Pre-Match
Despite a 2025 season that saw a historic Leagues Cup win, an early playoff exit left the Seattle Sounders with a bitter taste in their mouth. The quest to further expand one of the biggest trophy cabinets in North America continued on Sunday Night, with the 2026 Season Opener against the Colorado Rapids.
Brian Schmetzer put out a familiar starting 11, with the only notable change from last season being the debut of midfielder Hassani Dotson, acquired from Minnesota in the offseason, filling the void left by the departure of Obed Vargas.
Seattle entered the night with a 14-2-3 all-time home record against Colorado, and played like it from the opening whistle, pressing high and creating the lions-share of the opportunities.
The 31,000 fans on hand for the match were the most for a home-opener in the Sounders’ post-Covid era.
Morris Injury woes continue
An all-too familiar scene took place off the ball in the opening minutes, as Jordan Morris could be seen walking gingerly, glancing at the bench, and eventually falling to the turf.
Morris would be replaced by Paul Rothrock just five minutes into his season debut, with a quad injury being the official club statement.
The Rothrock sparkplug returns
Rothrock didn’t need long to remind Lumen field why he became a cult hero during his breakout 2025 season. In the 14th minute the Sounders Academy product hustled to keep a ball in touch before delivering a cross towards Albert Rusnak, who provided a tidy headed finish. This was just the second career header goal for Albert Rusnak, both of which have come against the colorado rapids.
It was hard not to notice the symbolism of the Sounders’ all-time leading scorer going down hobbling within five minutes, only for Paul Rothrock to bring a bolt of energy and provide a service for the Sounders’ first goal of 2026 just minutes later. A change of the guard that has been underway since last season seems to be close to completion.
“(Paul) is always ready. That kid is always ready.”
-Brian Schmetzer
This was just the second career header goal for Albert Rusnak, both of which have come against the colorado rapids
The longest first half in MLS history
The Sounders thought they had grabbed their second in the 17th minute when Federal Way native and Sounders debutant Hassani Dotson pounced on and buried a rebound, but the goal was called back by VAR for a foul committed by Osaze De Rosario in the build-up.
“It was a goal.”
-Brian Schmetzer
Through 25 minutes, the Sounders led the shot category five to nothing, and frustration started to show on the visitors. A clattering challenge by Rapids center back Noah Cobb, in which the 20-year-old threw an elbow to the jaw of Paul Rothrock, saw an immediate red card, but after the game’s second extended VAR check, the foul was downgraded to a yellow.
A series of hellacious challenges committed by Colorado in the latter stages of the first half had head referee Malik Badawi going to the pocket book repeatedly, trying to wrestle back control of a game that had the physicality of a playoff match in February
The fourth official’s signal for 12 minutes of stoppage-time sent a gasp around the crowd, but was fully deserved for a first half which included two trips to the VAR monitor, four yellow cards and five injury timeouts. One last victim of the first half came ten minutes into stoppage time, as Hassani Dotson was forced off after a scary head-to-head collision, replaced by Snyder Brunell.
“Hassani is coherent, he feels good, but safety is the #1 priority.”
-Brian Schmetzer
After 61 brutal minutes in the rain, Badawi mercifully whistled an end to one of the longest first halves in MLS history.
Paulie Primetime strikes again
Albert Rusnak was unfortunate to not bag his second goal three minutes into the second half, as Jesus Ferreira slid a perfect through ball behind the back-line, only for the Slovakian to fire wide of net.
In the 64th minute, Jesus Ferreira directed a driven diagonal ball through the legs of a Colorado defender to an onrushing Paul Rothrock, who blasted it past Zack Steffen, 2-0. This would be Ferreira’s last involvement in the match, leaving in the 68th minute as the game’s leader in expected assists with 0.40. Georgi Minoungou would replace Ferreira on the wing. Danny Musovski would also be introduced in place of Osaze De Rosario.
After a start to the match which was muddied by frequent stoppages, the latter 20 of the 90 went by smoothly. Colorado pushed to cut into the lead, but safe hands from Andrew Thomas and some clinical tackles from the Sounders center backs limited the Rapids to only half-chances.
The crowd rose to their feet in the 88th minute to welcome back Paul Arriola, who returns after missed 2025 with a nasty early-season injury.
The match ended as a comfortable 2-0 result for Seattle, who continue their historic dominance over Colorado, and start 2026 off in the best way.
Post-match quotes
With the Sounders now embarking on a four-match, month and a half long MLS road trip, getting this result meant a little more.
“This was a crucial win, we needed this result.”
