Stanford sophomore and former Seattle Sounders Academy player Jordan Morris has his future in his hands.
One of the most decorated up-and-coming soccer prospects in the country following another standout season for the Cardinal that saw him score six goals, tally seven assists and nab All Pac-12 First-Team honors, Morris could have easily turned pro with the Sounders or even abroad.
But the 20-year-old Washington-native ultimately decided that the pros could wait, announcing in a statement earlier this month that he would be returning to Stanford for his junior season rather than pursuing a Homegrown player contract with his hometown club.
Morris discussed the decision to return to school in greater detail with The Stanford Daily, saying that he is enjoying his time in college and sees no reason to rush his way into the professional ranks.
“I’m really just loving it here,” Morris told the Daily. “I have the friends here now, and the experience would be so different coming back later to finish my degree.”
Morris was the 2012 Gatorade Washington State Player of the Year in high school and the 2013 US Developmental Academy National Player of the Year. In addition to his standout play for the Cardinal, he also made headlines last season after earning two call-ups to the US national team senior squad (earning his first cap in the USMNT’s 4-1 loss to Ireland on Nov. 18), becoming the first college-level player to do so since Chris Albright in 1999.
But even with the decision to wait on turning pro, the Sounders are still very much a part of Morris’ future plans. Morris also told the Daily he expects to suit up for Seattle at some point, even though the prospect of overseas clubs courting him is a possibility as well.
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“Right now, I really want to go play for Seattle. It’s a very comfortable place for me,” Morris said. “If the offer is there after a couple of years [to go to Europe], then going there could potentially be an option. But right now, I am definitely going to Seattle.”
Morris would not be the first Stanford product to sign a Homegrown deal with Seattle. Midfielder Aaron Kovar made the jump to the Sounders last season after playing two seasons for the Cardinal.
Although they will not have Morris quite yet, the Sounders do have at least one new Homegrown signing from the Pac-12. The club announced earlier this month that it signed former University of Washington star Darwin Jones to a Homegrown deal, and he will join Seattle next season.
