Jordan Morris: MLS Career, Records Stats And Figures

One of the most recognisable and successful faces in Major League Soccer, Jordan Morris has climbed his way through the youth ranks at Seattle Sounders to make over a century’s worth of appearances and represent his country on the biggest of stages. His progression has helped put the journey of homegrown players in Major League Soccer on the map, and he remains one of the best forward players in the division in 2021. 

With the Sounders topping the 2021 Western Conference and looking to bridge the gap between themselves and Supporters Shield winners New England Revolution in this season’s playoffs, SinkorSwimSports takes a look back over Jordan Morris’ MLS career, records and stats. 

At A Glance: Jordan Morris Stats

Full Name: Jordan Perry Morris

D.O.B: October 26th, 1994 (Age 27) 

Place Of Birth: Seattle, Washington, United States

Position: Winger, Striker

Current Club: Seattle Sounders

Previous Clubs: Eastside FC, Stanford Cardinal

MLS Appearances: 106

MLS Goals: 35

America’s Next Homegrown Talent 

From an early age, it was abundantly clear that Jordan Morris was ready to become one of North America’s best up-and-coming homegrown talents. Hosting the World Cup in 1994 had put soccer on the map for institutions across the United States, and Morris was a part of one of the first generations of young players looking to make it as a fully-fledged professional. 

Playing for Eastside FC from U11 to U17 level from 2004-2012, Morris was an instrumental feature in Dan Strom’s side winning six of its seven Washington State titles during this time. The side also bagged two third-place finishes at the US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2011 and 2012, the latter of which saw Morris win the Golden Ball, NSCAA Washington State Player of the Year, and NSCAA High School All-American awards. 

Between 2013 and 2015, Morris played college football for Stanford Cardinal, making 54 appearances and scoring 23 times as the team won their first Pac-12 championship since 2001. 

His stellar performances across youth team and college football saw Morris picked up by Seattle Sounders’ U-23 team in 2014, with whom he made four appearances and scored once. 

By 2016, it was inevitable that Morris was going to make it as a pro player, and he was even offered a chance to train with Bundesliga club Werder Bremen at their winter camp that January. The club’s chief executive, Thomas Eichin, was certain they had secured the young American’s services, however, Morris turned down the move to Germany in favour of plying his trade in his homeland.

MLS Breakthrough 

By the winter of 2016, Morris’ achievements in youth and college-level soccer had reached as high as the legendary Jurgen Klinsmann, who claimed: “he obviously has to” turn professional. And with his father working for the club and owning his amateur rights, there was never any doubt over which Major League club Morris would be going with.

Jordan Morris’ homegrown contract in January 2016 was the first-ever in Major League Soccer history, and worth a cool $250,000 a year, firmly cementing the young American in the history books forever.

Morris made his first appearance and start just a month later on February 23rd against Club América in the CONCACAF Champions League, making his debut in the MLS later on that week against Sporting Kansas City. His first goal came on April 16th against Philadelphia Union, kickstarting a run of four consecutive games where the American found the net, breaking the rookie goalscoring record in the division. 

Success With The Sounders 

Ever since his breakthrough into the side’s first team, Jordan Morris and the Seattle Sounders have been amongst the most consistent forces in Major League Soccer. A regular favourite in our MLS betting tips, the team has become known across the land as specialists in the postseason playoffs, having never won a Supporters Shield or topped the Western Conference since 2014. 

Morris finished his debut season with the Sounders as the team’s top goalscorer with 12 MLS goals in 34 appearances as the side climbed back from 9th at one point to finish the season in 4th, bagging the MLS Cup after a tense penalty shootout against Toronto. 

Seattle Sounders MLS Record Since 2016 

2016: Conference. 4th Overall. 7th  Playoffs. Winners 

2017: Conference. 2nd Overall. 7th Playoffs. Runners-Up 

2018: Conference. 2nd Overall. 4th Playoffs. Quarter-Finals

2019: Conference. 2nd Overall. 4th Playoffs. Winners

2020: Conference. 2nd Overall. 6th Playoffs. Runners-Up

2021: Conference. 2nd Overall. 3rd

Injuries And Stagnation 

Following his impressive breakthrough year, however, Morris’ whirlwind ride to the top of Major League Soccer would hit a series of frustrating snags. 

2017 Would only bring 3 goals in 23 MLS appearances for Morris as the frontman was consistently shifted out onto the right-wing, with the Sounders improving to a 2nd place finish in the Western Conference, but ultimately losing out to an imperious Supporters Shield winning Toronto team. 

After a stop-start 2017, Morris would suffer a serious ACL injury in February 2018 whilst on international duty with the USMNT, ruling him out of the entire 2018 MLS season. 

MLS Comeback Player of the Year

Morris returned to the Sounders side in 2019 and, whilst there were still the odd injury or niggle that ruled him out of a few matches, once again proved his worth to the side. With the experienced duo of Osvaldo Alonso and Chad Marshall moving on from the club at the beginning of the campaign, Morris suddenly found himself as one of the team’s veteran players, growing into something of a leadership role throughout the season both on and off the pitch. 

He began to take interviews, could be seen dishing out orders on the pitch, and, most importantly, delivered the goods when the chips were down for the Sounders, with the 90+4 minute winner against the San Jose Earthquakes in the Heritage Cup being a particular highlight. 

Morris would also score a sensational hat-trick in the 2019 postseason playoffs against FC Dallas, taking the Sounders through during extra-time. The Sounders would get revenge for 2017 against Toronto in that year’s MLS Cup, with Morris completing one of the best redemption stories in recent years by picking up the 2019 MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award

Jordan Morris 2019-20 MLS Stats 

2019

MLS Appearances: 26

MLS Goals: 10 

2020

MLS Appearances: 22 

MLS Goals: 10

How Good Is Jordan Morris?  

Jordan Morris’ career has definitely been far from straightforward. Having never found a home in Germany, England, or even the national side, he is one of the few type one diabetes players active at the top level of soccer, has had two campaigns derailed by season-ending injuries, and has had a plethora of niggles and knocks that have prevented him from amassing the number of appearances needed to bag the ‘era-defining’ individual awards. 

Nevertheless, much like a player such as Sergio Aguero, he has developed a handy reputation for hitting the ground running and being a valuable member for one of the MLS’ most acclaimed sides when he is on the pitch, stepping up and performing at the most clutch points in a campaign plenty of times. 

His deceptive pace, height, and power make him a versatile forward with a good grasp on most elements of the game, and with his connections to his hometown firmly set, he is in the perfect place to continue having an impact for the Sounders in the MLS for years to come.