Cristian Roldan’s return from his second concussion of the season may have to wait a bit longer. Although he’s been able to resume full training, various concussion symptoms have periodically returned and he saw another specialist in Detroit while the Sounders were on their road trip. The tests included several tests, including some that involved monitoring his sleep.
“We’re throwing everything we can to get Cristian back,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer told Sounder at Heart. “He’ll have good days where he’s really there, but it’s becoming a concern.”
Schmetzer did not actually rule out Roldan from Saturday’s game against the Portland Timbers, but it would seem very unlikely that he’d participate. Schmetzer reiterated that the Sounders are mainly concerned with getting Roldan fully past his concussion symptoms than they are in getting him back on the field.
Roldan has already missed the Sounders’ last four games after suffering a concussion in Leagues Cup play against Real Salt Lake and being pulled at halftime on July 22. He had previously missed about two months after suffering a concussion against St. Louis City on April 8 and has now missed 19 matches in total between his concussions and international duty. There are understandable concerns that Roldan may have to sit out the rest of the season.
"I would say we're going to take this appropriately," Schmetzer said after Friday's training session. "I believe he'll come back, but only when he's absolutely cleared medically and ready to go."
