Jordan Morris Back in Form for Sounders at Right Time

Jordan Morris had been dealt a tough hand these past two seasons.

The Seattle Sounders' all-time leading scorer played 34 games in 2024 before matching that total over nearly two complete seasons in 2025 and 2026. An AC joint separation last summer and multiple long injuries in 2026 have made the striker-turned-winger into an inconsistent presence for head coach Brian Schmetzer.

With reserve striker Danny Musovski bursting onto the scene last summer and star transfer Dejan Joveljić occupying the nine spot, Morris could've very well been phased out of the rotation.

But Schmetzer believed in what the veteran from Mercer Island still had to give, finding creative ways to insert him back into the lineup — the coach even benched a hot Musovski last summer to get Morris back on the pitch at striker after his shoulder injury.

Morris has, slowly, at times, paid Schmetzer's belief off with savvy moments inside the box and runs that stretch opposing lines. But small knocks have chipped away at his confidence, leading to performances that have fans in debate about his designated player salary being worth the hassle.

After all of that discourse, however, Morris has been able to string together his best stretch of games this season with Joveljić on international duty and Seattle's top winger options sidelined with injury. With Seattle (9-8-9, ninth in MLS Western Conference) fighting back into playoff positioning on a seven-game unbeaten streak, the advent of Joveljić, the sharp service of Albert Rusnák and the resurgence of Morris have taken center stage.