in most of the club's defensive categories. The centerback has won a team-high 43 aerial duels at a 66.2 percent success rate and leads the club with 88 clearances in 22 games played, including 20 starts. Ele paces S2 with 1,138 passes attempted at an 84.4 accuracy rate. The Cameroonian is second on S2 in interceptions (45) and duels won (120) behind only fellow 20 Under 20 selection Ulysse, and ranks tied for first with him in blocks (13).

Sounders FC 2 plays its season finale on Saturday, October 13 at Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT and the match will be live-streamed on ESPN+.

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Images from this story

Denso Ulysse of Sounders FC 2
Denso Ulysse of Sounders FC 2
(Charis Wilson / Sounders FC)		 Sam Rogers of Sounders FC 2
Sam Rogers of Sounders FC 2
(Charis Wilson / Sounders FC)		 Ele of Sounders FC 2
Ele of Sounders FC 2
(Charis Wilson / Sounders FC)

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