What We Learned This Week: We (still) have Rothrock

He’s staying home. Niko Moreno joins Jeremiah to discuss the Sounders re-signing of local folk hero/soccer player Paul Rothrock. The guys break down some specifics of the saga that has been ongoing for quite some time and what ultimately led to Paul re-signing. They also weigh in on the other new additions to the team in Hassani Dotson, Ryan Sailor and Max Anchor.Follow Niko Moreno on BlueSky and YouTube.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

What We Learned This Week meets up earlier than usual to discuss the recent signing of Federal Way native Hassani Dotson, formerly with Minnesota United. Jeff Reuter (Five Asides, Total Soccer Show’s MLS Weekly) joins Niko and Jeremiah to talk about what Dotson could bring to the Sounders. They also talk about Tacoma Defiance’s new head coach and possibly dropping news about a former Sounder being offered an assistant role?Follow Niko Moreno on BlueSky and YouTube. Follow Jeff Reuter on BlueSky.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Paul Tenorio, senior writer covering soccer for The Athletic, joins Jeremiah as they discuss his book, The Messi Effect. The book description reads: “The Messi Effect takes you inside the locker room as Messi’s arrival turned a last-place team into a global phenomenon, and into the Major League Soccer boardroom as league owners debated how to leverage Messi’s arrival to shape the future of the league and sport in America.”Follow Paul Tenorio on BlueSky.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Niko joins Jeremiah to discuss several major roster developments including the confirmed re-signing of Sounders legend Stefan Frei on a reduced-salary contract. They talk details over the Danny Leyva transfer to Necaxa as well as what the team is prepared to do about Obed Vargas if negotiations continue to stall out. Also discussed is what Paul Rothrock choosing San Jose would mean to the team and Tacoma Defiance roster news.Follow Niko Moreno on BlueSky and YouTube.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Adam Belz of The Scuffed Podcast joins Jeremiah to discuss the recent USMNT World Cup draw. They also dug into roster decisions leading up to the World Cup and of course, Cristian Roldan’s place on the roster. To round the conversation out the two conversed about whether or not  Mauricio Pochettino is exactly the right coach for the USMNT for all the reasons no one really expected.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Niko and Jeremiah discussed the likelihood of the very unexpected transfer rumor that surfaced about a potential Danny Leyva move to Necaxa of Liga MX. They talk about what the fee range might be in and what that cap space to do for the Sounders 2026 roster, including what the Leyva news might mean for Obed Vargas’ status. On the topic of other contracts the guys shared updates on Stefan Frei and Paul Rothrock seemingly being courted by Nashville SC. Frustrations about Craig Waibel’s public communication style and the search for Tacoma Defiance’s next head coach round out the show.Follow Niko Moreno on BlueSky and YouTube.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Andrew Visnovsky formerly with MLS Player Relations joins Jeremiah to help break down some of the challenges of the upcoming CBA negotiations for this next era of Major League Soccer.Andrew Visnovsky is Senior Counsel at Vela Wood. His practice is focused on the sports business, advising players, agents, clubs, and governing bodies on matters related to strategic regulatory advice, player and business transactions, and disputes.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Niko joins Jeremiah for what they were calling the “last What We Learned This Week” for the year because today’s press conference was probably the last real information for the rest of 2025. The guys discussed said press conference which was aimed at addressing the current state of the Sounders’ roster. They talk about how they think the team is set up going into the 2026 campaign and what they believe will be their best opportunities for improvement.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

As we are in the offseason now, Aaron and Jeremiah answer a lot of questions posed by the Sounder at Heart Discord. They tackled some season review questions including which players overperformed their contracts in 2025, discussed several stadium issues including ideas on how to make Lumen a better option, and what is going on with Obed Vargas contract talks. The guys finish it out and answer various questions about the current and future roster. Even in the offseason there is a lot to break down.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.

Niko and Jeremiah learned a lot this week but really the hot topic became the MLS proposed calendar changes and putting MLS season pass behind only one paywall. They also review the Sounders' disappointing playoff exit at the hands of themselves and Minnesota. Finally the guys briefly touch on the uncertainties in play contract negotiations including Stefan Frei, Obed Vargas, and Paul Rothrock.Sponsor🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php***Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.