Another accolade for Jordan Morris.
On Thursday morning, Major League Soccer announced Morris in the No. 7 spot on its annual "24 Under 24" list. The compilation highlights the league's top talent under the age of 24, and is voted on various evaluation criteria by a panel of national soccer writers. Morris joins Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan, who jumped from No. 24 last season to No. 13 in 2017.
Morris dropped a few spots from 2016, where he was No. 3 amidst a campaign that saw him win AT&T Rookie of the Year en route to the club's first MLS Cup. The 22-year-old forward has recorded three goals and added an assist in 23 MLS matches this season. He is currently sidelined with a hamstring strain suffered against the LA Galaxy on September 10.
“I think he has matured. He understands that even if he doesn’t score goals, he plays a big part in games," Roldan said. "Obviously a forward will tell you he wants to score goals, but Jordan will tell you he wants to win.”
Despite producing fewer goals for the Sounders this season than his record-breaking rookie campaign, Morris has performed admirably for United States men's national team. He has scored four goals for the Stars and Stripes in 2017, including a brace against Martinique in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage and the game-winning goal in the 88th minute of the Gold Cup final. The Stanford product also provided service on a crucial late equalizer by Bobby Wood in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying last month.
"The hype has been out about Jordan for a while," Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said. "I said it about Cristian yesterday and I will say the same thing about Jordan. I think he should be up a little higher than seven... I am very, very happy to have Cristian and Jordan on the squad."
Within five years of starring at Mercer Island High School and winning Gatorade State Player of the Year for Washington, Morris is an NCAA men's soccer champion, MLS Cup champion, Gold Cup champion and, clearly, one of the best young players in the league.
“Jordan was thrown from college to playing against Mexico with the U.S. national team and in MLS Cup," goalkeeper Stefan Frei said. "He’s been in high-pressure situations and hasn’t been given much time, but he has done quite well. It’s about finding consistency for him and to keep on growing.”
