Given a massive opportunity to strengthen his World Cup spot, Cristian Roldan delivered arguably his best-ever performance for the United States men’s national team. Roldan started as one of the double-pivots in Maurcio Pochettino’s 3-4-3 and registered two assists to help lead the USMNT to a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday.
The performance drew rave reviews from Pochettino.
“He’s what we need,” the USMNT head coach said. “We need players with confidence, with some belief, with a little bit of competitiveness.
“Cristian is an example of how if you want to build your perfect player, he has a little bit of everything. Off and on the field, that’s what we find.”
Jeremiah Oshan
The match did not start out quite so well for Roldan, though, after he struggled to clear a ball into the box that allowed Australia to jump out to a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.
But Roldan didn’t let that get him down and just 15 minutes later he slipped in Haji Wright with pass that cut out several defenders. Wright did the rest with a first-time finish.
RIGHT FOOT. WRIGHT FINISH! #USMNT x VW
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@usmnt.ussoccer.com) 2025-10-15T02:02:08.275Z
Early in the second half, Roldan showed off the trademark combination of smarts and skill that have made him so good with the Seattle Sounders. After a foul in the USMNT’s end, Roldan noticed Wright making another run. He immediately played a ball into the channel where Wright controlled, made a move to open some space and then hit a perfect curling shot.
Haji is Wright twice tonight. We've got the lead! #USMNT x VW
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@usmnt.ussoccer.com) 2025-10-15T02:32:35.138Z
Roldan was eventually pulled in the 76th minute with a stat line that looked like this: 4/4 on duels, five recoveries, two interceptions and 47/52 passing.
“I’m riding the wave. I’ve had such a great second half of the year. It’s been great to enjoy the moment. I’m continuing in that way and not being satisfied. I know I can reach another level.” - Cristian Roldan on his club form and getting a renewed opportunity with the USMNT
— Burgundy Wave (@burgundywave.bsky.social) 2025-10-15T04:09:51.740Z
There’s obviously a lot of time between now and next summer’s World Cup. But considering it was just about a month ago when Roldan had not been called into the USMNT in two years, he’s now remarkably close to making that dream a reality.
“I’m not saying he’s going to be in the next roster or World Cup,” Pochettino said. “But with what we’ve seen so far, he’s a player we wanted to give an opportunity, and look what’s going on.”
