What's Next For The Sounders and Star Paul Rothrock?

He shoots, and he scores! Winger Paul Rothrock of the Sounders does it again! But where did his talent come from? Was it because of practice? Hard work and determination? Or perhaps, from time in soccer at Lakeside? That’s right. His journey soccer journey took him through Lakeside’s fields, where he honed the skills and resilience that would later define his soccer career.

Rothrock’s journey took him through various stages in professional soccer. He started out at Notre Dame, where he didn’t get much game time. Wanting more opportunities, he transferred to Georgetown, where things really picked up. He got more minutes on the field, helped his team win their first NCAA title, and made a name for himself by scoring 4 goals and 7 assists.

In 2021, he was picked in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC, but he mainly played for their second team, Toronto FC II, only getting a few chances with the main squad.

By 2022, it was pretty clear that Toronto didn’t have a long-term spot for him. So Paul took matters into his own hands and reached out to Tacoma Defiance, Seattle Sounders’ developmental team, hoping to find a place where he could keep improving and be closer at home.

Coming back to Seattle turned out to be a great decision. He shined with Tacoma Defiance, scoring goals and assisting on others, and eventually, he got called up to the Sounders’ main roster. One of his big moments was scoring against the Houston Dynamo, which showed he had what it took to compete at a high level. 

Sounders forward Jordan Morris told Sounderatheart, “Whether Paul’s starting or coming off the bench, he brings energy.” It’s no doubt that fourth place for the Sounders couldn’t have been achieved without him. Now, he’s finally being recognized for his hard work and is considered a key player for the Sounders.

Paul’s story is one of determination: he kept pushing forward even when things weren’t easy. From not getting much playtime to being overlooked, he never gave up. Now he’s back home in Seattle, making an impact and showing younger players what’s possible with hard work. “I’ve come under-looked on pretty much every single team I’ve ever been on,” Rothrock told Sounderatheart, describing how he’s been perceived throughout his career. But now, he’s been noticed. So, what’s next for the Sounders and their star, the one and only Paul Rothrock?