Sunday night’s 3-1 Seattle Sounders win over the LA Galaxy was quite the homecoming for midfielder Cristian Roldan. The Pico Rivera, Calif., native grew up just outside Los Angeles and went to Dignity Health Sports Park as a kid to watch the Galaxy play. He was inspired to try and one day play professionally in that stadium, and on Sunday he scored his first two career goals there.
“To be able to play in L.A., there are difference circumstances with my family not here [because of COVID-19 restrictions], but it’s extra special,” said Roldan. “Hopefully I can continue on this track.”
His brace against the Galaxy put him to six career goals against LA, with his previous four coming at CenturyLink Field. He’s now scored against the Galaxy more than any other team in MLS.
Roldan opened his 2020 account with an easy tap-in after a Jordan Morris run down the left flank before pulling off an audacious chip over goalkeeper David Bingham on a breakaway in the second half. Roldan was deployed in a more advanced attacking role on Sunday, sliding onto the right wing in place of the injured Joevin Jones rather than in his more preferred position as a box-to-box central midfielder.
The versatility that Roldan provides is just one of the countless reasons why Head Coach Brian Schmetzer loves having the 25-year-old on his team.
“Six years,” Schmetzer said. “[Roldan has] been here a long time. The kid’s been great for us in a lot of seasons, a lot of different positions. Always gives it his all. Always works hard. I can’t say enough about how he drives the team through leadership through example. Tonight he got a reward.”
Every player on the Sounders’ roster is prepared to do his job in the ultimate “next man up” mentality, and Sunday’s win was no different. With forward Raúl Ruidíaz suspended, Will Bruin earned his first start since tearing his ACL last year and did a tremendous job. And with Jones sidelined with an ankle sprain, Roldan provided an offensive spark when it was needed.
“To have a complete, full roster that can compete for a starting spot and also compete in training to make practice very competitive is something that the Sounders’ front office has done a really good job of,” said Roldan. “Adding in players like Brad [Smith] to come in and make a difference. That’s the reason why we’ve had success these last six years.”
Roldan and the Sounders return to action next on Saturday as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
