Rothrock’s Reset: From Bench to Brilliance

In the weeks before the season began, Paul Rothrock had a rough preseason. He tried out for other teams but chose to stay with Seattle, only getting a few chances in reserve matches and a left‑back spot in a split‑squad game. That was far from the hero moments he had delivered last year.

Before the first league match, Rothrock decided a mental break was needed. He slipped on Beats headphones and walked onto Lumen Field alone, holding a ball as the stadium was almost empty. He used the quiet to remind himself why he loved playing there.

While warming up, he listened to a track that had just become viral. Donna Summer’s 1978 song “MacArthur Park Suite” was topping downloads after being used in a gold‑medal skating routine at the Winter Olympics. The skater, Alysa Liu, had retired early due to burnout, returned after a break, and performed an almost perfect free skate that inspired Rothrock. He wanted to channel that freedom on the pitch.

During the opener against Colorado, Rothrock came off the bench and quickly made an impact. He assisted the first goal with a clever cross that kept the ball in bounds and then, a few minutes later, scored himself. Even though he didn’t start the game, his two contributions helped secure a 2‑0 win.

First Assist
The cross by Jesús Ferreira had looked destined to leave the field, but Rothrock caught it and delivered a precise pass that led to a header by Albert Rusnák. He later reflected on how moments like those can decide a match.

Second Goal
After the team had been shaken by a disallowed score and a disputed red card, the match’s energy dipped. Rothrock made a strong run on the left side and fired a left‑footed shot that struck the back of the net. The crowd roared, and tension eased.

Rothrock admitted his performance wasn’t flawless, but it showed he could let go of frustration and live in the moment. He sees this ability as part of his identity and as something that fits with Seattle’s club culture.

The game turned him from a peripheral player into a memorable figure, proving that a reset can lead to great results.