Cristian Roldan experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in a wild sequence to end the Seattle Sounders’ Match Two win over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
After a scoreless 87 minutes, Roldan finally found the breakthrough with a go-ahead goal that appeared to send the Sounders, who were up a man after Hector Herrera was sent off in the 66th minute, firmly into the Western Conference Semifinal. But just six minutes later, Roldan was on the unfortunate end of an own goal trying to deflect a cross on the goal line by Griffin Dorsey.
Roldan then stepped up as the first penalty kick taker in the shootout and roofed his shot in similar fashion to his PK in Match One last Monday. He set the stage for the Sounders to win the game 7-6 on penalties and the Best-Of-3 series 2-0.
“We talk about being a professional and not getting too low and not getting too high,” said Roldan. “Much like the story of our season, if you go on a winning streak, you can’t be too high. If you’re struggling like in the beginning of the year like we did, you can’t get too low. When you’re stepping up for a PK having scored an own goal and what you thought was a [game-winning] goal, you have to believe in yourself and that’s what I felt like I did. I went up there with confidence and tried to give the team belief that we were going to win this game.”
The MLS veteran has been groomed into a leadership role throughout his decade in Seattle, playing alongside the likes of Ozzie Alonso, Gustav Svensson and João Paulo. He’s worn the captain’s armband on several occasions and has been a steadying force for the Sounders vocally and by example. His ability to brush off the late equalizer and convert to open the shootout is emblematic of the entire group’s resolve.
“The mentality of this team is very, very strong,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “It really surprised me tonight in some ways. I’ve seen it throughout the course of the year. I know the players, but to take a gut punch like that in the [third minute of stoppage time], for them to get [the goal] back and get scored on while a man up is a psychological blow. We came through and were able to regroup. Penalty kicks are not easy. Fans were going crazy behind us. The pressure is there. All of our guys put that pressure on their shoulders and made plays.”
Injury absences made it even more difficult on the Sounders, who were without leading goalscorer Jordan Morris (hamstring) and assist leader (hip). Roldan & Co. knew going into Sunday’s contest that they needed to get the job done and not leave their playoff fate to chance in a decisive Match Three back in Seattle.
“Good teams find ways to win when you’re not at your best,” said Roldan. “We always talk about having your best ‘C’ game. Today was one of those. We struggled, defended deep, and we were able to cap off the night and cap off the series. You give Houston a chance to come back to Seattle and anything can happen. Really proud of the group to have our best ‘C’ game and get out of this series and be able to rest up for another difficult matchup.”
The Sounders now await the winner of the LAFC and Vancouver Whitecaps series to determine their Western Conference Semifinal opponent. An LAFC series win would send the Sounders to Los Angeles for a date at the top-seeded Black and Gold, while a ‘Caps series victory would see the Sounders host their Cascadia rivals at Lumen Field.
Regardless of their next opponent, the Sounders are looking to ride this momentum as long as they can.
“Our culture is probably the best it’s ever been,” said Roldan. “The belief is there. While our team might not be the most talented, we believe in the way we play. We defend as a group, we make it difficult on teams and I hope we have a long postseason run.”
