Cristian Roldan was not a part of the Seattle Sounders Academy, but that didn’t stop the organization from keeping close tabs on him. The Pico Rivera, Calif., native was a standout at local University of Washington when then-Sounders Assistant Coach Brian Schmetzer and members of the front office scouted him.
Former Sounders General Manager Garth Lagerwey traded up in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft to select Roldan with the 16th overall pick. Eleven years later, in a 1-0 road win at the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night, Roldan earned his 400th Sounders appearance in all competitions. He joins current teammate as the only two players to join the Sounders’ 400 club and becomes the first outfield player to achieve that feat.
“Back then, he had great training habits,” Schmetzer said of scouting Roldan at UW. “We just knew he was going to be a pro.”
Roldan has since been a core piece to a franchise that has won two MLS Cups, a Concacaf Champions Cup and a Leagues Cup. He’s been a mainstay on the United States national team, making the 2022 FIFA World Cup roster and a hopeful for this summer’s 2026 tournament.
“I’ve played in a lot of games,” said Roldan. “At this point, it comes very naturally. There’s less butterflies than I once had. What I enjoy the most is—careers are short. Health is so important to be able to sustain a lot of games. Being available for me is the most important thing, so taking care of my body, making sure I sleep a whole lot. That’s been what has kept me on the field. Careers are short, you never know what’s going to happen. I’m just enjoying every moment and still loving the game. I hope I can play a few more.”
Saturday night’s win in Houston was a full circle moment, as Capitol Hill native and former Sounders Academy product Paul Rothrock scored the match-winner in the 83rd minute. The 27-year-old was in high school when Roldan began playing for the Sounders, and Rothrock played his games with cleats that Roldan had signed. On the evening of Roldan’s 400th game, it’s Rothrock who lifted Roldan and the Sounders to victory.
“This guy is a guy I’ve looked up to for a long time,” Rothrock said of Roldan. “It’s really cool to get to play beside him. He’s doing a lot of things that I aspire to do with the national team and the club… I feel very lucky to have guys like that at this club that are still playing and get to show us the way and get to show us what this club is about. I just try and copy that and emulate that.”
It’s hard to believe that Roldan is still just 30 years old. He recently took over the captain’s armband and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. He’s now hoping he can continue to lead the Sounders to success, both domestically and continentally, when the Sounders visit Liga MX’s Tigres on Wednesday in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match.
And for as good a career that Roldan has had on the field, his life off it has even further cemented his legacy as one of Seattle’s favorite adopted sons.
“What a tremendous story that is for a kid who has helped us win countless games, countless trophies,” said Schmetzer. “[Roldan’s] work ethic, his soccer acumen, all the things on the field. Nowadays, you want to talk about good human beings maybe not as often as we should, but what a great human being. Family man…everything about him.
“He’s just such a tremendous person, and I couldn’t be prouder, and I think the club and the fans should really be thankful that Cristian has been with us for 400 games because that’s a pretty big number. All of the little things he’s done in that time, in those 400 games, what a great professional and great Seattle Sounder.”
