Major League Soccer unveiled the nominees for the MLS is Back Tournament Best XI on Monday morning, with Sounders FC winger Jordan Morris earning a spot as one of 10 candidates in the forward pool.
Following a four-month layoff due to COVID-19, Morris carried over his prolific form from the start of the campaign to the MLS is Back Tournament, posting one goal, two assists and an earned penalty kick in four matches. Morris, 25, earned plenty of plaudits for his showings in Orlando, Fla., with league pundits dubbing him as one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league.
Unlike the other major awards categories for the competitions, the Best XI will be determined 100% by media vote. The only Sounders player to get the nod for the award, Morris faces stiff competition, with Ayo Akinola (TOR), Jeremy Ebobisse (POR), Chris Mueller (ORL), Nani (ORL), Alan Pulido (SKC), Diego Rossi (LAFC), Sergio Santos (PHI), Chris Wondolowski (SJ), Bradley Wright-Phillips (LAFC) and Gyasi Zardes rounding out the field.
Of the 10 players nominated for the forward pool, Morris is just one of three to not make it past the Round of 16, an indication of how influential the Homegrown Player was on the pitch.
The final selections for Best XI will be revealed by MLS on Thursday, August 13.
