Back in 2016, Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan represented a bright future for the Seattle Sounders.
Two of the most promising young players in the league, Morris and Roldan helped the Sounders complete a historic midseason turnaround en route to winning the club’s first MLS Cup title. Just 22 and 21-years-old at the time, the pair appeared poised to grow their roles on the team and lift more trophies.
Fast forward seven years, Morris and Roldan have fulfilled that potential. The pair have reached four MLS Cup Finals – winning two – and were instrumental in the Sounders becoming the first MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League. They've grown from up-and-comers to two of the best players in the league.
On Thursday, the Seattle Sounders announced Morris and Roldan had agreed to new contracts that will keep them in Rave Green through 2027.
“I can’t say enough about what good people they are,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “Their on-field performances have matched or exceeded what they do off the field. They’ve been very valuable, very important members of a lot of games and championships for the club.”
For Morris, who has tallied 48 goals and 27 assists across 153 MLS appearances, the opportunity to continue competing for trophies with his hometown club was too enticing to pass up.
“It means everything,” said Morris. “This is the club I grew up supporting. I knew I always wanted to play for this club. To know that I’m going to spend a big part of my career here means a ton. I think we’ve accomplished so much as a group. Individually, I’m very proud of everything I’ve accomplished on the field. I just have even more desire to keep going and keep accomplishing things as a group.”
Roldan might not have grown up in Seattle, but his roots in the community run deep. He trained alongside the likes of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins while still a freshman at the University of Washington. Since signing with the club in 2015, he’s gone on to make over 275 appearances across all competitions, cementing his status as an irreplaceable member of the Rave Green.
“I think it’s rare in football that you spend so much time with one club,” said Roldan. “I’ve always felt loyal to the Sounders from the very beginning. To be here and at least signed up to 13 years is something to be thankful for and never take any moment that I have with the club for granted. Hopefully I can bring more trophies to the club.”
As the club prepares for its 50th anniversary next year, it’s impossible to discuss the history of the Seattle Sounders without mentioning Morris and Roldan. With both players still in their prime, they are poised to lead the club as it strives to reach new heights.
“We’ve grown up [together] and were the young guys coming through, now we’re in the older side of the time and part of the core that’s been here for a while,” said Morris. “So, continue to be leaders and not be complacent… Keep pushing this team forward to try to win more championships. That’s what we’re here for: to come together as a group and win championships. I know Cristian and I are hungry and we’re going to push this team every day to be a successful team in this league.”
Much like Morris, Roldan emphasized that their singular focus is on lifting more trophies in Rave Green.
“I didn’t sign this deal to be happy and ride out my career here,” he said. “I stayed here to win. That’s my mindset going forward.”
