SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris has been voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week for the first week of the 2020 MLS season. Morris recorded two goals in a 2-1 season-opening win over Chicago Fire FC on Sunday at CenturyLink Field, including a match-winner in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. This marks the second consecutive season that Morris has earned MLS Player of the Week honors in the opening week of the season, following last season’s brace in a 4-1 win over FC Cincinnati.
Down 1-0 in the 62nd minute on Sunday, Morris scored the club's first MLS regular season goal of 2020 after coming on as a substitute at halftime. Kelvin Leerdam played Cristian Roldan down the right flank near the touchline for a low cross in front of goal, and Morris fought his way through a defender for a tap-in at the far post. The goal opened Morris' 2020 MLS account following a 2019 season in which he won MLS Comeback Player of the Year and Sounders FC Team MVP after tallying 10 goals and seven assists.
The match remained level until the third minute of second-half stoppage time, when Morris netted the game-winner to complete his brace. João Paulo's corner kick found Roldan at the near post for a snap-header to Morris, who re-directed the ball in the net at the far post. It marked the fourth career brace for the Mercer Island native, who signed as a Homegrown Player prior to the 2016 season.
MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
Sounders FC continues its two-match home stint to start the regular season against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, March 7. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field, with local broadcast coverage on JOEtv, 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
