Top 5 US players in MLS

Cristian Roldan

Columbus Crew SC v Seattle Sounders FC

Another of the USA’s big hopes for the future is midfielder Cristian Roldan, who turns out for the Seattle Sounders.

The 22-year-old left college prematurely to sign a professional deal with the MLS, eventually moving to Seattle in the 2015 draft and he has remained in Washington State ever since.

It rapidly became evident that he would be too good to spend time in the club’s reserve side – he spent only one match on their roster and scored one goal – and by March of 2015 he had been handed a starting berth for the first team.

He is a player who is clearly developing. His numbers have improved season-on-season since he debuted, with the California-born youngster netting an impressive six times from 33 games last term having got four in the same number of matches a year earlier.

Indeed, during 2016, he helped Seattle to MLS Cup glory.

Roldan, who was also eligible to play international football for both Guatemala and El Salvador, has been involved in the US national team for little under a year, having debuted in the Gold Cup against Martinique. He has since played a couple more times for the Stars and Stripes, but more recognition is sure to follow as his reputation and talents grow.