He's In: Cristian Roldan Makes USMNT Cut Ahead of World Cup
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United States midfielder Cristian Roldan (6) battles for position against Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) in the first half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images [/caption]
The saga is over.
Cristian Roldan was one of 26 players named to the United States Men's National Team for the June FIFA World Cup after months of speculation on whether the 30-year-old would make the cut. Roldan, who has notched 45 caps with the USMNT, enters the largest sporting event in the world alongside stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. He's the only Sounder projected to play in this year's World Cup.
Roldan made the cut in Qatar in 2022 as the U.S. finished in the Round of 16, but never got on the pitch. If his form is good enough to get minutes this time around, local fans will get a chance to see him when the U.S. takes on Australia in the group stage on June 19 at Lumen Field (AKA Seattle Stadium for the next month and a half).
The USMNT will take on Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6 in friendlies as it ramps up.
With the eye of former skipper Gregg Berhalter in the past, Roldan's versatile skillset in the defending midfield captured the attention of new USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino in recent months as he made practically every camp the team has put on.
In October, Roldan delivered two assists in a 2-1 win over Australia in a friendly to help quiet a fanbase that largely isn't sold on his inclusion on account of Roldan's zero goals in nine years of service to the team. Still, the reactions online are largely negative as the Sounders star will have some hearts to sway if he gets on the pitch in June.
What Can Fans Expect of Roldan on the World Stage?
The last time Roldan was on the pitch in a world setting was the 2025 Club World Cup. He flashed with dynamic shots and stellar defense as Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer called Roldan the best player on the pitch amongst the likes of European powers like Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. The Sounders challenged both squads but ultimately lost both games.
Roldan's typical skillset is more muted, however. He's one of the most productive tacklers in MLS, leading the league in the statistic in 2025, while being solid in link-up play. He rarely makes questionable passes, though he has had some bad decisions come back to haunt Seattle - most notably a conceded goal off a doomed pass in a 1-1 draw to a middling Sporting KC squad in early May.
Outside of that, there's a reason Pochettino called Roldan the "perfect player" after his two-assist game.
Roldan used to play out wide, but has found a niche as a double-pivot in Schmetzer's 4-2-3-1 system. He's one of the best in getting the ball into the attacking third with a deadly through ball when he's allowed to unleash it.
The hidden upside of Roldan is his ability on set-pieces. He's scored a few goals off headers on corners for Seattle this season in a three-goal campaign this season, and his background as a volleyball player at just 5-foot-9 has made Seattle's staff actively draw plays up to get him free on in-swinging corners to the far post.
Don't expect Roldan to be a scorer in this World Cup, but he will be an asset if Pochettino finds himself needing a stoppage winner on a last-ditch corner.
A Win for Seattle
Though Seattle won't get the benefit of seeing multiple players represent it in this edition of the World Cup as Nouhou's Cameroon won't be in the tournament, getting Roldan on this squad has been an agenda almost every Sounders fan has been dying to push for over a year now.
Pochettino clearly likes what Roldan offers in steady midfield play, and it would be shocking if he made a careless pass on a stage this big. He's a playable piece for this defense, and has shown that playing against world-class competition isn't scary for him.
The USMNT staff will inevitably get flak if Roldan sees the pitch at all, frankly, but he's paid his dues by showing up for camps even in the midst of Seattle's busiest season of all-time in 2025.
All that is to say, Roldan has spent the better part of a year making his case. He's been rewarded with a nod to be on the sideline in a month, but whether he contributes to this team in a meaningful way is still up in the air.
