There are parts of the FIFA international break Cristian Roldan would like to forget.
For instance, the moment in the 47th minute of the U.S. national team’s friendly with Chile on Tuesday when a referee tripped Roldan as the American darted to play a ball.
“He lined me up pretty good,” Roldan said after rejoining Sounders practice at Starfire Sports in Tukwila on Thursday. “I’m usually stronger, but he caught me by surprise. I felt like I was about to win that ball, too. I was pressing really hard. … Refs are (usually) out of the play, occasionally he’s in the way once you’re trying to pass the ball, but not tackling a player.