FEBRUARY 23 • ABCNEWS.COM
Paul Rothrock sparks Sounders to 2-0 victory over Rapids in season opener Paul Rothrock had a goal and an assist after replacing an injured Jordan Morris early in the first half and the Seattle Sounders beat the Co...
Yeimar Gomez Andrade - Defensive pilar to start season Gomez generated four tackles (two won), 10 clearances and four interceptions in Sunday's 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids.
Impact Gomez anchored the box as Seattle absorbed wave after wave of pressure from Colorado, especially late when the Rapids turned up the heat searching for an equalizer. He stepped up in the biggest moments, winning key duels, dominating set pieces with a massive 10 clearances, and staying locked in through extended defensive stretches while adding four tackles (two won) and four interceptions to cap off a brilliant performance against the Rapids. Gomez is once again expected to be the unquestioned leader of the Sounders' back line this season.
FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Jesus Ferreira - Decent outing in opener Ferreira registered one shot (one on goal), five crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 2-0 victory against Colorado Rapids.
Impact Ferreira delivered both key passes that sparked the goals in Seattle's 2-0 season opener win over Colorado, pulling the strings from start to finish. He played a major role in the buildup to Albert Rusnak's opener, then exploded down the right flank and whipped in a low cross that Paul Rothrock buried around the hour mark. Time and again he drove through pressure to ignite counters and kept Colorado's back line on its heels. Even without finding the net himself, his precision in the final third dictated the match, highlighted by his five crosses (two accurate).
FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Albert Rusnak - Brillant in opener Rusnak scored one goal to go with four shots (one on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and seven corners in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids.
Impact Rusnak opened the scoring in the 15th minute of the season opener against the Rapids, calmly burying his finish after Paul Rothrock's hard work carved out the opportunity. He floated into the right pockets to link play and kept Seattle sharp and efficient even without controlling possession. His early strike dictated the match tempo and forced Colorado into chase mode for the rest of the night. Rusnak looked every bit the dynamic playmaker we saw last season, whipping in six crosses, delivering seven corners, and firing four shots in a statement performance.
FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Paul Rothrock - Two goal contributions in opener Rothrock scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and four chances created in Sunday's 2-0 win versus Colorado Rapids.
Impact Rothrock's nonstop engine down the right wing directly sparked the opener, as his buildup play created the look that Albert Rusnak stroke in the 15th minute. He then took matters into his own hands just past the hour mark, crashing into the box and smashing Jesus Ferreira's low cross home from point-blank range to double the lead. Beyond the score sheet, he was a constant outlet under pressure, driving the ball forward to ignite counters and keep Seattle threatening, finishing with four chances created. With Jordan Morris (hamstring) sidelined for some time, Rothrock is lined up to see a steady run of minutes moving forward.
FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Andrew Thomas - Three-save clean sheet in opener Thomas made three saves and allowed zero goals in Sunday's 2-0 win versus Colorado Rapids.
Impact Thomas opened 2026 with a clean sheet, turning aside three shots as Seattle knocked off the Rapids to start the year on the right foot. His signature moment came deep into second-half stoppage time when he exploded off his line, slashed the angle and stonewalled Alex Harris at the near post to preserve the shutout. He was sharp dealing with crosses and calm playing out of the back despite Colorado controlling more of the ball, a strong all-around performance that reinforces his grip on the starting job over Stefan Frei for the Sounders, and he'll look to back it up Saturday against Real Salt Lake.
FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Zack Steffen - Beaten twice in opener Steffen registered four saves and allowed two goals in Sunday's 2-0 loss versus Seattle Sounders FC.
Impact Steffen gave up two goals in Colorado's 2-0 season opener loss to Sounders, first getting beat in the 15th minute when Albert Rusnak capped off a sequence sparked by Paul Rothrock's work to open the space. He was picked apart again just past the hour mark, as Jesus Ferreira whipped in a low cross that found Rothrock for a thunderous finish from point-blank range. To his credit, Steffen kept the scoreline from getting uglier with four strong saves as Seattle hunted for a third, and despite a rough opener overall, he'll try to carry those positives into Saturday's showdown with Portland.
FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
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