CARSON, Calif. -- Jordan Morris punctuated a wonderful week with another goal for a US national team, expressed his delight with how things seem to be falling perfectly into place for him, then noted that none of it has altered his thinking about playing another season for Stanford University's men's soccer team.
The 20-year-old striker tallied in his first full national team start, last week's 2-0 victory in a friendly against Mexico in San Antonio, and he netted the final goal in the US Under-23 national team's 3-0 romp over the Mexicans in Wednesday night's friendly at StubHub Center.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders, who are looking to sign Morris on a Homegrown Player deal, have for the first time -- as first reported by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl -- presented the Mercer Island, Wash., product a written contract offer.
Morris, who declined a verbal offer during the offseason, says the new contract proposal won't sway him.
The plan is to return to Stanford, where he was a first-team NSCAA All-America selection last fall, through next season. From there, Morris will see where to take things.
Asked if eventually signing with the Sounders was still his plan, Morris replied: “As of right now, definitely.”
Morris -- whose father, Michael, is the Sounders' medical director and orthopedic surgeon -- has said he might have opted to go pro if he were attending a different university. Stanford, of course, is one of the world's most prestigious schools.
“Honestly, I just love it there,” he said. “The soccer, the school, just the atmosphere of being at Stanford is amazing. I realize that it's something I'll never be able to get back [if I leave]. I can go back and finish school in 15-20 years -- hopefully, after a long career -- but this time, when you're the same age as everyone, you have great friends, and playing soccer there is just an experience I'll never get back.”
Morris has made a meteoric rise through the US system since his first call-up to the full national team, ahead of last September's friendly against the Czech Republic. He made his international debut in a November loss at Ireland, saw a few minutes in last month's draw at Switzerland, then impressed during his first start last week. His goal gave the Yanks a lead four minutes into the second half.
“Unbelievable,” Morris said. “It's something I've been dreaming about since I was a little kid, to start for the national team, and to score a goal was just amazing, especially against Mexico in front of [a sellout crowd]. An unbelievable moment, for sure.”
He tallied in the 68th minute Wednesday for the U-23s, volleying home a cross -- as Mexico goalkeeper Luis Cardenas frantically tried to stop the shot at the goal line -- from Colorado Rapids defender Shane O'Neill following a corner kick.
“It was a great ball from Shane,” Morris said. “All credit to him, because all I had to do was stick my foot out and just use the power of the ball to redirect it toward the net.”
US U-23 coach Andreas Herzog loves what Morris provides, especially when teamed with Borussia Monchengladbach's Mario Rodriguez.
“[He] scores goals. And the pace from Jordan is unbelievable,” Herzog said. “It's important for every team.”
Morris said US coach Jurgen Klinsmann's advice has been about his approach to the game more than anything else.
“One of the main things Jurgen stresses is just play as hard as you can. Every time you step on the field, continue to grow as a player,” Morris said. “No matter if that's at Stanford or here -- wherever I am, just working and playing to my highest level, because that's what's really going to help me continue to grow as a player.”
