Seattle Sounders defender Abdoulaye Cissoko reveals talks with Senegal national team
By Chris Smith
Seattle Sounders centre-back Abdoulaye Cissoko has revealed he is in contact with the Senegal national team regarding a call-up.
Born in Sevres, France, to Senegalese parents, Cissoko - nicknamed 'AB' - came up through local side Les Ulis before joining San Diego Zest in 2019.
The 21-year-old quickly earned a move to the Sounders' USL affiliate, Tacoma Defiance and has impressed so much that he was made a part of the senior set-up in May.
“I’ve been pleased with AB’s performance training with the First Team during pre-season and he has earned his MLS contract,” said Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer at the time. “His tenacity and competitiveness going up against our veteran attacking players has shown us that he is up to the challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues to improve from here.”
Cissoko has settled brilliantly into the Sounders' backline, averaging three tackles per 90 minutes, as well as 2.5 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per 90.
This has been enough to draw the attention of the Senegal national team, according to the player himself.
“Yes, I have already had discussions with the Federation,” Cissoko told French football magazine Onze Mondial (via Sounder at Heart). “Unfortunately with Covid, it was complicated. There were no games last year. I have to keep working. I have to improve myself. I know that one day I will reach this level. I must continue to work"
Given his humble roots, getting a call-up for Senegal would be quite the achievement for Cissoko, who is still rather wet behind the ears at senior club level.
Les Lions de la Téranga are currently 21st in FIFA's world rankings and although they've never won the Africa Cup of Nations, they were runners-up as recently as 2019 when they lost 1-0 to Algeria in the final.
Seattle currently top the Western Conference table, sitting three points clear of Sporting KC after their 2-1 win over Columbus Crew at the weekend.
Next up for the Sounders is a Rivalry Week tie against the Portland Timbers, a side they beat 6-2 just over a week ago.