While the FIFA World Cup will dominate the headlines this summer, more than just the 32 competing countries have matches this month. This includes the United States, which defeated Bolivia 3-0 on May 28 and visits Ireland on Saturday and France on June 9 for international friendlies.
With a slew of young talent was brought into camp, it’s a transitional period for the Stars and Stripes. Not among them, though, was Cristian Roldan – and he is perfectly OK with that. He opted to stay in Seattle to help the Sounders improve their form.
“Things are rough at the moment in terms of our standing and our play, so to have another guy down can drain the team,” Roldan said. “We just felt that it was in all of our best interests for me to stay.”
Roldan was in conversation with Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and U.S. interim manager Dave Sarachan. The 22-year-old midfielder made his international debut during the 2017 Gold Cup against Martinique, then made two more appearances in January.
Despite these call-ups, it’s unclear where Roldan sits in the national team picture moving forward. The average age for the roster against Bolivia was 22 years, 286 days – less than 100 days younger than Roldan’s current age. To commit to the club at this stage of his career shows an impressive amount of dedication for the young midfielder, who has been given the captain’s armband while Ozzie Alonso recovers from injury and Nicolás Lodeiro remains with Uruguay.
“It’s not about getting the armband for a couple games,” Roldan said. I came into this year wanting to take on a new role. It’s my fourth year on the team and there aren’t too many guys here from when I started. It’s time for me to step up and feel like I can be captain for this team for the long run, but that’s not my decision to make. If the armband goes back to Ozzie, I am going to be OK with that. I want to lead the best way I can and help the team the best way I possibly can do so."
Roldan and the Sounders face RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Youtube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
