US national team forward Jordan Morris capped the best season of his stellar college career in fine fashion, bagging two goals – including the opener less than two minutes after the opening whistle – to lead Stanford to their first men’s soccer national title with a 4-0 victory over Clemson in the 2015 NCAA College Cup final Sunday afternoon at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
It was Stanford’s third appearance in the final and first since 2002 after beating Akron 8-7 in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw in the semifinals Friday night. Clemson were also making their third appearance in the final and also advanced with a shootout win in Friday’s semifinals, beating Syracuse 4-1 on PKs after a scoreless draw.
In what could be the last game of his college career, Morris – a junior and product of the Seattle Sounders academy who last year made his senior US debut – didn’t waste any time making his mark.
He punctuated a scalding run by Corey Baird down the left wing and cross to the top of the box to Eric Verso, who then played through to Morris for the opening goal at the 1:27 mark.
Morris, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, then doubled Stanford’s lead more than five minutes into the second half on a back-post finish off a through ball from Baird, a product of Real Salt Lake's academy.
Stanford added on in the 71st minute after Morris drew a penalty kick, with a Brandon Vincent goal from the spot. The margin was four when Eric Verso, a product of the LA Galaxy academy, converted a run from midfield with a right-footed finish from the top of the box.
Clemson, meanwhile, were unable to find footing in the attack, firing off 11 shots but putting just one on goal.
