How P. Rothrock Turned #14 Into the Sounders’ Secret Weapon — Comedy, Chaos, and Goals
When you spot Paul Rothrock in the number 14 shirt for Seattle Sounders FC, you see a player who’s taken the long road—no shortcuts, just steady progress. Rothrock, 26, started in the Sounders academy, played college soccer at Notre Dame and Georgetown, and now chips in as a dependable option in Major League Soccer. Honestly, his journey is proof that patience and a bit of grit can still get you somewhere in the pro game.
His story isn’t your typical straight shot to the top. Rothrock helped Georgetown win its first NCAA Championship, then moved through Toronto FC II and Tacoma Defiance before landing with the Sounders. That kind of background gives him a different perspective from a lot of his teammates.
Watch him now and you’ll see more than just a forward filling minutes. He’s scored important goals, set up chances, and fought through stuff like hand surgery. As you dig through his profile and career, you start to get why Rothrock matters to Seattle—both right now and looking ahead.
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Profile of P. Rothrock
He’s a guy who blends local roots with real development, someone who earned his spot by sticking with it and producing when it counted. His background, his spot on the field, even his jersey number—they all help explain why he’s become a piece Seattle can trust.
Personal Background
Paul Rothrock was born January 9, 1999, in Seattle, Washington. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he came through the Sounders Academy before jumping into college soccer.
He played at Notre Dame and Georgetown, helping the Hoyas win their first NCAA Championship in 2019. You see a player shaped by both local ties and national-level competition.
At Georgetown, he finished with four goals and seven assists, hinting early at a well-rounded attacking game. College gave him a taste of top opposition and set him up for the pros.
After college, Toronto FC picked Rothrock in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. He spent two seasons with Toronto FC II, scoring pretty regularly in MLS NEXT Pro.
By 2023, he signed with Seattle Sounders FC—coming back home, basically. That move tied his pro career back to where it all started.
Key Details
- Date of Birth: January 9, 1999
- Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Colleges: Notre Dame, Georgetown
- MLS Debut: 2023 with Seattle Sounders FC
Playing Style and Position
You’ll see Rothrock listed as both a forward and midfielder, but he’s most natural in attack. He’s often out on the left wing, cutting inside and making things happen.
He presses high, tracks back, and fits Seattle’s system. Rothrock’s not flashy, but his timing and movement stand out.
He finds good spots in the box and finishes calmly. He can also connect play and pick up assists.
In 2024, Rothrock played in 36 matches and started 22. He scored eight goals in all competitions and chipped in four assists.
That kind of production shows he’s moved from just a depth piece to a regular contributor.
2024 Season Stats (Seattle Sounders)
| Matches | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 22 | 8 | 4 |
Jersey Number and Significance
Rothrock wears 14 for Seattle Sounders FC. For a lot of forwards, that number has a history of creative, versatile attackers.
He’s not a pure striker or a classic playmaker. Rothrock fits somewhere in between, so 14 feels right for a guy who does a bit of everything in attack.
Getting 14 isn’t something you see given to just any academy kid or a short-term contract. For Rothrock, it shows he’s earned a real spot in the squad and the trust to make a difference.
Seattle Sounders FC Career
Paul Rothrock didn’t take the easy route to Seattle, but once he signed, he wasted no time showing he belonged. You can see how quickly he adapted to MLS, stepped up in key games, and earned respect from teammates and coaches.
Joining the First Team
Rothrock grew up in Seattle and played for the Sounders Academy before heading to college at Notre Dame and Georgetown, where he helped win the school’s first NCAA title.
After two seasons with Toronto FC II, he came back home in 2023, starting with Tacoma Defiance.
Seattle brought him up to the first team in May 2023. General manager Craig Waibel and coach Brian Schmetzer liked his versatility, using him as a winger and midfielder.
His signing showed the club’s commitment to local players who get the Sounders’ culture.
The timing mattered. Seattle needed depth with a packed schedule, including league play and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Rothrock gave them another steady option, especially out wide where injuries had become a problem.
Notable Performances and Goals
Rothrock made an immediate splash with goals in both MLS and the U.S. Open Cup. He scored against Houston Dynamo in the Cup, showing calm under pressure.
That goal pushed Seattle forward and earned him some real credibility. He also delivered in league games, scoring in matches that mattered for playoff spots.
People noticed his knack for slipping into space—something not every young guy manages in their first MLS season.
