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Jordan Morris Stays Home with the Seattle Sounders

By Ben Renner

Oct 13, 2015; Sandy, UT, USA; Canada goalkeeper Max Crepeau (1) kicks the ball away from the goal after a head ball by United States forward Jordan Morris (9) during the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. United States won the game 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Sandy, UT, USA; Canada goalkeeper Max Crepeau (1) kicks the ball away from the goal after a head ball by United States forward Jordan Morris (9) during the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. United States won the game 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jordan Morris signed the largest homegrown contract to play for his hometown MLS squad, the Seattle Sounders. Get excited.

The United States Men’s Team has been excited about Jordan Morris since he joined the U20 squad in 2013. Now, he joins the Seattle Sounders by signing the richest homegrown contract in MLS history. Morris was so impressive during his tenure at Stanford that the striker got international offers from European clubs, most recently from the Bundesliga club Werder Bremen.

Werder Bremen is of course a prestigious team playing in a prestigious league in Germany. Despite concerns that Morris is wasting an opportunity to play at the highest level in the world by becoming the MLS’ golden boy, he made the right decision, at least for now. Morris could have proven himself among some of the best soccer players in the world in Germany, but he would have taken a huge risk going there.

Jordan Morris could have been yet another top American prospect who gets lost in the shuffle in Europe among the elite. By signing with the Sounders, Morris gets something far more valuable than the honor of playing in one of the world’s most competitive soccer leagues: he gets an opportunity to be an icon for Seattle and for MLS.

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Morris is a Seattle native. He said that his homesickness for his city brought him back to give the rabid Sounders fans a homegrown kid to cheer for at the Clink. He’s a huge signing for Seattle, who got exactly what they needed: young blood up front that can contribute right away and eventually take over for Clint Dempsey. Morris now returns from Bremen winter training camp in Turkey a hero to Sounders fans and a new hope for MLS.

Some analysts have wondered if Jordan Morris has made a mistake by returning to Seattle. Perhaps he could have gotten some experience overseas that would have helped him develop into a better player. I get the argument. It’s possible that Morris missed out on an opportunity, but playing in front of his friends and family in Seattle isn’t a bad way to gain experience, either.

Morris’ decision is the safe one. He’s coming home to a team and a city that already loves him to play for Sigi Schmid who will undoubtedly give him every opportunity to mature into the star he can be. Good call, Jordan, and welcome home.

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