Roldan Earns Start With U-20 U.S. National Team
LINZ, Austria – Former Washington midfielder Cristian Roldan traveled to Europe last week to take part in a pair of friendlies for the U-20 U.S. National Team. The games were in preparation for the U-20 World Cup that begins May 30 in New Zealand.
Roldan was not part of the U.S. roster for the qualifying, but due to his strong play in Major League Soccer so far this season, was called in by U-20 head coach Tab Ramos.
The former Husky playmaker played in both games, coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with Qatar and then earning the start in a 1-0 win over Croatia.
Roldan hopes to be chosen for the U-20 World Cup that just over a month away, but in the meantime returned to the Sounders. His MLS season has included time in five games with the first team, including two starts. He also played one game with S2 of the USL, scoring in a 4-2 over the Sacramento Republic.
Other Huskies in MLS this season include Ty Harden with the San Jose Earthquakes and George John with New York City FC. Harden has made an impact in the two games he has seen action with a game-winning goal and an assist.
Roldan's former teammate, Darwin Jones has starred for S2 so far this season, scoring four goals and leading the team with eight points. Jones netted a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Vancouver and was named the USL Player of the Week.
Down the road in Portland, former Husky All-Americans Taylor Peay and Andy Thoma have been anchors for Timbers 2, each starting and playing every minute of the season so far. Both players also have an assist to their credit. Thoma also recently participated in twitter takeover for the Timbers that can be seen HERE.
Washington has several alums performing throughout the USL, including Taylor Mueller with the Charleston Battery, Raphael Cox with the Charlotte Independence, Spencher Richey with Vancouver Whitecaps 2 and Michael Harris with the Oklahoma City Energy.
Mueller has started all five games with Charleston, scoring a game-winner against Toronto. Richey has earned two starts with W2, including a shutout and 11 saves. Cox has played in four games so far for Charlotte, while Harris has three appearances for OKC.
