MIAMI, Fla. (December 23, 2019) – Inter Miami CF announced today it has acquired Haitian youth international defender Denso Ulysse from USL Championship side Tacoma Defiance. Inter Miami CF has also signed Homegrown goalkeeper Drake Callender after acquiring his Homegrown Player Rights on November 12, 2019.
“We’re happy to add a player with Denso’s potential to our inaugural roster,” said Inter Miami CF Sporting Director Paul McDonough. “He has had tremendous success in the USL, and we hope to continue his upward trajectory.”
Ulysse, a 21-year-old speedy fullback, joins Inter Miami after three seasons with the Seattle Sounders FC’s USL Championship team the Tacoma Defiance, where he made 58 appearances. He earned USL All-League Second Team honors and was named to the USL 20 Under 20 List for the 2018 season.
“He is a versatile right-back who can get up and down the pitch,” added McDonough. “He can win the ball in defense as well as provide an attacking outlet.”
The defender was called up to the Haitian U-23 National Team both in July and in September for Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers.
Prior to joining Tacoma, Ulysse played for Haitian club Real Hope Football Academy.
Callender, a 22-year-old goalkeeper, was acquired by Inter Miami from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for the first pick of the second round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft (No. 27 overall) on November 12. In addition, San Jose can receive up to $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) if Callender meets certain performance-based metrics.
“We’re excited to sign Drake to a contract after acquiring his Homegrown Rights from San Jose,” said McDonough. “He’s a driven, young goalkeeper who stood out at the collegiate level both on and off the pitch.”
The Sacramento, Calif. native joins from NCAA Division I University of California, Berkeley. He played at the school for four years, making 54 appearances and keeping 16 clean sheets.
Callender was named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA All-Far West Region First Team and the All-Pac-12 First Team for the 2017 season. For the 2018 season, he was named to the preseason MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and earned United Soccer Coaches NCAA All-Far West Region Third Team and All-Pac-12 Second Team honors.
The 6-foot-3 goalkeeper was invited to the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team training camp in September. The training camp is part of the U.S.’s campaign to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami will play all of its home matches at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale starting with the first-ever match on Sunday, March 14 against the LA Galaxy. Located off Commercial Boulevard and I-95, the stadium stands adjacent to the Club’s new 50,000 square foot state of the art training facility which includes seven professional fields. The facility will be the home to all Inter Miami teams including MLS, USL League One and Academy. It will also host international clubs, tournaments and local high school sporting events.
For more information on how to secure season tickets, visit intermiamicf.com/tickets or call an Inter Miami sales representative at 305-428-0611.
