A former National High School Player of the Year and two-year standout at the University of Washington, Cristian Roldan has shown promise throughout his young career taking the next step when he was selected by Seattle Sounders FC during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The active midfielder was key in helping the club claim the 2016 MLS Cup title, which helped lead to his first U.S. Men’s National Team call-up and debut during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Career highlights:
- Part of the MNT’s 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship team
- Became cap-tied to the U.S. when he started the MNT’s 3-2 win vs. Martinique in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage on July 12, 2017
- Was a key cog in midfield for Seattle Sounders FC during their run to the 2016 MLS Cup
- Won 2013 National High School Player of the Year
Personal: His father Cesar is from Guatemala and mother Ana is from El Salvador … Had the opportunity to play for both countries as well as the United States … Out of respect to all three countries, never put his hand over his heart during the “Star Spangled Banner” until his first cap for the U.S. Men’s National Team on July 12, 2017 vs. Martinique … Is close friends with MNT and Sounders FC teammate Jordan Morris … Younger brother Alex was selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the first round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft …
U.S. National Team: 2017: Appeared in one match, making his MNT debut and becoming cap-tied in the USA’s 3-2 win vs. Martinique during the Group Stage of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup (July 12) … Part of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship squad, Roldan was replaced following the Group Stage, but returned to celebrate with the team when they defeated Jamaica 2-1 in the Final (July 26) … Called up, but didn’t play in the MNT’s September World Cup Qualifiers … 2015: U-20s: Appeared in two friendly matches, coming on as a sub in a 2-2 draw vs. Qatar (April 21) and 1-0 win vs. Croatia (April 5) … First Appearance: July 12, 2017 vs. Martinique … First Goal: none …
Professional: 2017: Started all 33 regular season appearances while tallying six goals and three assists … Played every minute of Sounders FC’s five MLS Cup playoff matches as the club fell 1-0 to Toronto FC in the Final… Recorded his first career brace in a 3-0 win vs. San Jose (July 23) … 2016: In his second year as a pro, Roldan emerged as a mainstay in Seattle’s Starting XI, as he partnered with Osvaldo Alonso in Brian Schmetzer’s 4-2-3-1 formation helping the club to the 2016 MLS Cup title … Made 28 starts in 33 MLS appearances, improving on his rookie statistics in every category. By season’s end, the University of Washington product tallied four goals and three assists.His first goal came in a 5-0 rout against FC Dallas (July 13), then followed up with another score two weeks later against the LA Galaxy. Roldan netted his third goal of the campaign in a 3-1 win over Portland (August 21), then added his fourth goal with a game-winning tally against Real Salt Lake on Decision Day (October 23). In the postseason, Roldan played all six matches, helping Seattle’s defense secure four clean sheets as well as the club’s first MLS Cup title … 2015:The No. 16 overall pick from the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Washington, Roldan made 11 starts from 22 league appearances in the midfield – the third-most games played by a rookie in team history. He also appeared in each of the club’s three postseason matches. A versatile workhorse, Roldan was relied upon to play various roles in midfield, and even dropped to left-back for the extra time period in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals against FC Dallas (November 8). Roldan ranked eighth on the club with 12 shot attempts and his nine corner kicks ranked fifth. Roldan recorded his first career MLS assist on a goal by Obafemi Martins in a 3-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (September 19).
College: In two decorated seasons at the University of Washington, Roldan started 38 of his 41 appearances, scoring 10 goals and seven assists. As a sophomore in 2014, the midfielder appeared in 19 games, including 17 starts, scored three goals—two of which were game-winners—and added two assists. He netted the overtime winner at Portland (September 27), and headed in a late game-winner against San Diego State (October 26). An All-Pac-12 First Team selection, Roldan was also named to the NSCAA Third Team All-America team, the TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI, and the NSCAA All-Far West Region team. In 2013, Roldan was named the Soccer America National Freshman of the Year, and was ranked the No. 2 freshman in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com. He started all 22 games on the season, scoring seven goals and tallying five assists. In a 5-3 victory against San Diego State, Roldan scored two goals and added two assists (October 18). Roldan had game-winning headers against Oregon State (October 14) and San Diego State (October 25). In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Roldan had a game and an assist in Washington’s 4-2 win over Seattle University. The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year was also named to the All-Pac-12 First Team. He earned National Player of the Week honors twice: October 22 and November 26.
Youth: Roldan was named the 2013 National Player of the Year after leading El Racho High School to the Southern Section Division III title and a 29-2-1 record. In his senior campaign, Roldan scored 54 goals and amassed 31 assists. In 2012, he was named the Daily News Player of the Year, scoring 21 goals and adding 21 assists. He played club soccer for Union Independiente.
