By, Jilleen Barrett & Isaiah Rosario, A&E/Managing Editor & Staff Writer
Manhattan College alumni Francois Dulysse signed a professional contract with USL League One League team New England Revolution II, and was later drafted by New England Revolution, making him 51st overall in the 2021 MLS Super Draft.
On April 10, Dulysse made his professional debut with the Revolution before he graduated from college in May.
Dulysse’s collegiate career was split between the University of Central Florida and Manhattan College. He played 15 games as a Knight before he transferred to Manhattan College in 2019, ultimately logging over 1,000 minutes with the Jaspers.
Dulysse felt a sense of family on the men’s soccer team at Manhattan, citing former teammate Desmond Cole as having a particularly significant influence on him.
“[Cole] is a guy that I turn to,” Dulysse said. “He taught me what leadership truly meant. We were both co-captains so, we kind of bounced off each other with everything off each other.”
He also mentioned he looked up to Jorden Scott, head coach of the team. Scott believes Dulysse’s success comes largely from “his relentlessness and his personality” as well as his commitment to the game.
“I wouldn’t say he’s the most knowledgeable tactically … but what he knew was that if he worked hard enough at something, and he was in complete focus in pursuit of where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do, that he would eventually get there,” Scott said.
In 2018 Dulysse started three games for the U-20 Haiti Team, which is where he is originally from, during the 2018 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers. In March 2020, Dulysse was called up to the Haiti U-23 but unfortunately could not make an appearance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biggest stage was just ahead of him, though. In 2021, Frankie made an appearance in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup facing teams like the USA, Canada, Bermuda, Martinique and lastly Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Haiti went 3-2 in the Gold Cup while tallying 13 goals and conceding eight goals.
Dulysse described how it felt to not only be on a professional team but play for his home country in Haiti.
“It was surreal,” Ulysse said. “Growing up, you know, watching the Haitian national team playing Gold Cup, play in a Copa America, whatever tournament it may be … You watch those guys you’re always thinking, ‘Wow, I would do anything to be in a position to be in their shoes and play on that field on TV’ and you know, actually being able to do that and realizing that I had accomplished one of my dreams … That was something I will thank God for the rest of my life.”
Scott spoke about some of Dulysse’s attributes that gave him the capability to become a professional athlete.
“He was a great leader,” Scott said. “First and foremost, he’s a phenomenal soccer player, he understands the game, he can play on various positions. He can lead … His team is organized. He is demanding of his teammates.”
Marcellin Gohier, a former teammate of Dulysse’s at Manhattan, recalled his favorite moments with Dulysse.
“Five French guys were playing at the time [they were on the team together] … I was a keeper and then the three other guys were defenders and
Frankie [Dulysse] understands some of the French because he is from Haiti so he does speak [French-based creole], so he would understand that a little bit so we would have some fun sometimes.”
While Dulysse may be playing professionally now, he has not forgotten the value of his time at Manhattan. He says being on the soccer team and developing a sense of camaraderie contributes to his abilities as a professional player today.
“As soon as I got there [Manhattan] everyone welcomed me as I was part of the family and I feel like to truly build strong relationships with people, gaining trust and everything like that, you have to be welcoming and loving to not only your teammates … but to trainers, coaches, everybody in the staff, equipment managers … Being a part of Jasper Nation is something that I will be grateful for forever.”