21 Facts About Cristian Roldan

Cristian Roldan was born on June 3,1995 and is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC.

Cristian Roldan was picked by the Sounders in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and developed into a regular starting player for the club, with over 300 total appearances as of 2024.

Cristian Roldan was named the 2013 Gatorade National Player of the Year in soccer while attending El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California.

Cristian Roldan declined invitations from the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA to join their academy teams and led the El Rancho Dons to an undefeated season with 26 wins.

Cristian Roldan was scouted by the University of Washington at a tournament in San Diego and spent his college career with the Washington Huskies.

Cristian Roldan was named the 2013 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, beating future Sounders teammate Jordan Morris from the Stanford Cardinal.

Cristian Roldan joined the team in 2013 as part of preparations to join the Huskies.

Cristian Roldan played for the Portland Timbers U23s in the 2014 MLS Homegrown Game.

On January 8,2015, it was announced that Cristian Roldan had left college early to sign a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer.

Cristian Roldan was expected to be selected early in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, but was chosen late in the first round with the 16th overall pick by Seattle Sounders FC.

Cristian Roldan developed into a deep-lying midfielder and earned a regular place in the starting lineup under head coach Sigi Schmid following his performances as an "impact substitute".

Cristian Roldan was compared to captain and defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who Roldan regarded as a mentor and ultimately replaced.

Cristian Roldan played all eight matches in Seattle's run to the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League title, providing one goal and five assists, and was named to the Team of the Tournament.

Cristian Roldan underwent groin surgery in August 2022 to treat a sports hernia, his first major injury during his professional career.

Cristian Roldan returned to the team for their final three matches of the regular season as the Sounders failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Cristian Roldan signed a five-year contract extension with the Sounders in January 2023 alongside Morris.

Cristian Roldan was eligible to represent either Guatemala or El Salvador through his parents, and mentioned in an interview that he had been offered senior callups from both nations.

Cristian Roldan had played limited minutes during the preceding World Cup qualifying campaign, but was chosen by Gregg Berhalter for his leadership in training and ability to play in several roles.

Cristian Roldan was featured in an Adidas commercial as a nine-year-old, selected for his soccer ball juggling skills from 110 kids who tried out for the commercial.

Cristian Roldan is of Salvadoran and Guatemalan descent, and has an older brother named Cesar Jr.

Cristian Roldan married physician assistant Ciana Baron on December 31,2022.