Ahead of a make-or-break playoff game, one of Seattle's breakout stars reflected upon the motivating power of previous playoff defeats.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Cristian Roldan has had a rough couple of postseasons.
His Washington Huskies were up two with 15 minutes left in their 2014 Sweet 16 match against Michigan State, only to give up a pair of late goals en route to a penalty shootout defeat.
Roldan came off the bench in the second leg of last year’s Western Conference semifinal against FC Dallas, playing out of position as an outside back. FCD’s talented wingers targeted Roldan mercilessly, and he lost his man on the stoppage-time corner kick that led to Dallas’ series-tying goal.