FRISCO, Texas – If you are going to score in your international debut for El Salvador, especially in a Concacaf Gold Cup match versus Guatemala, you better expect your phone to be full of messages postgame.
Such was the case for MF Alex Roldan, who came off the bench in the second half to fire in a late goal, paving the way for El Salvador’s 2-0 win versus Guatemala on Sunday night in their 2021 Gold Cup Group A opener.
“Everyone has been sending me messages, so I feel like I have great support behind me,” said Roldan in an exclusive postgame interview with Concacaf.com.
“I think every kid who grows up playing this sport and envisions himself in the top level wishes they have this moment. It happened for me and luckily I was able to be in a position to help the team, so I’m just happy I was able to contribute,” added Roldan.
The United States-born Roldan is fortunate enough to play his club football with his brother Cristian in Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders. However, at the international level, Cristian represents the U.S., while Alex is just now beginning his journey with El Salvador.
It made for a unique situation in which the two brothers were with two different national teams in two different Gold Cup games on the same night.
“My parents were actually watching my brother play in Kansas City, but they’ll be here for the next few games so I’ll be glad to have them here supporting me,” said Roldan.
Another player with a U.S. background in the mix for El Salvador is FW Joaquin Rivas, who also came off the bench in the second half to make his Gold Cup debut and scored El Salvador’s second of the night in the final seconds.
The fact that it came in front of his family, who had flown in from Las Vegas for the match, made it all the more memorable.
“In 2019 I missed the Gold Cup due to an injury and that was a very hard for me, so coming into this one and scoring is a very special moment for me,” said Rivas in an exclusive postgame interview with Concacaf.com.
“Being able to do it in front of my family is indescribable. It’s a dream come true. I think it’s the first time that I’ve been able to score in front of them, so it gives special meaning to all of us,” concluded Rivas.
If Sunday night was any indication, the Gold Cup futures of Roldan and Rivas stand to be very bright.
