Cristian Roldan could return ahead of schedule

Max Aquino / Sounder at HeartCristian Roldan could return from groin surgery a little ahead of schedule.

“There’s a little bit of hope on the horizon,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer told KJR on Tuesday. “He’s probably going to see some time against FC Cincinnati.”

If Roldan were to play against FC Cincinnati on Sept. 27 — as close to a literal must-win game the Sounders have played this regular-season — that would be a game earlier than had originally been planned. Roldan has missed the Sounders’ last six games — in which they’ve gone 2-3-1 — since being diagnosed with an athletic pubalgia injury. Schmetzer previously suggested Roldan had been dealing with discomfort for some time…