Jordan Morris has finally done it.
The long-time Sounders striker scored his 87th career goal on Saturday afternoon in a 5-2 win over LAFC, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer across all competitions.
“It means everything to me to play for this club and to have my name in the history books is a really special moment,” said Morris.
It was a storybook night for the Seattle native, who was able to further cement his status as one of the club’s all-time great players with his friends, family and the Sounders faithful in attendance at Lumen Field.
“If it had happened at Salt Lake, that would have been great,” said Morris. “But, you know, I wanted to do it at home, in front of my family, in front of the fans.”
“I couldn't have done it without everyone in this [locker] room,” he continued, “And my family and my wife and I do it for my son. That's who motivates me.”
Morris’ unforgettable goal came in the 77th minute when winger Paul Rothrock slipped a through-ball to the Mercer Island native inside the box for him to drive far post into the corner of the net.
“I just kind of blacked out after scoring, but I really tried to take that in,” said Morris.
That indelible moment was made even more special with the assist coming from a fellow Sounders Academy alum and Seattle native.
“I'm super honored to be a part of that,” said Rothrock. “He said to me, ‘I'm always going to remember that one.’ So, I'm grateful that I'm in his memory on that goal. And it's cool, one Seattle kid to another to break the record with.”
Morris' milestone could not have arrived at a better time with the way the Sounders collectively overpowered a team that has caused issues for them over the past four years. Prior to Seattle’s dominant performance on Saturday, the team had only one win against the Southern California side since 2021.
“[LAFC] has turned into a kind of a bogey team for us,” said Morris. “And obviously, the playoffs [win] last year, this result, that starts to change. But what a performance by the group. Everyone that started the game, everyone that came into the game, everyone had a good game today. And to have [the goal] in a performance like that…it was a fitting moment to score.”
The record-breaking goal marked a full circle moment for Morris, who grew up supporting the Sounders and dreamed of one day scoring goals at Lumen Field and celebrating with the fans.
“Being a kid growing up here, being a fan of the team, going through the academy, sitting in the stands knowing I want to be on the field someday, to be in here now, it's a huge honor,” said Morris.
He’s accomplished what every player hopes to do for their local club, and his journey is not over yet.
“I'm grateful for it,” said Morris. “But I have to move forward now and look on to Tuesday.”
In just three days, Morris and the Sounders will take the pitch once again and look to continue this offensive momentum when they gear up to face Cruz Azul in Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 in Mexico City.
“[Today] was a good performance and something to push forward with,” said Morris.
