SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders kicked off the 2026 MLS season with a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in what was technically a game of soccer. Paul Rothrock was involved in both goals, providing the assist on Albert Rusnák’s opener in the 15th minute and then scoring the second in the 62nd.
The “game” – if you can really call it that – started relatively strongly but quickly took on an ominous tone when Jordan Morris was forced to exit the game with a thigh injury in the 8th minute that was bad enough to 1) force him out of the game and, 2) bring pain and emotion to his face that was clear from the stands. Rothrock came on to take Morris’ spot on the left wing, and very quickly did what he could to lift the spirits.
Rothrock chased down what may have seemed like a lost cause ball from Jesús Ferreira, getting a touch to keep it from going out on the sideline then gathering himself enough to pick the ball back up before a defender arrived and sent in a great cross with Rusnák and Osaze De Rosario both waiting in the box. It was Rusnák who got on the end of the cross, and his glancing header perfectly sent the ball beyond the reach of Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen and into the back of the net.
Not 10 minutes later it looked like Hassani Dotson had doubled the lead for the Sounders – in what was shaping up to be a fantastic home debut – before a protracted review determined that there had been a foul during the play before the goal. Referee Malik Badawi would only become more involved in the game, as following the overturned goal he showed Colorado centerback Noah Cobb a red card for what looked like an elbow to the head of Paul Rothrock, but another review was called for and the card was downgraded to just a yellow. All of the stoppages and the lengthy reviews resulted in an announced 12 minutes of stoppage time which grew longer and longer, allowing for a collision of heads between Dotson and Paxton Aaronson that resulted in Dotson coming off with a concussion as Snyder Brunell took his place. In total the first half lasted 61 minutes, potentially tying a record for the longest half in an MLS game.
Coming out of halftime, the Sounders were once again all over the Rapids, creating several chances in the first few minutes of the second half. Seattle ultimately broke through once more just after the hour mark with Rothrock putting the finishing touch on a great play. De Rosario first played a perfectly weighted through ball for Ferreira as he ran into open space on the right wing. Ferreira then looked to play in Rothrock on the opposite side, and although his pass was deflected it still found its intended target and Rothrock made sure to smash his shot over Steffen and into the back of the net.
From that point on, both sides had a few looks at goal, but only Andrew Thomas was forced to work for a save on a pair of chances in quick succession from Colorado in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
The Sounders now take to the road to face Real Salt Lake next weekend, and won’t return to Lumen Field until April.
Lineups
Osaze De Rosario starts up top, Andrew Thomas gets the start in goal, and Hassani Dotson lines up alongside Cristian Roldan as the Sounders start the season about as we expected.
Our Starting XI for tonight’s Home Opener! 🔥
READ ➡️ sndrs.com/fpx94mbn | #SEAvCOL
— Sounders FC (@soundersfc.com) 2026-02-23T01:31:54.963Z
Key moments
1 – Shot! Rusnák gets on the end of a ball smashed through the defense by Alex Roldan, but he can’t get off a clean shot and the ball goes out for a corner.
8 – Sub. Jordan Morris has to come off with a thigh injury, and is replaced by Paul Rothrock on the left wing.
15 – GOAL! Rothrock saves a Ferreira pass before it goes out, recovers and sends in a great cross that Rusnák heads into the corner to open the scoring! 1-0, Sounders
The hustle. The cross. The finish.
What a start to the 2026 campaign! 😱
— Sounders FC (@soundersfc.com) 2026-02-23T02:49:56.019Z
22 – Review! Dotson appeared to have opened his account with a Sounders goal of the night, but referee Malik Badawi went to the monitor and determined there was a foul during the play.
30 – Yellow Card! Noah Cobb is shown a red card for an apparent elbow to the head of Paul Rothrock. The play is reviewed and the card is downgraded to a yellow.
45+3 – Chance! De Rosario fights to win the ball in midfield, drives through a few defender and gets a shot off that goes just wide of the post.
45+9 – Save! Thomas faces his second shot of the night after a good run by Sealy, but is able to easily stop the shot and slow the game down.
45+13 – Sub. Hassani Dotson gets a knock to the face from Paxten Aaronson and has to leave the game. Snyder Brunell enters the game to replace him.
HT – Sub. Reggie Cannon comes off, replaced by Keagan Rosenberry for Colorado.