Key Contributions (2023)
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS Regular Season | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| U.S. Open Cup | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| MLS NEXT Pro (Defiance) | 10 | 5 | 5 |
The numbers say plenty—he found ways to score and create, even with limited minutes.
Role in the 2023 Season
During 2023, Rothrock became more than just a bench option. Schmetzer trusted him in games that mattered for playoff seeding.
He started matches late in the year, which really signaled his growing importance. He wasn’t just about scoring—he pressed hard, tracked back, and helped link up play.
That balance let Seattle rest some veterans without losing their edge. For a team chasing the postseason, that’s huge.
By season’s end, Rothrock had a rep as a reliable squad guy—someone who could come off the bench or start and make a difference. His path from academy to first team just proves that sticking with it can pay off in MLS.
Pathway Through Youth and College Soccer
Paul Rothrock built his game step by step—starting in Seattle’s youth system, then moving through two big college programs.
Each stage brought tougher opponents and new challenges, helping him refine his role as an attacking midfielder and forward.
Sounders FC Academy Development
Rothrock’s real connection to the game started in Seattle, playing for the Sounders FC Academy. He joined during his senior year of high school, going up against some of the region’s best.
That single season shaped his technical and tactical side, giving him a higher level of competition than local club soccer.
Coaches like Wade Webber and former Sounders pushed him to get better. Training every day in a pro environment built up his discipline and confidence.
He also got to test himself against MLS academies from around the country. The Academy didn’t just sharpen his skills—it prepped him for the jump to college soccer, where everything gets faster and tougher.
Rothrock left Seattle with a better soccer IQ and a clear idea of what it would take to make it.
Collegiate Career at Notre Dame
At Notre Dame, Rothrock landed in one of the toughest Division I soccer programs.
He adapted quickly, playing as a wide midfielder and showing he could do a bit of everything in attack.
The ACC is a grind—maybe the hardest conference in NCAA soccer—and it forced him to step up. He played two seasons in South Bend, logging steady minutes.
His stats weren’t wild, but the foundation he built at Notre Dame gave him the confidence to handle pressure. That set up his transfer, which turned out to be a big move.
Notre Dame Stats (2017–2018)
| Season | Matches Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 15 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 19 | 2 | 3 |
Success with Georgetown Hoyas
Moving to Georgetown put Rothrock in a program on the rise. He took on a bigger role and became a key part of the team that won the 2019 NCAA Championship.
He combined well in the final third and showed up in big moments during the title run. At Georgetown, he learned consistency, producing goals and assists against top competition.
He figured out how to handle knockout tournaments, where one bad day ends your season. That experience turned out to be huge for his pro career.
The championship gave him national attention and made his transfer decision look smart. By the time he left Georgetown, Rothrock had proven he could impact games at the highest level in college.
Georgetown Stats (2019–2020)
| Season | Matches Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 24 | 7 | 6 |
| 2020 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
Professional Journey Before Seattle
Rothrock’s career hasn’t been about shortcuts. He’s put in the work in lower divisions, grabbed short-term first-team chances, and kept developing until he was ready for Major League Soccer.
Toronto FC II Experience
Your first look at Rothrock as a pro came in USL League One with Toronto FC II. After wrapping up college at Notre Dame and Georgetown, he signed with Toronto’s reserve side in 2021.
He played a big role in attack, showing he could both score and set up teammates. In two seasons, he put up 9 goals and 6 assists in league play.
His production helped Toronto FC II stay competitive in a developmental league focused on player growth over results.
Here’s a quick look at his numbers for TFC II:
| Season | Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | USL League One | 20 | 4 | 3 |
| 2022 | MLS NEXT Pro | 18 | 5 | 3 |
Those numbers aren’t just stats—they show how quickly he adapted to the pro pace while keeping the technical sharpness he brought from college.
Loan to Toronto FC
While Rothrock played with TFC II, Toronto FC called him up on short-term loans to the first team in MLS. These stints let him train and play with some seasoned veterans.
You probably remember his MLS debut back in 2021. He didn’t get tons of minutes, but the experience gave him a real taste of the league’s speed and physicality.
Even a few minutes on the field boosted his confidence. He started pushing harder for a bigger role.
This stage really bridged the gap between developmental soccer and top-flight competition. Coming out of Georgetown, facing MLS opponents showed him exactly what he needed to work on next.
Time with Tacoma Defiance
In 2022, Rothrock signed with Tacoma Defiance, Seattle Sounders FC’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate. The move brought him back to his hometown region and gave him a fresh platform to prove himself.
