Paul Rothrock stepped in for the injured Jordan Morris and contributed a goal and an assist in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on a rainy Sunday night, marking the start of the MLS season.
Albert Rusnak also found the net, while Jesus Ferreira recorded two assists. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made four saves to secure the clean sheet.
Rothrock doubled the lead in the 62nd minute during a counterattack. Ferreira raced down the right wing and delivered a low cross to Rothrock, whose left-footed shot from the top left corner of the six-yard box sailed past Colorado goalie Zack Steffen into the far side of the net.
The Sounders led 1-0 after a chaotic first half, which lasted 61 minutes due to injuries, two video reviews, 17 fouls (12 by Colorado), and four yellow cards given to the Rapids.
Seattle took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to Rothrock’s efforts after he replaced the injured Morris (thigh) in the eighth minute. Morris, the franchise’s all-time top scorer, has struggled with shoulder and hamstring issues over the past year.
Ferreira sent a pass to Rothrock, who sprinted to the left wing corner and crossed to Rusnak, who scored with a glancing header inside the far post.
Seattle seemed to have scored again in the 22nd minute with a free kick from 35 yards on the left. Rusnak’s cross was cleared to Alex Roldan, whose volley from 20 yards forced a diving save from Steffen. Hassani Dotson followed up and scored, but a video review ruled that Osaze De Rosario had fouled Darren Yapi on the original free kick, so the goal was disallowed.
In the 30th minute, Rapids defender Noah Cobb received a red card for a high challenge on Rothrock, but this was later changed to a yellow card after a video review.
Dotson appeared to suffer a concussion during first-half stoppage time due to a collision and was replaced by Snyder Brunell.
Steffen ended the match with three saves. The Sounders outshot the Rapids 14-7 and had an advantage in shots on target (5-4) and possession (58%).