Wednesday night’s Leg 2, Round of 16 fixture in the Concacaf Champions Cup looked as if it was headed for a draw as Danny Musovski managed to find an equalizer in the 79th minute to make it 1-1 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
But, with Paul Rothrock on the pitch, another goal scoring opportunity for the Rave Green was bound to happen.
“He's on a roll,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
After tallying goals in the Sounders’ last two matches — one of which was a game-winner vs. the San Jose Earthquakes — Rothrock did it again with less than seven minutes left of the match.
Similar to his goal in the 3-0, Leg 1 win at BC Place, the winger came crashing in as a cross was distributed from the opposite side of the box. Once Peter Kingston’s driven ball glided past Musovski’s head for the potential finish, Rothrock was there to collect it near the back post, smashing the ball into the back of the net.
“Whether he starts, whether he comes on…I mean, Paul is really playing at a high level,” said Schmetzer.
The midfielder has always been a workhorse on the pitch, supporting the Rave Green with 20 goals and 11 assists over the last few seasons with the club. So much so, the Washington native earned a contract extension through the 2028-29 season, as announced on Dec. 29, 2025.
Rothrock’s extension was clearly the right move for the organization as he’s continued to elevate his game even further since the start of the 2026 season. In just five appearences, Rothrock has recorded four goals, in addition to an assist.
“Honestly, I'm just really enjoying it right now,” said Rothrock. “I think a lot of guys on the team would say the same. The group's really close. The vibes are really high. Everyone's enjoying each other's company.”
He’s shown up when it matters most. From his Leagues Cup Final banger in 2025 to helping pave the way for a strong Sounders run in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, his consistency in big moments has made him a valuable asset to the squad.
Rothrock, however, is quick to credit the team for that success.
“People are putting the egos aside to play different roles,” said Rothrock. “And you know, me and Paul [Arriola], for example, are switching off game to game and have a very good relationship with each other. I’m in for him, and he's out. And he pushes me, I push him, but I think that's happening everywhere. The right number of people are stepping up in some big ways.”
