Cristian Roldan would have received USMNT call if not for playoffs

Cristian Roldan will not be joining the United States men’s national team for its game against Portugal on Nov. 14. Apparently, it’s not from a lack of interest.

The Seattle Sounders midfielder told the media on Tuesday that a U.S. Soccer official told him he’d have been called in if he weren’t still competing in the playoffs. Of the eight players who compete in MLS to make the roster, none play for teams still involved in the postseason. It also includes 12 who are 24 or younger and five who don’t have any USMNT caps.

“You have to turn this negative into a positive,” Roldan said when asked about his feelings on the roster. “That’s bringing in new guys, young guys that are going to grow as human beings, especially at the international level. It’s a whole new style of soccer, a whole new pace of soccer. You have to really get accustomed to it.”