It was a special night at Lumen Field as the Seattle Sounders returned to MLS regular season competition on their home turf after seven-plus weeks away.
From the loud, energetic crowd of the Sounders supporters to the 4-1 performance displayed on the pitch, it was the perfect way to re-commence league play.
One player in particular, however, will look back on the win as one he’ll never forget.
Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan left it all on the field on Saturday night as he guided the team toward three points with a brace in the first half. The first came in the 22nd minute off a powerful header from Albert Rusnák’s corner kick and his second came just 15 minutes later in similar fashion as the Slovak international found Roldan once again to finish one-time at the back post.
“Those two goals started us on a path to a comfortable victory,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
In addition to the two goals, the long-time Sounder put up big numbers on both ends of the pitch, serving as the No. 6 for the Rave Green for most of the match before finishing the remaining 30 minutes as one of the team’s two center backs. He closed out the night with a pass completion rate of 95%, while providing 10 passes into the final third, 7 clearances, 2 interceptions and 8 recoveries.
“He was excellent,” said Schmetzer. “He was excellent in not only his goal scoring acumen, you know, because he's good in the air, but all the work, the leadership, all the stuff he does…. I thought he had a great performance.”
At some point in the next two months, Roldan will learn whether he will be a part of the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His showing in tonight’s victory over St. Louis undoubtedly put him one step closer in cementing a spot for the biggest sporting competition on the planet.
“I don't see myself as a lock by any means, and so I have to keep performing here with the Sounders to give myself the best chance,” said Roldan. “And look, I don't get on the score sheet very often, but when I do, I have to appreciate it, and I can't take it for granted, but I just hope that I'm being seen for all the little things that I do for the group. And then anytime I get a goal or an assist, it's a bonus.”
Beyond the stat sheet, tonight’s match was a representation of something bigger than soccer. Following his second goal, the midfielder celebrated with the ball underneath his jersey, indicating he was expecting a second child with his wife, Ciana.
“We're going to have an addition to our family in August,” said Roldan. “Life is going to change very, very fast. But you know, we have the luxury of having another little one, and I'm excited for it.”
