Position: Defender
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 212 lbs.
DOB: December 27, 1999
Hometown: Les Ulis, France
Pronunciation: Ab-duh-lie Siss-OKO
Previous Club: Memphis 901 FC
Abdoulaye “AB” Cissoko Bio
Career Highlights:
- MLS NEXT Pro Best XI (2023)
- MLS Experience with Seattle Sounders FC (26 appearances, 18 starts)
2024 (Memphis 901 FC): Logged more than 2,500 minutes, leading his team with 20 blocks… Contributed offensively with a goal and an assist… Played a key role in Memphis’ defense, ranking among the team’s top five in minutes played… Registered 22 tackles at a 64.7% success rate and 18 interceptions, solidifying his presence both defensively and offensively.
2023 (Tacoma Defiance – Loan from Seattle Sounders FC): Earned MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honors following a standout season with Tacoma Defiance… Demonstrated his versatility on both ends of the pitch across 16 appearances in the regular season and playoffs… Won 32 tackles at a 76.2% success rate and 77 duels at a 62.6% clip… Contributed offensively, netting five goals – four from the penalty spot – the second-most among MLS NEXT Pro defenders in 2023.
2022 (Seattle Sounders FC & Tacoma Defiance): Started in all five of his appearances for the Sounders, tallying eight interceptions… Was available for selection on 15 occasions, contributing to the Sounders’ defense… Started 14 matches for Tacoma Defiance on loan, finishing third on the team with seven goals… Played all 120 minutes in the Sounders FC’s 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against San Jose, with the squad falling in penalties.
2021 (Seattle Sounders FC & Tacoma Defiance): Signed with the First Team after impressing during preseason… Made his First Team debut as a starter in Seattle’s 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy (June 19)… Started 12 of 14 appearances for Sounders FC, totaling 966 minutes… Made his Audi MLS Cup Playoffs debut as a late substitute against Real Salt Lake, scoring his penalty in the shootout… Made five starts for Tacoma Defiance, logging 405 minutes.
2020 (Tacoma Defiance): Made 12 appearances for Tacoma during the 2020 campaign, including nine starts… Scored one goal, netting it against Reno 1868 on September 18, 2020… Amassed a total of 818 minutes, contributing defensively and offensively for Defiance.
Early Career: Cissoko came up through local French club CO Les Ulis, the same club that produced French internationals Patrice Evra, Anthony Martial, and Thierry Henry… Competed as an amateur for SD Zest of USL League 2 in 2019 before signing with Tacoma Defiance.
Personal: Nephew of former Premier League striker Demba Ba
