Sounders re-sign Seattle native Paul Rothrock

The Seattle Sounders re-signed midfielder and Seattle native Paul Rothrock to a new contract that will keep in the Pacific Northwest through 2028-29 season on Monday. The deal has a club option for the 2029-30 campaign.

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Rothrock, 26, originally signed with the Sounders in 2023. He has 16 goals and 12 assists in 92 appearances across all levels of competition with the club. In 62 matches in MLS play, he has 10 goals and nine assists.

“Paul has been a reliable part of the group since he joined the club two seasons ago,” Sounders general manager and chief soccer officer Craig Waibel said in a release from the team. “He’s stepped up in important moments. We value his professionalism and we’re excited to sign him to a new deal that he’s earned through consistent contribution and a strong presence within the group.”

Rothrock played in 47 of the Sounders’ 50 matches across all levels of competition in 2025, tying for third on the team with nine assists while adding five goals. He appeared in a career-high 33 MLS matches, racking up four goals and a career-best seven assists.

Rothrock provided one of Seattle’s three goals in its victory over Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final.

“Paul embodies the kind of Pacific Northwest grit that has always defined what it means to be a Sounder,” head coach Brian Schmetzer said. “He does the hard work, he competes and he never shies away from the tough moments. Keeping someone like Paul in Seattle means a lot to all of us and I’m excited to continue working with him. He’s earned his place here and we’re glad he’s staying part of this team.”

Rothrock is from Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and attended nearby Lakeside High School, where he was three-year standout for the Lions. He joined the Sounders Academy for his U18 season before going on to play two years at Notre Dame and two years at Georgetown in college. He won an NCAA title with Georgetown in 2019.

“Seattle is home. There were other opportunities, but my heart has always been here,” said Rothrock. “This city, this club and the people around it mean everything to me. I believe in what we’re building, I believe in this group and I’m proud to continue representing Seattle and competing for championships with the Sounders.”

He was selected in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC and made his MLS debut with the club in 2022.

Rothrock is the second Sounders player to be re-signed this offseason, joining longtime goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Seattle also inked free agent defender Ryan Sailor, a former UW Husky, and goalkeeper Max Anchor to deals.

The Sounders begin the 2026 MLS season with a Feb. 22 home match against the Colorado Rapids.

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