Unlike the NFL, NBA and even Major League Baseball, the path to soccer stardom doesn’t often follow a path that begins playing for your local high school.

Elite club teams and academies identify talent and provide an opportunity to chase professional dreams.

However, a few players on the United States Men’s National Team announced Tuesday show that playing in the World Cup can begin with prep stardom.

Pictured here during his days at El Rancho, Cristian Roldan has gone on to make more than 400 appearances with 46 goals as a member of the Seattle Sounders. He also has 45 caps with the USMNT. (PHOTO: Ted Aguirre)

Midfielder Cristian Roldan is perhaps the best example of a player whose journey started on the high school pitch and continues on the international stage.

Roldan played at El Rancho (Pico Rivera, Calif.) despite invitations to join academy teams. He led the Dons to a 29-2-1 record with sectional and regional titles as a senior in 2013. 

Now with the Seattle Sounders, Roldan scored 54 goals with 30 assists as a senior and was a two-time CIF Player of the Year (2011 and 2013) and the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Another USMNT player with deep prep roots is Max Arfsten, who played at San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.). The Columbus Crew winger was a scoring machine in high school, netting 70 goals for the Panthers in his final two seasons.

Arfsten earned County Metro League MVP honors in both his junior and senior seasons.

Tim Ream is a third player named to the World Cup squad with prep credentials after leading St. Dominic (O’Fallon, Mo.) to the Class 2 state title as a sophomore. 

Read on for a look at the complete roster picked to compete in the World Cup beginning next month along with the high school they attended.

United States World Cup roster

Goalkeepers (3)

Chris Brady, Naperville North (Naperville, Ill.)
Matt Freese, Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square, Pa.)
Matt Turner, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)

Defenders (10)
Max Arfsten, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.)
Sergiño Dest
Alex Freeman
Mark McKenzie
Tim Ream, St. Dominic (O’Fallon, Mo.)
Chris Richards
Antonee Robinson
Miles Robinson, Arlington (Arlington, Mass.) *
Joe Scally, Sachem North (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) *
Auston Trusty, Penncrest (Media, Pa.)

Midfielders (4)
Tyler Adams
Sebastian Berhalter
Weston McKennie
Cristian Roldan, El Rancho (Pico Rivera, Calif.)

Attacking midfielders/wingers (6)
Brenden Aaronson, Shawnee (Medford, N.J.)
Christian Pulisic
Gio Reyna
Malik Tillman
Tim Weah

Alejandro Zendejas

* Played basketball

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