SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Jordan Morris’ hot streak continues in Sounders’ 1-0 win

Apr 30, 2016, 3:11 PM | Updated: May 1, 2016, 3:26 pm

Jordan Morris will be joined by Sounders teammate Aaron Kovar in the MLS Homegrown Game. (AP)...

Jordan Morris will be joined by Sounders teammate Aaron Kovar in the MLS Homegrown Game. (AP)

(AP)

Fans hold a sign that reads "Fruit Snacks + 13 = Goals" in reference to Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris following an MLS soccer match between the Sounders and the Columbus Crew, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. Morris had the winning goal as the Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders' Chad Marshall, right, gets the ball past Columbus Crew's Kei Kamara, left, in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Columbus Crew's Federico Higuain reacts after he missed a shot on goal in the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris makes a shot on goal against the Columbus Crew in the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris, left, Zach Scott, center, and Columbus Crew's Kei Kamara, right, go for a header in the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, second from left, leaps for the ball in the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders players, including goalkeeper Stefan Frei, center, celebrate after the Sounders beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 in an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) With Columbus Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark sitting near the goal line at right, Seattle Sounders' Nelson Valdez, third from right, and Joevin Jones, third from left, run past Columbus Crew's Michael Parkhurst, second from left, and Tyson Wahl, second from right, as they celebrate a goal scored by Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris, not shown, in the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris, right, and Oalex Anderson, left, celebrate after Morris scored the winning goal against the Columbus Crew in the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Columbus Crew's Kei Kamara, center, leaps high to head the ball away from the goal as Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark, third from left, and Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, left, look on in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, second from left, and Columbus Crew's Ethan Finlay, left, go for the ball as Sounders' Chad Marshall, right, jumps behind them, in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Columbus Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark, right, eyes the ball as he makes a save in the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Columbus Crew's Kei Kamara, right, is fouled by Seattle Sounders' Osvaldo Alonso, left, in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The Sounders returned for the first of two matches in a row at CenturyLink Field on Saturday afternoon, where they chalked up a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew on Jordan Morris’ late goal.

Seattle’s lineup had a few changes to the starting lineup that few expected: Herculez Gomez and Aaron Kovar started, with injury returners (possibly not at full fitness) Erik Friberg and Nelson Valdez starting on the bench. Recent starter Oalex Anderson also started the match on the bench. Zach Scott came into the lineup, replacing the suspended Brad Evans as captain and central defender. Columbus brought in a pretty strong squad, with in-form striker Kei Kamara and midfielder Federico Higuain both starting.

The first half was exciting from both teams, with plenty of chances and attacking buildup. But the shooting was equally poor from both teams, with a number of players fluffing huge opportunities to keep the score at 0-0 at halftime. Morris and Gomez both had good opportunities, with excellent support from Cristian Roldan and Aaron Kovar. Stefan Frei had a handful of solid saves, including an outstanding one with his feet to deny Federico Higuain.

The second half was a similar affair, though the Sounders controlled the match more than in the first. They came close a few times, but not too much happened of note. Friberg, Valdez, and Anderson came on for Kovar, Dempsey, and Gomez respectively. It was those changes that helped initiate the Sounders’ late goal through Morris, after hard work from Jones and Anderson near the six-yard box.

Man of the match: Gotta be Jordan Morris, who worked hard for 90+ minutes that finally paid off to continue his hot streak.

Turning point: The introductions of Friberg and Anderson, who helped combine for the goal. After Friberg came into the match, the Sounders controlled possession and had far more dangerous chances.

One reason to worry: The Sounders’ finishing as a whole was pretty woeful all match, and should have had a few more goals.

One reason to be relax: Morris is absolutely on fire, and is starting to silence many of his detractors.

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