"Days after halting Lionel Messi and keeping Inter Miami scoreless in a stunning 3-0 victory in the Leagues Cup final in early September, Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan received a surprising phone call while on vacation. "I answered in front of my wife, someone that has encouraged me and has given me a whole lot of confidence," Roldan told ESPN. "I had to get on a flight about five hours later." Roldan was returning to the U.S. men's national team for the first time in two years."
"Nine months out from the World Cup at the time, he had yet to play for U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, and it wasn't as if he was an up-and-coming prospect or playing for a major European powerhouse. "I always had a slight belief that I could make a [national team] return, but the belief was dwindling down, if I'm being honest," he said. Months later -- make that weeks later -- the MLS veteran went from the outside looking in to one of Pochettino's unforeseen favorites in a roster filled with Europe-based stars. After the United States' 2-1 win over Australia last month, in which Roldan provided two assists, Pochettino praised the midfielder as a "perfect player.""
Cristian Roldan earned a surprise national-team recall after his standout performance in the Leagues Cup final. The recall ended a two-year absence from the U.S. men’s national team and came nine months before the World Cup. Roldan provided two assists in a 2-1 victory over Australia and received high praise from coach Mauricio Pochettino. The 30-year-old MLS veteran made MLS Best XI for 2025 and has shifted from an outsider to a key contender among Europe-based stars. The upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay present chances to strengthen his case for next summer’s World Cup roster.
Read at ESPN.com
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