Cristian Roldan's milestone moment comes as he eyes 2026 FIFA World Cup spot

The Sounders may have left America First Field with a 2-1 loss against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28, but Cristian Roldan came away with a silver lining that reflects the many years of hard work he’s put into the club.

Down 2-0 the 62nd minute, the midfielder raced to the near post and flicked Albert Rusnák’s corner kick with his head, guiding the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. His clever finish not only halved the deficit, but also moved him into sixth place on the club’s all-time scoring list with 44 career all-competitions goals, passing iconic striker Obafemi Martins.

“When I think of some of the all-time greats in Sounders history, I think of attacking players like Clint [Dempsey] and Oba, Marco Pappa,” said Roldan. “And so, to be in the same list as them, obviously, is really nice and rewarding.”

It reflects his 12-season journey with the club, being able to sustain playing at a high level, and having the ability to play multiple positions throughout his career. Rather than a personal achievement, it signifies his path that led up to the milestone, the many competitions he participated in, and all the other goals he’s been able to witness from his teammates.

“It's been a really cool and awesome career all together,” said Roldan.​

His longevity at the club is a testament to his adaptable nature as a player, his consistency, and his growth into an eventual leader of the team — three qualities that have also benefitted him beyond the Rave Green.

As someone who has familiarity with playing different positions on the wing and in the central midfield, the California native was featured on the 26-man U.S. Men’s National Team roster as a versatile option for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Fast forward to today, Roldan has been called up to numerous camps and friendlies with the USMNT squad in the past year following his transition as a permanent No. 6 for the Sounders.

“Being able to play multiple positions can get you on the squad, but really being good at one position can also solidify your spot,” said Roldan. “And I think I've done it in both ways.”

Some of his “better attributes" like “being able to tackle, bringing a lot of energy, [his] voice, and [his] leadership” have translated well at the international level, ultimately benefitting both himself and the USMNT. 

Now, it’s up to him to continue that form as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.

Roldan has yet to be confirmed as one of the USMNT midfielders in the upcoming tournament, but understands in order to earn that position, he needs to perform with the Sounders as a reliable and impactful asset in every training session and match.

“[Mauricio] Pochettino is a coach that wants a lot of trust in players, same for Schmetz, and so being able to bring that each and every weekend is going to be really important for me to give myself the best chance of making the squad.”

With sights set on participating in the biggest sporting competition on the planet, he knows that he will have to stay fully present and committed to the Sounders as they navigate the regular season.

“It really does start with Seattle,” said Roldan. “We had a good game [vs. the Rapids], a bad game [vs. RSL]. Now, can we bounce back?”

“I think, as a team, as a player, we can have better performances,” he continued. “At the end of the day, I'm a professional, and I want to apply myself to each and every game. And so, of course, people can be distracted. But for me, my best chance of making the World Cup squad is doing my part here with the Sounders.”