The worst-kept secret in soccer was revealed Friday afternoon when Sounders FC announced that forward Jordan Morris would be leaving the club for a loan spec with Swansea City. Morris will begin training with the English Championship once he clears all the medical protocol. The loan spell with Swansea City is expected to last till the end of May.
The move to a club outside of Major League Soccer is a triumph for Morris, Sounders FC and US Soccer. After an illustrious collegiate career in which he led Stanford to an NCAA National title Morris was offered a contract by German side Werder Bremen after agreeing to a two week trial. Morris was 21 years old at the time and had been named the best collegiate soccer player in 2015. A former Sounder Academy player Morris was a budding star on the National team.
The prospect of playing for his home team and the chance of joining a roster that included Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins was to appealing for Morris who signed the largest contract for a home grown player in MLS history at the time.
“I think my time over there, it was a good experience and a cool one, but it reaffirmed my belief that I wanted to play in my hometown and play before 45,000 fans at CenturyLink (Field), “said Morris at the time.
TIME FOR A CHANGE
Since his signing as a Homegrown Player Morris has 41 goals and 23 assists in 121 MLS appearances (including postseason play), helping the Rave Green to four MLS Cup appearances and two championships. The Mercer Island native was named 2016 MLS Newcomer of the Year, 2019 MLS Comeback Player of the Year, as well as a 2020 MLS Best XI selection and finalist for the 2020 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Award.
The move across the pond will erase any questions of what could have been for Morris. The English Championship League will test Morris physical toughness and give him a chance to showcase his speed. It will be interesting to see how Morris ball handling skills will measure up in a league that will have bigger, faster and stronger defenders on a consistent basis.
PUSHING FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE
Swansea City is in the midst of a push for the Premier League, England’s topflight division and one of the elite club football circuits in the world. Swansea was last in the Premier League during the 2017-2018 season prior to being relegated that campaign. The Swans currently occupy second place in the English Football League Championship – England’s highly competitive section tier – with the top two league positions automatically qualifying for the Premier League.
Places three through six square off in a four-team playoff at season’s end, with the winner securing the third and final promotion position for the next Premier League season. Swansea has 22 matches remaining in its current Championship campaign, while the club is also still alive in the FA Cup, the oldest club knockout competition in the world.
I’m very proud of the player and professional that Jordan has become. He’s been a large part of this club’s success and has more than earned this opportunity to ply his trade abroad,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “This particular move gives him a chance to showcase his skill set and opens a number of options for his future. On top of that, I am excited to watch him play for Swansea.”
