Major League Soccer has listed Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan as No. 13 on its annual “24 Under 24” list highlighting the league’s 24 best players under 24 years old.
Roldan, 22, was No. 24 on last year’s edition. Sounders forward Jordan Morris, who was No. 3 last year, was also named as a finalist on 2017’s 50-person short list.
“It’s humbling for sure to be on that list,” Roldan said. “There’s quite a few young [Designated Players] on that list so to be alongside them and even higher than a few is a satisfying feeling, but for me there’s more room for improvement to get to the highest point.”
Roldan has had a breakthrough season in his third year as a professional, posting a career high with six goals from defensive midfield and matching his career high with three assists. He also earned his first United States national team call-up this past summer and was a part of U.S. Head Coach Bruce Arena’s last World Cup Qualifying team.
“He’s young and has a lot of talent and I think that’s what’s giving him a lot of success right now,” goalkeeper Stefan Frei said of Roldan. “He’s humble, he’s showing up for work every day, he’s listening to veterans, he’s trying to get better, he’s not resting on the success he’s having right now.”
Added center back Chad Marshall: “It’s not often you see young guys come in and put in the work that he does each and every day, taking care of his body, being the professional that he is. It’s super refreshing to see and a testament to the kind of person he is and the player he wants to become.”
