Paul Rothrock Bio
Paul Rothrock is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC. He was part of the Sounders academy system as a youth player and played college soccer for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgetown Hoyas. Rothrock was drafted by Toronto FC in 2021 and played for their reserve team Toronto FC II for two seasons before transferring to the Tacoma Defiance, the reserve squad of the Sounders, in 2023. A versatile attacker listed as both a midfielder and a forward, he wears the number 14 shirt for the Sounders and is recognized for his quick starts in front of goal.
Early Life and Background
Paul Rothrock was born on January 9, 1999, in Seattle, Washington, in the United States. He grew up in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, where his love for soccer began on neighborhood recreational fields. He has four sisters, including a twin, and comes from a close-knit family in the Pacific Northwest.
Rothrock attended Lakeside School in Seattle, where he developed into a standout player. He was a two-time all-state selection and finished his high school career with 43 assists. During his childhood, he met future Sounders teammate Jackson Ragen at age seven while playing for a local rec team, and the two have remained close throughout their soccer journeys.
Path to Soccer
Rothrock spent most of his youth career with Seattle United, a partner club of the Seattle Sounders Academy. With Seattle United, he led the team to two Washington State Cup titles, two Far West Regional titles, and two appearances in the U.S. Youth Soccer national finals. In his U18 season, he joined the Sounders Academy and helped the squad to a third-place finish in the USSDA National Playoffs.
On February 2, 2017, Rothrock signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at the University of Notre Dame. He did not play for the Fighting Irish during his freshman season and had limited appearances in his sophomore year. After the 2018 NCAA Division I men’s soccer season, he transferred to Georgetown University. He recorded his first assist for Georgetown on August 30, 2019, in a 3–1 victory against Syracuse, and scored his first goal on September 9, 2019, in a 5–1 win against UCLA. After his senior season in 2020–21 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to turn professional.
Paul Rothrock Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Rothrock made his debut for USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2 on July 8, 2017, scoring his first goal in a 4–1 defeat to Real Monarchs. During his 2019 collegiate season, he played with National Premier Soccer League side OSA Seattle FC, making three appearances. He balanced his college and amateur club commitments while continuing to develop his skills as a forward.
He was drafted in the third round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. On May 18, he signed with their second team, Toronto FC II of USL League One. He made his debut for TFCII on May 26 against FC Tucson, scored his first goal on October 1 against North Carolina FC, and added a brace on October 17 in a 2–1 victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
Toronto FC First Team Stint (2022)
On May 4, 2022, Rothrock signed a short-term four-day loan with Toronto FC ahead of their Major League Soccer match against FC Cincinnati. He signed additional four-day loans on May 7 and May 14. He made his MLS debut on May 8 as a late-game substitute. These brief stints gave him valuable first-team experience in MLS despite the short duration of his time with the senior side.
Tacoma Defiance and Seattle Sounders FC Era (2023–Present)
In January 2023, Rothrock signed with the Tacoma Defiance, the successor to Seattle Sounders FC 2, in MLS Next Pro. Through his first three games, he assisted four of the team’s six goals and scored his first goal on April 30 against LA Galaxy II. His form quickly caught the attention of the Sounders’ first team.
On April 26, 2023, he joined Seattle Sounders FC on a short-term loan for a U.S. Open Cup match, scoring on his club debut. In May 2023, he signed a second short-term loan and scored in another Open Cup match on May 10 against the LA Galaxy. He made his league debut for the Sounders on May 13 and scored his first MLS goal in a 1–0 victory over the Houston Dynamo. He became the first Sounders player to score in each of his first three appearances and the first player to score while on a short-term loan.
In August 2023, Rothrock signed a first-team contract with Seattle Sounders FC for the remainder of the 2023 season, with club options for 2024 and 2025. At the time of his signing, he had been leading Tacoma in goals and assists throughout the 2023 season. He has remained with the Sounders organization since, splitting time between the senior squad and Tacoma Defiance as needed.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rothrock is a versatile attacker capable of playing as a midfielder or a forward, using his 1.75 m frame to his advantage in tight spaces. He is recognized for his quick scoring instinct, having made an immediate impact at every level of his career. His ability to score on debut appearances and contribute both goals and assists reflects a player who thrives in transitional moments and clinical finishing opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rothrock’s most notable milestones came during his 2023 breakthrough with Seattle Sounders FC. Becoming the first Sounders player to score in each of his first three appearances, and the first to score while on a short-term loan, marked him as a unique talent in club history. His pair of U.S. Open Cup goals in his first two cup appearances further highlighted his knack for delivering in important moments.
Paul Rothrock Career Wins
Paul Rothrock has compiled a growing list of accomplishments at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels. While he has not yet secured a major senior team trophy, his scoring records and consistent contributions at multiple clubs reflect a steady upward trajectory in North American soccer.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Rothrock made his MLS debut on May 8, 2022, with Toronto FC as a late-game substitute. He later signed a first-team contract with Seattle Sounders FC in August 2023 after a string of impressive performances on short-term loans. His first MLS goal came on May 13, 2023, in a 1–0 victory over the Houston Dynamo, a match that showcased his finishing ability at the top level of American soccer.
Other Wins and Performances
At the youth level, Rothrock led Seattle United to two Washington State Cup titles and two Far West Regional titles, with two appearances in the U.S. Youth Soccer national finals. With the Sounders Academy, he contributed to a third-place finish in the USSDA National Playoffs. In 2017, he was called up to a United States U18 national team camp and made one appearance for the squad.
Paul Rothrock Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Paul Rothrock comes from a supportive family in Seattle, where his parents encouraged his early involvement in soccer. He has four sisters, including a twin, making for a busy household that helped shape his early years. His family remained closely tied to the Seattle area throughout his development as a player.
Personal Life
Rothrock lives on a houseboat on Seattle’s Portage Bay, embracing the lifestyle of his hometown. His long-time friendship with Sounders teammate Jackson Ragen, which began when both were seven years old, remains a notable part of his personal story. He continues to reside in Seattle, Washington, the same city where he was born and raised.
2025 Season Performance
Paul Rothrock enters the 2025 Major League Soccer season as a member of the Seattle Sounders FC first team, following his 2023 contract that included club options through 2025. After establishing himself as a reliable contributor during his 2023 breakthrough, he has continued to develop within the Sounders organization. His role as a versatile midfielder-forward gives the club tactical flexibility across the attacking line.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Rothrock has been a depth option capable of stepping into the starting XI when needed. His previous scoring form for both Tacoma Defiance and the Sounders first team suggests he remains a threat in front of goal. The Sounders’ use of Tacoma Defiance as a development pipeline continues to give Rothrock opportunities to maintain match fitness.
Looking ahead, Rothrock’s combination of first-team experience and a track record of scoring on debut appearances positions him as a player to watch in the MLS attack. With his contract running through the 2025 season, his performances this year will likely shape his long-term future with the Sounders organization.
