Seattle Sounders v FC Dallas: Roldan hopes Pochettino is watching ahead of World Cup

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ShareMauricio Pochettino may be taking note of Cristian Roldan's performances ahead of the World Cup with the United States.Cristian Roldan hopes his form with the Seattle Sounders can catch Mauricio Pochettino's attention for the World Cup, and he will aim to keep delivering when his side host FC Dallas in Sunday's MLS clash.The Sounders are fifth in the Western Conference after hammering St. Louis City 4-1 in their last outing, making it five games unbeaten in a run that stretches back to the start of March.Roldan scored the game's opener against St. Louis and followed that up with another strike 15 minutes later in a classic first-half display from the 30-year-old midfielder.He has three goals and as many assists in all competitions this season, and Roldan's form may force his way into the United States squad for the upcoming World Cup across June and July."Obviously, it's always in the back of my mind. It's a dream for everybody as a kid to be able to go to a World Cup, and for me, really, I don't see myself as a lock by any means," Roldan shared. "I have to keep performing here with the Sounders to give myself the best chance."And look, I don't get on the scoresheet very often, but when I do, I've got to appreciate it. I can't take it for granted, but I just hope that I'm being seen for all the little things that I do for the group."The Sounders midfielder could even play on his home pitch at Lumen Field when the USA host Group D opponents Australia in Seattle on June 19, if selected by Pochettino.Roldan's two goals came in almost identical fashion against St. Louis as he connected with a pair of Albert Rusnak corners at the back post twice."I was surprised that the ball was coming my way," Roldan said of his brace. "We had a couple of plays where that setup is the same for different plays."When you decide to run it twice, I don't think teams really think about other teams running it twice, so that's probably why I was so free."Visitors Dallas are eighth in the West standings after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Minnesota United last time out.They have not won in three MLS games since thrashing D.C. United 4-0 at the start of April, and a trip to the Sounders will see Dallas' defence tested heavily once again here.PLAYERS TO WATCHSeattle Sounders – Cristian RoldanRoldan may have caught the eye with his first-half brace against St. Louis, but his all-round performance was equally impressive.The Seattle number seven had the most touches of any player on either team (98), made the most passes (79) and also ranked second for possession won (eight behind Nouhou Tolo's nine).FC Dallas – Petar MusaNo MLS player can better Petar Musa's nine goals in 2026.The Dallas striker did only manage two shots – neither of those on target – in the defeat to Minnesota, but he scored twice in the game before against LA Galaxy.MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WINSeattle are expected to win this one, given their recent record against their next opponents.The Sounders are unbeaten in 22 straight home matches against Dallas (W18 D4) in all competitions, outscoring them 47-13 in those games.Dallas' only ever win at Seattle was a 1-0 victory in May 2011, thanks to Brek Shea’s goal.Seattle are also unbeaten in their last 11 regular-season home games (W7 D4), marking a second home unbeaten run of 11 or more games over the last three seasons (11 from September 2024-May 2025).They are the only MLS team with multiple home unbeaten streaks of more than 10 games in league play in that time.And while Dallas beat D.C. in their last road trip, they have not won consecutive away matches in all competitions in nearly eight years, since winning three in a row away from home between May and June 2018.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYSeattle Sounders – 66.4%Draw – 18.3%FC Dallas – 15.3%Mauricio Pochettino may be taking note of Cristian Roldan's performances ahead of the World Cup with the United States.Cristian Roldan hopes his form with the Seattle Sounders can catch Mauricio Pochettino's attention for the World Cup, and he will aim to keep delivering when his side host FC Dallas in Sunday's MLS clash.The Sounders are fifth in the Western Conference after hammering St. Louis City 4-1 in their last outing, making it five games unbeaten in a run that stretches back to the start of March.Roldan scored the game's opener against St. Louis and followed that up with another strike 15 minutes later in a classic first-half display from the 30-year-old midfielder.He has three goals and as many assists in all competitions this season, and Roldan's form may force his way into the United States squad for the upcoming World Cup across June and July."Obviously, it's always in the back of my mind. It's a dream for everybody as a kid to be able to go to a World Cup, and for me, really, I don't see myself as a lock by any means," Roldan shared. "I have to keep performing here with the Sounders to give myself the best chance."And look, I don't get on the scoresheet very often, but when I do, I've got to appreciate it. I can't take it for granted, but I just hope that I'm being seen for all the little things that I do for the group."The Sounders midfielder could even play on his home pitch at Lumen Field when the USA host Group D opponents Australia in Seattle on June 19, if selected by Pochettino.Roldan's two goals came in almost identical fashion against St. Louis as he connected with a pair of Albert Rusnak corners at the back post twice."I was surprised that the ball was coming my way," Roldan said of his brace. "We had a couple of plays where that setup is the same for different plays."When you decide to run it twice, I don't think teams really think about other teams running it twice, so that's probably why I was so free."Visitors Dallas are eighth in the West standings after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Minnesota United last time out.They have not won in three MLS games since thrashing D.C. United 4-0 at the start of April, and a trip to the Sounders will see Dallas' defence tested heavily once again here.PLAYERS TO WATCHSeattle Sounders – Cristian RoldanRoldan may have caught the eye with his first-half brace against St. Louis, but his all-round performance was equally impressive.The Seattle number seven had the most touches of any player on either team (98), made the most passes (79) and also ranked second for possession won (eight behind Nouhou Tolo's nine).FC Dallas – Petar MusaNo MLS player can better Petar Musa's nine goals in 2026.The Dallas striker did only manage two shots – neither of those on target – in the defeat to Minnesota, but he scored twice in the game before against LA Galaxy.MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WINSeattle are expected to win this one, given their recent record against their next opponents.The Sounders are unbeaten in 22 straight home matches against Dallas (W18 D4) in all competitions, outscoring them 47-13 in those games.Dallas' only ever win at Seattle was a 1-0 victory in May 2011, thanks to Brek Shea’s goal.Seattle are also unbeaten in their last 11 regular-season home games (W7 D4), marking a second home unbeaten run of 11 or more games over the last three seasons (11 from September 2024-May 2025).They are the only MLS team with multiple home unbeaten streaks of more than 10 games in league play in that time.And while Dallas beat D.C. in their last road trip, they have not won consecutive away matches in all competitions in nearly eight years, since winning three in a row away from home between May and June 2018.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYSeattle Sounders – 66.4%Draw – 18.3%FC Dallas – 15.3%