US World Cup co-hosts can improve at soccer's dark arts, says midfielder Cristian Roldan. The team is under pressure to top a group containing Australia, Turkey, and Paraguay in their opener on Friday.
Roldan echoed coach Mauricio Pochettino's words, urging the team to 'learn to play right on the edge of the rules.' He believes being more savvy and understanding the importance of managing games, taking fouls, and staying on the ground longer can help the team.
The US recently faced Paraguay in a friendly, which ended in a stoppage time brawl. Roldan sees Paraguay's confrontational style as something the US can learn from, but also needs to be smart and not take it overboard.
Roldan, one of the more experienced members of the US roster, sees his role as an enforcer who can bring added intensity to the team.
