The Seattle Sounders saw three of their top players landed on their National teams roster for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Forward Jordan Morris and defender Nohou were locks as anticipation of the National team roster announcement were forthcoming. The pleasant surprise for Sounder Nation came in when USMNT Gregg Berhalter included midfielder Cristian Roldan. Roldan had been a regular on the USMNT qualifiers but that came to an abrupt end when he suffered a groin injury and had surgery on August 23rd.
Roldan missed five games for the club but made a successful return on September 23rd. The injury put some doubt on wether he would represent the Stars and Stripes in Qatar. On Wednesday those doubts were put to rest.
MORRIS JOINS BESTIE
Joining Roldan in Qatar to represent the Stars and Stripes will be bestie and winger Jordan Morris. It is proud moment for two players, families and no doubt the club. The two became instant friends when they joined the club as young players and have helped each other grow into two of the biggest names in USA soccer.
“As an organization, we are incredibly happy for Jordan and Cristian. If any two guys earned it, it’s these two,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “No players work harder or more honestly for their team, and I am so glad to see that effort rewarded with this opportunity. We are lucky to have them, as is Coach Berhalter.”
Morris, 28, has 49 appearances and 11 goals for the USMNT, including six during 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. The Mercer Island native received his first senior call-up while still at Stanford University in August of 2014 and made his debut in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland on November 18, 2014. After recording his first international goal in a friendly against archrival Mexico in 2015, Morris notably scored three goals in six appearances during the USMNT’s title-winning run in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, including the match-winner in the final against Jamaica.
SLAM DUNK SELECTION FOR NOUHOU
There was no drama or doubt on Sounders defender Nouhou landing on the Cameroon Qatar roster. The speedy and agile left back has been a constant contributor to head coach Rigoberto’s squad during the qualifying round.
Nouhou, 25, has 17 career caps for Cameroon dating back to 2018, including six appearances (five starts) during FIFA World Cup Qualifying. He also started all of six appearances during Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations fourth-place tournament run in early 2022. Nouhou has made 168 appearances for the Rave Green in all competitions since joining the squad in 2017, earning a 2021 MLS All-Star selection and 2022 Concacaf Champions League Best XI honors.
“Congratulations to Nouhou for an incredible honor,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “We’ve seen for years what he can do on the field, and I think everyone in the Sounders community is excited to see what he can do on the global stage.”