He scored 11 goals and notched 7 assists over two seasons with Tacoma. His play helped the club reach the postseason and showed he could step up in big moments.
| Season | Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MLS NEXT Pro | 22 | 7 | 4 |
| 2023 | MLS NEXT Pro | 20 | 4 | 3 |
Fans started to notice when he delivered late drama, like that 87th-minute winner for the Sounders while on a short-term deal.
Those clutch moments and steady production with Tacoma pushed his case for a full contract with Seattle Sounders FC.
Drafts, Transfers, and Contracts
Paul Rothrock’s road to Major League Soccer really shows how persistence and performance at every level can change your career. His draft selection, early pro stops, and eventual move to Seattle all highlight how opportunity and timing matter in American soccer.
2021 MLS SuperDraft Selection
Rothrock entered the professional world when Toronto FC picked him 64th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Coming out of Georgetown—where he helped the Hoyas win the 2019 NCAA Championship—he was known for his work rate and versatility more than flashy stats.
Toronto sent him to Toronto FC II, their developmental squad. In his first season, he played 12 games in USL League One and scored 4 goals.
That output gave him a foothold in the system and showed he could adapt to the pro game.
The SuperDraft can be unpredictable, right? Rothrock wasn’t a top pick, but he stayed relevant by producing consistently.
His time at Notre Dame and Georgetown really prepared him for the grind of the lower leagues, where you have to earn every minute.
2021 Season Snapshot
| Team | League | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto FC II | USL League One | 12 | 4 | 0 |
Transfers and Loan Moves
After Toronto, Rothrock worked his way through a few steps that eventually brought him back to Seattle. In 2022, he stuck with Toronto FC II in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring 8 goals in 19 matches and helping the club reach the Eastern Conference Final.
The next year turned out to be huge. He joined Tacoma Defiance, Seattle’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, where he logged 18 appearances and racked up 7 goals with 5 assists.
That production earned him a first-team contract with the Seattle Sounders FC in August 2023.
He made an immediate impact, scoring in U.S. Open Cup play and even hitting a game-winner in Houston.
By 2024, he’d locked in his place, appearing in 36 matches for Seattle and tallying 8 goals plus 4 assists across all competitions.
His contract with Seattle included options through 2025, giving the club some flexibility while rewarding Rothrock’s steady climb.
For more on his contract and career, you can check out his Seattle Sounders profile and his MLS player page.
Recognition and Influence
Paul Rothrock’s rise with Seattle Sounders FC says a lot about the trust the club’s leadership has in him and the bond he’s built with the local soccer community.
His journey from Georgetown University to the first team really shows how steady improvement and persistence can get you noticed at the top level.
Coaches and Management Perspectives
It’s clear the Sounders staff trust Rothrock. Head coach Brian Schmetzer often praises his ability to adapt, whether he’s playing as a winger or up top.
That kind of flexibility makes him a go-to option in a squad that always seems to need versatility.
General manager Craig Waibel points to Rothrock’s development as a perfect example of the Sounders’ player pathway.
From the academy, through Tacoma Defiance, and now producing in MLS, Rothrock really embodies the kind of progression the club wants to see.
The stats back up why they value him. In 2024, he put up 8 goals and 4 assists across competitions—a strong return for a guy who was once just a depth piece.
| Season | Club | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Seattle Sounders | 3 | 1 | 612 |
| 2024 | Seattle Sounders | 8 | 4 | 1,755 |
For fans, Rothrock isn’t just a fringe player anymore. He’s become a trusted part of Schmetzer’s system, earning his spot through consistency instead of hype.
Impact on Local Soccer Community
Rothrock’s influence goes way beyond the pitch. He grew up in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, so he’s become a real example for local players who want to chase a similar dream.
His journey through the Sounders Academy, and then his return from Toronto FC II to Tacoma Defiance, shows what persistence can do. If you stick with it, sometimes you really can make it back home.
Young players in Washington can relate to Rothrock’s story. He wasn’t a top draft pick, but he still fought his way into a starting spot.
That kind of story hits home for a lot of families and coaches. It makes the idea of professional soccer feel possible for their own kids.
Community programs have seen a boost from having him around. Rothrock joins youth clinics and outreach events, so kids actually get to meet someone who’s been in their shoes.
Watch him play at Lumen Field and you’ll see more than just a forward in the No. 14 kit. He’s a player who really represents Seattle’s soccer identity, connecting the academy, college soccer at Georgetown, and the Sounders’ pro team.