-Brian Schmetzer
The story of the match was Paul Rothrock’s surprise introduction within five minutes, and immediate impact.
“Paul absolutely took his chance, and that’s something he’s done a few things now.”
-Andrew Thomas
I had a feeling I might be on a little earlier tonight… I’ve done it before and some of those games have been my best games… At that point it’s coming in free and figuring things out on the fly,”
-Paul Rothrock
Rothrock’s assist on the Sounders’ first goal encapsulated the heart and hustle that has defined his rise within the Rave Green ranks.
“I was honestly surprised when I turned around and the ball was still in play. It was a happy surprise”
-Paul Rothrock
The 61-minute first half was something that caught both coaches and players off-guard.
“It was disjointed, we did a good job of calming down at halftime.”
-Brian Schmetzer
“That was the strangest half of soccer I think I’ve been involved in.”
-Andrew Thomas
An opening-night clean sheet was the proudest point of the night, with quality performances from the back-line and newly established Sounders #1 Andrew Thomas.
“We gave away a few too many goals last year, it’s been a focus for us. I’m very pleased with the clean sheet but also the way we defended.”
-Brian Schmetzer
“We were dominant to the point that it was going to be a transition or mistake that led to a chance for them.”
-Andrew Thomas
The Sounders now go on the road to Salt Lake, St. Louis, San Jose, and a Concacaf opponent before their next home match March 18th in continental play.
MATCH NOTES
- After one round of MLS play, Seattle sits in fourth place in the Western Conference three points (1-0-0) and a plus-two goal differential.
- Albert Rusnák opened his 2026 scoring account in the 15th minute, marking his 37th strike in all competitions since joining Seattle prior to 2022. The Slovakian international scored 14 goals last year to go along with 12 assists.
- Paul Rothrock’s goal in the 62nd minute was his 13th goal in all competitions since signing with Seattle during the 2023 season. He tallied five strikes in 2025.
- Rothrock recorded the assist on Rusnák’s goal, his first of the season after earning nine in 2025.
- Jesús Ferreira also tallied an assist on Rusnák’s goal, his first of the year after earning 12 last year in all competitions, tied for second on the team.
- Seattle’s record in MLS play (regular season and playoffs) against Colorado moves to 27-8-7 with the result, the most wins by any team over a single opponent since 2009.
- Alex Roldan made his 250th appearance in all competitions tonight, passing Brad Evans for sixth in club history.
- Sounders FC is now 10-7-1 all-time in MLS season openers, and 11-5-2 all-time in home openers.
- Hassani Dotson made his Rave Green debut tonight after signing with Seattle during the offseason. The Federal Way native made 176 appearances with 18 goals in all competitions for Minnesota United FC from 2019-2025.
- Paul Arriola subbed into the match in the 85th minute, his first action since tearing his ACL in March of last season.
- Seattle now begins a five-match road stretch beginning with a trip to Real Salt Lake on Saturday, February 28 at America First Field (4:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Colorado Rapids 0
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistants: Cameron Blanchard, Jason White
Fourth Official: Sergii Demianchuk
VAR: Daniel Radford
Attendance: 31,606
Weather: 44 degrees and rainy
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Albert Rusnák (Paul Rothrock, Jesús Ferreira) 15’
SEA – Paul Rothrock (Jesús Ferreira, Osaze De Rosario) 62’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
COL – Rafael Navarro (caution) 23’
COL – Dante Sealy (caution) 40’
COL – Reggie Cannon (caution) 42’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (caution) 61’
SEA – Snyder Brunell (caution) 72’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Andrew Thomas; Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; Cristian Roldan – Captain, Hassani Dotson (Snyder Brunell 45+14’); Albert Rusnák (Paul Arriola 88’), Jesús Ferreira (Georgi Minoungou 69’), Jordan Morris (Paul Rothrock 8’); Osaze De Rosario (Danny Musovski 69’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Frei, Antino Lopez, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Nikola Petković
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 10
Offside: 4
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 4
Colorado Rapids – Zack Steffen – Captain; Reggie Cannon (Keegan Rosenberry HT), Lucas Herrington, Noah Cobb, Jackson Travis (Miguel Navvaro 88’); Josh Atencio, Paxten Aaronson (Alex Harris 68’), Hamzat Ojediran (Wayne Frederick 59’); Dante Sealy (Alexis Castillo Manyoma 68’), Rafael Navarro, Darren Yapi (Ted Ku-DiPietro 74’)
Substitutes not used: Nico Hansen, Connor Ronan, Rob Holding
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 17
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 5
