Roldan, USMNT look to “show what we’re capable of” vs. Belgium, Portugal

The United States men’s national team’s upcoming matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Portugal and Belgium are friendlies by definition.

They’re something much more than that to Cristian Roldan.

“These friendlies are not friendlies, right? We’re playing against big-time European teams, countries that have a long history in the sport,” the USMNT and Seattle Sounders midfielder said on Tuesday. “That’s our chance to show what we’re capable of, who we can compete against.”

“Big-time” certainly is a good way to describe Portugal and Belgium, sixth and ninth in the FIFA standings, respectively. But it’s not just a measuring stick against teams that are primed for deep runs in the summer. It’s the final opportunity for USMNT players to show they belong on Mauricio Pochettino’s final 26-man roster.

The USMNT head coach has gone to great lengths to stress that those on the March training roster aren’t necessarily guaranteed to be there in the summer. Nor is the door closed for players who aren’t in Atlanta this week. Roldan knows the feeling: he wasn’t on Gregg Berhalter’s pre-World Cup roster in Sept. 2022 but made the final cut in the end.

“It’s obviously everybody’s dream to go to a World Cup, so it creates a competitive (group of) players that are eager to get out there and show what they’re capable of,” Roldan said of the March roster. “I expect competition in this camp. I expect competition in every camp, but this one especially, leading up to the World Cup, with the things that Coach said (that) no one’s spot is guaranteed.

“And so, proving yourself each and every day is extremely important.”

When the USMNT takes the field on March 28 against Portugal, it will be 76 days until its opening World Cup match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12. That match, and the tournament itself, will be a watershed moment in American soccer history.

For those ultimately able to make the case to be included on the final roster, it’s a matter of taking advantage of the opportunity to play on the sport’s biggest stage.

“With pressure comes responsibility,” Roldan said. “I think the responsibility that we possess at the moment is to create our own moments, create our history for the next generation, for the kiddos that are watching to be inspired to be the next Christian Pulisic (or) Weston McKennie.

“And so I think with pressure, there’s a huge responsibility on our part to show up and create those long-lasting memories for the next generation.”