SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC today announced the signing of U.S. Men's National Team forward Jordan Morris as a Homegrown Player. The Sounders FC Academy product joins the club following a standout collegiate career at Stanford University, where he led the Cardinal to a National Championship and won the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2015. The seventh Homegrown Player signing in club history, Morris has seven National Team caps and became the first collegiate player since 1995 to make a senior USMNT appearance on his debut in November of 2014. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
"Today we're excited and proud to officially welcome Jordan back into the Sounders FC organization," said Seattle Owner Adrian Hanauer. "Jordan and his family have a long history with our organization, so it's a pleasure to make him the seventh Homegrown Player in club history. As one of the most promising U.S. Soccer prospects in recent memory, we're thrilled to have him join the club as we move into our eighth season in Major League Soccer."
The Mercer Island native began with the organization when he joined the Sounders FC Academy in 2012 and went on to star for the U-18 squad, scoring 28 goals in 32 games. Morris was named 2012-2013 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Player of the Year, edging fellow finalists and current MLS players Kellyn Acosta and Matt Miazga of FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls, respectively. His family has been intricately involved with the club long before Morris joined the Academy, as his father, Dr. Michael Morris, began as Team Physician with the USL Sounders and currently holds the title of Team Medical Director and Orthopedic Surgeon for Sounders FC.
"It's very important for our organization to build from the Academy ranks, so we are very excited to sign Jordan as a Homegrown Player," said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. "Jordan had a fantastic collegiate career at Stanford and is now a regular U.S. National Team player, so we think he's a guy who can come in and contribute to our team."
Morris then accepted a scholarship to Stanford University, where he was a two-time NSCAA First Team All-American and three-time First Team All-Pac 12 selection. As a senior in 2015, he led the Cardinal to the National Championship and won the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate player in the country, after recording 13 goals and three assists. Morris totaled 23 goals and 16 assists in 54 career appearances in three seasons at Stanford.
"We've been following Jordan for a long time and have been impressed with his athleticism, work rate and finishing ability," said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "He's also a guy with great character and a strong family who we know very well, so we think he'll be a great fit for our team."
Morris, 21, has seven appearances for the U.S. National Team and became the first collegiate player to earn a cap since 1995 when he made his debut on November 18, 2014. He scored his first international goal in a friendly win over Mexico at the Alamo Dome on April 15, 2015 with a second-half strike to lead the Stars and Stripes to a 2-0 win. In addition to his contributions to the senior team, Morris has played extensively at the youth levels, including three goals in five appearances for the U-23 U.S. National Team in 2016 Olympic Qualifying, including a brace against Canada on January 10.
Morris joins six other players as Sounders FC Homegrown Player signings. U.S. National Team defender DeAndre Yedlin was the club's first Homegrown Player in 2012, making two MLS All-Star appearances before being sold to Tottenham Hotspur of the Barclays Premier League. The club then signed current Sounders FC midfielder Aaron Kovar and former forward Sean Okoli in 2013, before adding current forwards Victor Mansaray and Darwin Jones in 2014. Earlier this month the Rave Green signed University of Denver midfielder Jordan Schweitzer to a Homegrown deal.
Prior to his time with the Academy, Morris was a two-time First Team All-KingCo selection at Mercer Island High School and was named league MVP in 2012 after leading the Islanders to an appearance in the State Championship game. He was also named 2012 Gatorade State Player of the Year, NSCAA Washington State Player of the Year and a NSCAA High School All-American.
