Cristian Roldan out with concussion

PORTLAND — Cristian Roldan was a late scratch from Saturday’s game after it was discovered that he suffered a concussion last week following a collision in the St. Louis City SC match. Roldan had been evaluated with neck pain and the team’s medical staff has been monitoring him throughout the week for additional concussion symptoms. But after being formally evaluated following training on Friday, he was placed in concussion protocol for the Portland Timbers match.

“This was Cristian’s first concussion,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said after the game. “I don’t know if he was aware of what he was feeling.

“As he alerted the medical staff of his symptoms, we put him in protocols. That’s for his safety and health. It was an easy choice to make. It’s a reminder that when players feel something, they have to report it.”

In addition to missing Saturday’s match, Roldan has been declared out for Wednesday’s United States men’s national team friendly against Mexico.

Roldan was one of seven players who had started all seven of the Sounders’ games this season and was fifth on the team in minutes played.

Roldan’s absence opened the door for Raúl Ruidíaz to make his second start of the season. Jordan Morris also slid over from forward to fill Roldan’s spot.