You could argue that Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan made his debut in El Salvador 12 years ago.
The California-born Roldan was a ball boy in Santa Ana for C.D. FAS, his cousins’ former team and the most decorated club in the Salvadoran Primera División. Back visiting family in his mother’s native country, he would juggle the ball at halftime and the fans would cheer and applaud and encourage him.
Now with the Sounders heading to El Salvador to battle Santa Tecla on Feb. 22 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League series, Cristian and brother Alex are expecting a warm return to a country with so many family ties.