2024 Cristian Roldan Seattle Sounders Home Jersey worn against FC Dallas on April 12, 2024

I have loved watching Cristian Roldan play for a LONG LONG time. He is an invaluable player that plays the game the right way with such a high soccer IQ. Most of what he does doesn’t show up in the box score. And if you’re not looking for it, you wont see it. He is the MLS version of Thomas Muller. His spacing and runs pull defenders, which opens up his teammates for their passes and shots.

He gives max effort and tracks back for defense. He can play mulitple positions at a USMNT caliber level. Again, not stuff you will see in highlights or the box score. But he has something that is rare to find these days, heart and passion. That’s why anyone who bemoans Roldan on the national team or claims that he is overrated is an actual moron. Someone who judges players based on their YouTube compilations videos.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to have him toss me his jersey post game on 4/5/2024. It’s an especially cool jersey that celebrates the Sounds 50th anniversary and is the first year of the teams new minimalist logo.

Cristian in pursuit of Logan Farrington in the very same jersey he gave me after the game. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire)

I have always enjoyed Albert Rusnak. He is quite underrated in my opinion in his passing and effect on the game. I was a tad confused at first when Seattle released these kits inspired by Bruce Lee. However, I also knew absolutely nothing about the legendary actors ties to the city and was shocked to learn that he was deeply rooted to Seattle. So It was with great pleasure that I picked up this kit from Fanatics.

My son and I were beyond excited to be able to add Jackson Ragen to the collection. Jackson is a tall center back who is incredibly gifted with his feet. His passing out of the back is huge and can turn a game on it’s head in a second. Being able to completely bypass the midfield at times is huge for any team. In 2023, Jackson was in the 99% in assists for center backs and 96% in pass completion. He was also 97% in xAG. xAG means that your pass was the one that set up the possible assist. So he was among the top in the league in his passes setting up the assist for chances on goal. Showing that his high pass completion rating is not an empty stat of just centerbacks passing it back and forth to each other.

Jackson gave us his shirt after the playoff game on 11/4/2023. This was the second leg of the first round of the playoffs, and was a must win for Dallas. Dallas won the game 3-1 and went on to lose the winner take all game in the third leg. Jacson later received a MUCH deserved call up to the USMNT January camp. Showing that he’s finally getting credit for his elite game play.

Image from (Matt Visinsky, 3rd Degree)