It’s Cristian Roldan’s big chance.
Roldan, the Seattle Sounders’ third-year midfielder, is one of 23 players called in by U.S. men’s national team coach Bruce Arena for next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. It’s his first selection to the senior team, and the 22-year-old hopes to use the Gold Cup as showcase for his skills.
Past regional championships gave then-fringe players like Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley and Stuart Holden their chance. With many of the national team mainstays given a break for this tournament, this is the time to impress.
“I don’t think I have to make that point to them, I think they’re well aware of that,” Arena said Monday after the team’s first practice at Lipscomb University.