Pico Rivera's Cristian Roldan may be last made-in-high-school U.S. World Cup star

Cristian Roldan, a USMNT midfielder from Pico Rivera, represents a rare path to the World Cup by playing in a local high school. After becoming a star at the University of Washington and a legend with the Seattle Sounders, Roldan's journey comes full circle. He is set to return to Seattle for a 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Australia, highlighting his unique trajectory from high school athletics to the global stage.