After piquing United States national team head coach Bruce Arena’s interest over the past six to eight months, Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan earned his first international call-up for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. A member of the 23-man group stage roster, Roldan won his first cap on July 12 when he started in a 3-2 win over Martinique.
Born in Los Angeles to Guatemalan and Salvadoran parents, Roldan was eligible to play for three countries. But when Arena and the U.S. finally knocked, Roldan answered, proudly donning the U.S. kit while inundated with emotion.
“This country has given a lot to my family,” Roldan told SoundersFC.com, “and hopefully this is one way of giving back.”
Roldan’s gregarious personality helped acclimate him immediately with a group largely comprised of younger and first-time national teamers. He bonded instantly with Joe Corona and Paul Arriola, each of whom, like Roldan, speaks English and Spanish fluently, and even brought along the video game Mario Kart to help make friends easier.
Roldan’s transition to the international level was also aided by close friend and Sounders teammate Jordan Morris, who started and recorded his first U.S. brace against Martinique.
“[Morris is] a good role model,” said Roldan. “I’m happy for him, and it’s always nice to have a guy like him in camp with you because he helps guide you and tells you how things go.
“I’m very proud of him and what he’s doing,” he continued. “Him scoring two goals while I’m on the field is something that I never dreamt of being a part of. I wish Jordan the very best because he deserves the very best because of all the hard work he does on and off the field.”
While Sounders forward Clint Dempsey joined Morris for the knockout rounds of the Gold Cup, Roldan returned along with five others to their respective clubs. Even with just a couple weeks with the U.S., Roldan noticed how fast and demanding the international game is. He’s hoping the game will slow down even more now with the Sounders and that he can continue to elevate his play.
Roldan left U.S. camp on positive terms with Arena and has future caps on his radar.
“It gave me a glimpse of what it can be, of what my career can end up as,” said Roldan. “It’s going to make me a little bit hungrier each and every camp because I want to be a part of that team and what they’re doing.
“[Arena] thought I played well,” he continued. “I think the world of Bruce. I think he’s a great leader and great for the national team…Hopefully I impressed him a little bit.”