46 – Header! Rothrock works down the left wing and sends in a cross that finds Ferreira near the top of the box, but his header is easily caught by Steffen.
49 – Chance! Ferreira receives a great ball from Rusnák, then has a nice move to get into space and find Rusnák with a clever pass of his own, but the shot is wide of the goal.
52 – Header! Rothrock wins a corner and Ferreira puts in the service. Ragen rises up and meets the ball, but his header is saved.
59 – Sub. Colorado take off Hamzat Ojediran and bring on Wayne Frederick.
62 – Save! Nouhou turns the ball over deep in Seattle’s end and the Rapids quickly turn it into a shot, but Thomas is able to easily stop it.
62 – GOAL! De Rosario plays a fantastic through ball for Ferreira who then plays Rothrock in on the backside and Rothrock smashes his shot in over Steffen! 2-0, Sounders
“It’s that man again, Paul Rothrock!” 💪
— Sounders FC (@soundersfc.com) 2026-02-23T04:04:14.725Z
68 – Subs. Colorado bring on Alex Harris and Alexis Montoya and Dante Sealy and Paxten Aaronson come off.
69 – Subs. Seattle bring on Georgi Minoungou and Danny Musovski, replacing Osaze De Rosario and Jesús Ferreira.
74 – Sub. Theodore Ku-DiPietro comes on for Colorado as Darren Yapi leaves the game.
88 – Subs. Seattle send Paul Arriola into the game as Albert Rusnák comes off, while Colorado take off Jackson Travis and bring on Miguel Navarro.
90+2 – Save! Yeimar gets nutmegged, allowing Alex Harris to get a shot off that Thomas blocks. Another shot comes off of the rebound, but Thomas collects.
Quick thoughts
Shining through the struggles: Sometimes, following Jordan Morris’ career it has felt like the guy’s living through a modern retelling of the Book of Job. He does everything right, but time and again after overcoming some trial or affliction, he is immediately struck with a new hardship. This time, after a 2025 season marred by injuries he only lasted 8 minutes into the first game of the season before another injury forced him out. But as he came off, Paul Rothrock came on and immediately set the game alight. It doesn’t make it any easier emotionally to see players sidelined by injuries, but the way the Sounders have built their team means that losing a player like Morris or Hassani Dotson opens up opportunities for someone else to step in. In this game it was Rothrock, but it was also Snyder Brunell, and Osaze De Rosario and Georgi Minoungou, and so on and so on. We’ll all hope for swift recoveries, but for the moment the team’s still got plenty of more than capable players.
The new era begins: Andrew Thomas started in goal as Seattle opened the new season, and if Brian Schmetzer’s remarks after the game about Stefan Frei playing in other competitions are anything to go on then Thomas won’t be giving up that spot in the league any time soon. It wasn’t a perfect performance – he had one pass in the back that resulted in a dangerous turnover and easily could have been a goal for the Rapids – but when he was called upon to keep the ball out of the net he was perfectly up to the task. He’ll continue to grow into the role, but for now the new era’s off to a good start.
Paulie Primetime: The circumstances for his introduction in this game were obviously not what anyone would have hoped for, but in his first competitive game since signing his new contract Rothrock showed why he was worth the investment. Rothrock combines a dogged work ethic with an underrated technical ability, both of which were perfectly on display for Seattle’s opening goal. He’s not going to be outworked by the player opposite him in any game, and when that creates space and opportunities for him he’s able to make the most of them to send in a fantastic cross like he did for the opener, or apply the power and placement necessary to score the second goal. However long Morris is out with this injury, Rothrock will certainly be doing everything he can to make that left wing spot his own until someone can take it from him.
Notable quote
Brian Schmetzer on Paul Rothrock’s performance: “That goal was a great finish, because he’s running away from it and he smacks it high. That was a clean finish. His hustle to keep the ball alive … that kid is always ready. That could have been a statement to make, like, “you know what coach, I should be there.””
Player spotlight
Jesús Ferreira – Ferreira only gets credit for a secondary assist on the opening goal, but he was a key part of both goals, went 2 for 2 on dribbles, won 5/8 ground duels and both tackles he attempted. His two-way play was as good as anyone’s, and his role in the team’s attack was a major part of why the Sounders out-shot the Rapids 15-7.
