RENTON — In what’s believed to be a first for the Sounders, a FIFA men’s international window will pass without a single player being called up.
The Sounders have experienced as many as 11 in the past. The club has even previously requested MLS not schedule matches for the Sounders during windows because multiple first-choice players were also at the top of the list for their respective national teams — four making World Cup rosters in 2022.
That’s not a concern as the Sounders (0-1-2) prepare to play San Jose (0-4-0) on Saturday. Defender Alex Roldan was the strongest possibility, but he said Tuesday he removed himself from El Salvador’s pool of players to consider.
“It’s a tough decision to make,” Roldan said after training at Sounders FC Center at Longacres. “Moving forward for me, it was best that I allow someone else to have the opportunity because I wasn’t fully committed, and I’m also disappointed with the way things are operated over there.”
Roldan’s last call-up was in September 2023 for a pair of CONCACAF Nations League matches that served as qualifying for the 2024 Copa America. La Selecta was outscored 5-2 combined in the losses.
Former U.S. international Hugo Perez was fired as El Salvador’s coach after a 3-2 loss to Trinidad & Tobago. Perez returned to his native country to help turn the national team around. He has compiled a 9-22-12 record since April 2021.
Roldan is a first-generation U.S. citizen who received an El Salvador passport because of his mother’s heritage. He often captained La Selecta under Perez’s leadership and earned 25 career caps.
One highlight was Roldan’s debut with El Salvador. He scored a goal in a 2-0 win against Guatemala during a 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup match. Roldan also played against his brother, Cristian, who was a consistent call-up for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris have fallen out of favor for USMNT call-ups this year.
“It was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had,” Alex Roldan said of his overall experience with El Salvador. “Competing against some really talented players is what every kid dreams about. I’m not taking it for granted.”
Alex Roldan, 27, declined to offer specifics regarding his frustrations with his national team. He was part of the roster that threatened to boycott a World Cup qualifying match in February 2022 because of unpaid bonuses and other issues with the Salvadoran Soccer Federation. An hour before kickoff, the players opted to play to “keep this illusion of a country alive,” according to a statement.
There were also reportedly issues with the handling of Perez’s tenure. He was replaced by Ruben de la Barrera in September, but the Spaniard left the post in December to take a position in Europe. The federation named David Doniga as coach in January.
El Salvador will play two friendlies during this international window.
“He’s waiting to see how things shake out,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said of discussions with Roldan about playing for El Salvador. “We thought we were going to miss five, six or seven players [during this international window]. It’s actually good for us.”
Frei training again
The Sounders aren’t missing players because of call-ups, but a few remain out with injury and midfielder Josh Atencio will serve a one-game suspension for being sent off in the draw against Colorado last week.
Stefan Frei returned from a hamstring injury and trained in full Tuesday. The keeper was replaced in goal by Andrew Thomas, who collected one clean sheet in the three matches that were completed. His start for the Philadelphia Union match was postponed in the sixth minute because of a waterlogged field.
Thomas has 11 saves in 276 minutes (78.6% save percentage) this season. But, if available, Frei is expected to get the start against San Jose.
“It’s Stef’s job to handover,” Schmetzer said. “But certainly, Andrew has shown his abilities and he’s a rising star.”
Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnak (ankle) didn’t suffer any setbacks after his season debut last week, but Joao Paulo (hip) did in his rehab process. Schmetzer declined to offer any details beyond Joao Paulo’s return being pushed back.
Nathan participated in training Tuesday after missing the past three matches due to the final process for the Brazilian to receive his U.S. green card. Teammates Reed Baker-Whiting (hamstring), Pedro de la Vega (hamstring) and Braudilio Rodrigues (hamstring) remain out.
About that red
Atencio being added to the list of unavailable players “scrambles things up,” Schmetzer said. The fifth-year midfielder was shown his second yellow card in the 68th minute with the Sounders clinging to a 1-0 lead.
Colorado found the equalizer in the 88th minute.
“Josh wants to win so bad,” Schmetzer said. “He doesn’t know that after the first yellow card, nine minutes later he can’t rush into a tackle. That’s just inexperience and he’ll learn from it. Certainly, he felt horrible because we were in control of the game in that moment.”