United States men’s national team interim manager Dave Sarachan called in 21 players ahead of a friendly against Portugal in Leiria on Nov. 14 (12:45 p.m. PT; FS1, UniMas), a roster that was noticeably youth-laden and a stark contrast to the team that just failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan earned his first U.S. cap this past summer when he started against Martinique in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and has been on the U.S.’ radar for the better part of a year. Roldan, 22, on Tuesday said that if he were not still playing in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, he would have been called in as well.
“I spoke with them and they told me that they were not going to call any players who were still in the playoffs,” said Roldan in Spanish. “If we were not in the playoffs, I’d be in Portugal. But I’m content, I’m happy. We have to win this championship and we have to defend our cup.”
Fellow Sounder and U.S. international Jordan Morris likely would have received a call-up as well, but he is also still recovering from a strained hamstring that he suffered in September. Roldan, though, is confident in the team the U.S. has fielded and is looking forward to being a part of a young and talented group moving forward.
“You have to turn a negative into a positive,” said Roldan. “That’s bringing in new guys, young guys who are going to grow as human beings especially on the international level where it’s a whole new style of soccer, it’s a whole new pace of soccer and you have to really get accustomed to it. Guys like Tyler Adams, who I think’s incredible, [Weston] McKennie, those guys are going to get good national team experience especially against a quality side like Portugal.
“We hope we get many more friendlies like this because if you play these traditionally good international teams, you’re bound to get better as a nation.”
Roldan and the Sounders will visit the Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21 (7 p.m. PT; FS1, FOX Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM) before hosting the Dynamo in the return leg at CenturyLink Field on Thursday, Nov. 30 (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
