Seattle University’s own Alex Roldan is one of 60 players invited to the Major League Soccer (MLS) combine. The combine is a multi-day annual showcase  occurring  every  January where future MLS players are scouted and evaluated by all 23 MLS teams.

In his Redhawk career, Roldan started all 78 matches. He is one of two WAC players to be invited to this year’s combine.

JL: The Redhawks had a strong finish this season, winning the WAC Championship title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. As a senior and captain on the team, how do you feel about the team’s achievements?

AR: Obviously, it was a solid year so there was a lot of young players that stepped up and I was glad to see them develop. I’m a senior so I have been through the success that we’ve had in the soccer program, so seeing them step up to the plate and be able to accomplish what we’ve done this season was good for them and good for me as my senior year went on.

JL: How has the most recent season and playing for Seattle University as a whole shaped your passion and will to play professionally? When did you realize that playing wasn’t just something you wanted to do in college, but something you wanted to continue to do at a higher level?

AR: This last season and last four years were a fun ride. I was able to become  a  better  player  each  year.  I learned a lot playing with each class over the  four years. The coaching staff did a great job; they helped me develop into the person and player I am today as did my teammates. They put me in positions to succeed and the credit goes all to them. I believe after my junior season I realized that I was starting to pick up the skill level to play at the next level, or that I had the potential at least, and that really carried on going into my senior year. Now, I am in the combine. Overall, it was a great experience this year and over the last four years. I was fortunate for all the memories I was able to make there [at Seattle U] in what is considered to be my second home.

Alex Roldan goes up for a header in game one of the NCAA tournament.

JL: You were named 29th in the country for the MLS draft board. What  was  your  reaction  to  that achievement?

AR: I don’t really look at those things too much – it’s all someone’s opinion  –  but  I’m  still  fortunate enough  to  be  amongst  all  these players here in the combine. They’re all potential prospects in the MLS, so just to be mentioned in that is an honor and I’m glad to be a part of it.

JL: What is it like to represent Seattle University at the professional level? What has the transition been like with combine play as opposed to your past playing experience?

AR: I’m glad to be representing Seattle U here. You look at all the other players that are here and they are from some pretty well-known schools, like Wake  Forest, and teams like that in the ACCs. So helping Seattle U, a small private school, just get a little bit of recognition is something I’m glad to do and something I am glad to be a part of. As far as representing myself now, I have that motivation from my family, just to represent my name and where I’m from. My community is Pico Rivera [California]. The support that they give me throughout the years –it’s more in their hands now. I represent them and myself and my family.

JL: You mentioned that family is a big part of your life. Your brother, Cristian Roldan, has a  successful career as a midfielder for the Seattle Sounders. Has that influenced your attitude or motivated you towards playing professionally?

AR: Yes, It’s a big motivation. All my life I have grown up in the shadows of my brother, which is not something I am mad about or anything like that, but it just fueled me and it fueled my energy to always strive to be as good as him or strive to be better. It’s always been something there to help me reach higher goals. I’m fortunate enough to have a brother in the league already to give me insight.

JL: What are your hopes for the combine?

AR: I just hope to have a fun experience. I’m not stressing too much about playing my best performances or worried about mistakes. I’m just here to have a fun experience and what  follows  is  something  that  will come in its own nature.

After the second day of the combine, Roldan was mentioned in an article on goal.com, highlighting his strong performance and listing him under “stock rising”.

Jacqueline may be reached at
jlewis@su–spectator.com