Seattle built Cristian Roldan. Now the World Cup brings him home

SEATTLE — Cristian Roldan’s cleats have left footprints all over Seattle for more than a decade.They are stamped into the grass at the University of Washington, where he arrived as a teenager from Southern California and immediately transformed the Huskies into a Pac-12 champion. They are etched into the history of the Seattle Sounders, where he grew from a promising draft pick into the team’s captain, two-time MLS Cup champion, Concacaf champion and one of the most beloved athletes the city has ever adopted as its own. And now, those footprints lead him back to the biggest stage Seattle has ever hosted. The 2026 FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Australia with a ticket to the knockout rounds on the table. Sure, the spotlight is heavily on forward Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and others, but one of the most compelling stories may belong to the player whose homecoming has been years in the making. “I feel at home,” Roldan said Thursday during Team USA’s training at the University of Washington.“I feel like this is where my journey began, here in Seattle.

I scored plenty of goals here at the University of Washington.I’m thankful to have this full-circle moment.

I don’t think people realize how special it is for me to be here, enjoying this experience with the men’s national team.”The emotion in his voice carried the weight of 13 years.Roldan arrived in Seattle in 2013 and immediately became one of the best players in college soccer, leading Washington to a Pac-12 title and earning Soccer America’s National Freshman of the Year honors.His success helped create a pathway for younger brother Alex, who followed him north a year later to Seattle University’s program.Then came the Seattle Sounders.Drafted 16th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, Roldan evolved into the heartbeat of the club’s golden era.

Nearly 400 appearances.Seventy-two assists.

Two MLS Cups.A Leagues Cup title.

The historic 2022 Concacaf Champi...