Report: Sounders’ Jordan Morris out much of season with ACL tear

By Jason Rantz, KTTH host

Homegrown Seattle Sounders star striker, Jordan Morris, will miss much of the 2018 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee, according to FOX Sports analyst Stuart Holden.

The injury was sustained in CONCACAF Champions League play last week in El Salvador in a 2-1 loss to Santa Tecla. The injury occurred in the 85th minute where, untouched, Morris fell to the ground in pain while running down the left flank. He was helped off the field without any pressure to his injured knee.

The Sounders have not confirmed the injury and say the 23-year-old Morris is still being assessed.

This is undoubtedly a blow to both the Sounders and Morris. He rightfully earned the 2016 rookie of the year award, but struggled in 2017 where he scored just three goals. His 2017 season ended prematurely with a hamstring injury in September, as the team again earned their way into the MLS Cup Final against Toronto.

Ready to take Morris’ place will likely be striker Will Bruin, who surprised many with his dominant performance in his first season as a Sounder. Federal Way’s Lamar Neagle, a fan favorite, was recently re-signed and will likely see more minutes as he backs up Bruin.

But this also could push the Sounders front-office into signing a new DP to replace Morris. The homegrown star was fast and dynamic, but with an entire year off due to injury, it might force the Sounders into a signing they otherwise may not have made.

Morris has been a shining star for the Sounders and the MLS. His community service work off the pitch has been inspiring, working with children living with the same type-1 Diabetes that Morris lives with. Last year, he announced his charitable organization, the Jordan Morris Foundation. And he’s been a leader in LGBTQ acceptance in the league and in the fan-base.

The Sounders season opener is on March 4 at CenturyLink against the new franchise, LAFC.