Two of the Seattle Sounders’ most prominent players are at last joining the team for preseason.
Forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldanstarted for the United States national team in a scoreless friendly draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The match concluded a three-week January camp with a plethora of new and young faces from around Major League Soccer.
Morris, who earned his first 90 minutes in all competitions since he and the U.S. played to a 1-1 draw at Honduras last September, had the third-most caps of anyone on the team with 24 entering Sunday and was eager to take on a new leadership role.
“I just tried to be a little more vocal,” Morris said. “I’m not necessarily the most vocal guy, but with a younger group like this, it’s always good to have a voice out there. There were a lot of leaders out there, but I was just trying to do my part with that.”
Roldan won his second cap after debuting for the U.S. in last summer’s Gold Cup and went 68 minutes in the midfield as a hybrid No. 8. The match was a good litmus test for Roldan, who spent much of camp trying to improve his long passing as he heads into his fourth professional season.
Playing alongside many other young players allowed Morris and Roldan to have an increased workload and responsibility, which will only work in their favor moving forward, for club and country.
“It was good to get to know all these new players and establish a rhythm with the national team,” Roldan said. “We wanted to win the game against Bosnia, but this stuff happens.”
Added Morris: “It was a group of guys who were hungry to make a point and prove themselves, and it made for a very intense and competitive camp…The coaches did a great job of putting together a good roster.
“It’s going to be good getting back in with the [Sounders], I’m excited to meet the new guys,” he continued. “We’ve got a big game coming up at the end of February, so it’ll be good to get back with the group.”
