Seattle Sounders Secure Victory in Rainy Season Opener
In a rainy kickoff to the season, the Seattle Sounders secured a convincing 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday night, aided by an impressive performance from Paul Rothrock. Rothrock stepped into the match early, replacing the injured Jordan Morris within the first ten minutes. Morris suffered a noncontact injury in the eighth minute, leaving Seattle to regroup quickly.
Key Moments of the Match
Just seven minutes after Morris’s exit, Rothrock made an impact, assisting Albert Rusnák’s header to give the Sounders a 1-0 advantage. The momentum was nearly bolstered further by Hassani Dotson, who appeared to find the back of the net just three minutes later; however, his effort was disallowed following a video review which ruled a foul in the build-up.
The new season marked Dotson’s debut after transitioning from Minnesota United, where he spent seven seasons. Additionally, during the first half, the Rapids faced discipline issues, as four players received yellow cards after head coach Matt Wells emphasized a more aggressive playing style upon taking over the team. His predecessor, Chris Armas, had been released due to the team’s failure to reach the playoffs last season.
Injury and Second Half Performance
In an incident during the first half, Dotson himself was forced to leave the match temporarily after a head injury, bringing on 18-year-old Snyder Brunell. Although Seattle maintained their 1-0 lead at halftime, the second half saw Rothrock secure his own goal in the 62nd minute, with assists coming from Jesús Ferreira and Osaze De Rosario, marking Rothrock’s 11th career goal in 65 appearances.
Goalkeeping Highlights
Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made four saves in the match, recording his fourth clean sheet in only his 26th league start for the Sounders, while veteran goalkeeper Stefan Frei shifted to a backup role this season. For Colorado, Zack Steffen had three saves in his third year with the team.
Looking Ahead
Seattle’s fans will have to wait until April 12 for another home match as renovations are underway at their stadium ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Next up, the Sounders travel to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, while Colorado will take on the Portland Timbers at home on the same day.
