Seattle Sounders: Jordan Morris Edging Closer to Full Fitness
By Paul Taylor
The latest update in respect of Jordan Morris’ hamstring strain in encouraging, but his status for the Seattle Sounders is still up in the air.
Almost everything went to plan for the Seattle Sounders in their Western Conference Semifinal against FC Dallas. However, the key word in that previous sentence is “almost”.
Understandably, everyone was concerned when Jordan Morris came off at half-time during the second leg, with a hamstring strain. When a player asks to be removed from action, you know it’s pretty bad.
Shortly after the game, Morris spoke to the media and advised there was no timeline on his recovery: “They said kind of day-to-day and we’ll go from there.
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“I had an MRI, and the results were pretty good. I’m just day-to-day and working to get back.”
At the time, the one blessing was the international break for World Cup qualifiers. As a result, it gave the Sounders valuable extra time to work on the fitness of the 2016 MLS Rookie of the Year.
As you’d expect, the speculation surrounding Morris’ fitness has been one of the main storylines in the lead-up to the Western Conference Championship against the Colorado Rapids. Earlier this week, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said: “Every day, baby steps – hopefully those baby steps translate into playing.”
This was following by the 22-year old taking part in half of last Wednesday’s training session. This represented the most he had participated since first sustaining his hamstring strain.
Sunday provided the most encouraging news yet in respect of Morris’ recovery. As reported by Mazvita Maraire of nwfacts.com, he practiced once again with the team, this time without a noticeable limp.
Of course, this does not guarantee the Seattle native will play in the first leg on Tuesday. No matter how many precautions you take, hamstring strains can be notoriously unpredictable.
Overall, Schmetzer will do everything possible to get Morris on the field against FC Dallas. The Sounders may be better served starting him on the substitutes bench, but it will be interesting to see how things pan out.
Next: Jordan Morris just getting started
Taking everything into account in respect of Morris’ hamstring strain, what would you do for the first leg? Would you take the risk and start him, put him on the subs bench or rest him altogether? Let us know in the comments section.