In the buildup to Sunday’s Leagues Cup Final, Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer quipped with local media when asked about how he was planning on stopping Inter Miami’s plethora of world-class talent led by Lionel Messi.
“Messi is arguably the best player the world has ever seen,” he said, “but we have Paul Rothrock.”
Schmetzer’s witticism resonated enough to where the Sounders offered a promotion on Sunday that allowed fans to swap out their Inter Miami Messi kits for a Rothrock jersey free of charge. Rothrock, a Capitol Hill native and Academy product, is in his second full season with the Sounders First Team and has become a cult hero of local boy done good.
“That was hilarious,” Rothrock said. “My family couldn’t believe that was happening.”
What began as a rather cheeky remark, however, ultimately served more as a premonition of what was to come. The Sounders won the Leagues Cup Final 3-0, holding Messi & Co. in check while Rothrock delivered the coup de grâce with a goal in the 89th minute.
Alex Roldan played a ball toward the top of the 18-yard box that wrong-footed a couple Miami defenders, and Rothrock was the first to pounce on the loose ball. He took one touch toward goal before firing a shot across his body to the far post that beat goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and sent the Lumen Field faithful into a raucous frenzy.
“I didn’t know what to do [after I scored] honestly,” said Rothrock. “It was a kind of typical goal that I score. It’s a scrappy ball that comes to me in the right moment.”
The 26-year-old may have been a feel-good story when his First Team journey began in 2023, but he’s matured and evolved into not just a capable depth piece, but a bona fide contributor. He’s solidified himself as an out and out starter, recording three goals and six assists in 26 MLS matches this year.
“I like pressure,” said Rothrock. “It’s why we play, for big moments like this. I was really grateful that Schmetzer put that pressure on me, and he looks like a smart guy now.”
Lumen Field has played hosts to many memorable Sounders triumphs. Seattle has hosted five finals —2010 U.S. Open Cup, 2011 U.S. Open Cup, 2019 MLS Cup, 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2025 Leagues Cup — and has won all of them. Sunday night was the first one Rothrock got to experience in person, and it’s one he’ll never forget.
“I think it’s going to take a couple days to process how special this moment was for me and this team and for Seattle,” he said.
