Someone pinch Alex Roldan—he may think he’s dreaming after making an outstanding international debut and leading El Salvador’s ‘La Selecta’ to a 2-0 win over rival Guatemala in Concacaf Gold Cup play.
After a 64th minute substitution, Roldan came on for Houston Dynamo midfielder Darwin Ceren and slotted into a central midfielder role during the Group A match at Toyota Stadium. Following a dominant, possession-filled first-half performance, Alex broke the deadlock and scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute, placing a stamp on his El Salvador debut. The goal was scored from right outside the 18-yard box through a low-driven shot that blasted past Guatemalan goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.
“A player always wants to score a goal and fortunately enough I was in the position to score a goal and we won the game,” said Roldan. “It was a debut that every player dreams of. To enter, help the team, and score a goal was a perfect moment for me.”
With just under 30 minutes of play on the night, Roldan was named Player of the Match and was awarded the Goal of the Day by Concacaf Gold Cup.
This terrific run of form from the Seattle Sounders wingback began just seven days ago. Coming off of a two-match week that saw the 24-year-old score his first MLS goal in one and tally a game-winning assist in the other, Alex had only three days of rest before joining El Salvador for their first match in Group A of the Gold Cup this past Sunday night.
“Coach Hugo Perez is preparing the team for some difficult games ahead, and this game was really difficult,” said Alex Roldan. “He’s given us the tactics and ability to attack and hopefully, win points from these teams. The upcoming games against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico are going to be very tough games—they’re two talented teams and we have to give all our effort to get points.”
La Selecta will now prepare for their second match of Group A action against Trinidad & Tobago set for Wednesday, July 14 (4:30 pm PT; FS1, TUDN).
