For some players, scoring a goal, recording an assist and drawing a penalty would be one of their performances of the season. But when it comes to Seattle Sounders’ Cristian Roldan, c’est la vie for one of the most consistent players in Major League Soccer.
It was business as usual for Roldan in the Sounders’ 3-1 win over Minnesota United on Sunday in their first match at Lumen Field since lifting the Concacaf Champions League trophy. After heading into the locker room down a goal, Seattle pounced on the Loons due in large part to the relentless fervor with which Roldan attacks each and every match.
“Cristian has been doing that for a long, long time,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “We are grateful, we as coaches never overlook all the small details that he brings to the team and the game.”
Roldan has already drawn three penalties in all competitions this season, including a crucial one in the dying moments of the away leg of the CCL Final. His motor is unwavering, and he constantly puts defenders into precarious positions.
“Cristian is very valuable in his tactical acumen and his physical contributions,” said Schmetzer. “The guy’s a winner.”
Roldan capped his performance with a Goal of the Week nominee on a howitzer of a strike into the top corner from 20 yards out. The goal gave the Sounders a lead they didn’t relinquish as they wrapped up a huge three points at home in their return to MLS play in earnest after CCL.
“We had all the confidence that we could get back into the game once we scored one goal, and once we got that one goal, we felt good about our chances in the game,” said Roldan.
“We understand that we haven’t done well in MLS and it was a slow start, but we don’t have excuses,” he continued. “When you play at home in front of a good crowd, we should, as a team with the quality that we have, win. That’s the standard that we have.”
There are still two-thirds of the season remaining, but the Sounders have work to do to climb the Western Conference standings. Sunday was a great boost for Seattle moving forward, and Schmetzer hopes it will be just the kickstart the club needs.
“What I want for this team to understand is that just because we won Champions League does mean that that’s a successful season,” said Schmetzer. “We want to make sure we get more.”
