Jordan Morris Elects to Remain at Stanford University

Sophomore forward Jordan Morris will remain at Stanford instead of signing with the Seattle Sounders. Morris has been apart of the Sounders youth setup since 2012 and will still remain eligible to sign a homegrown deal with the Sounders. Stanford confirmed to SBI Soccer that Morris will return to the school for his junior year.

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The 20-year-old forward from Mercer Island, Washington issued a statement following his decision.

"“After much thought and discussion with my family and coaches, I have decided to continue my education at Stanford and will return to The Farm for my junior year,” Morris said in a statement. “My teammates, coaches, professors and peers make Stanford a special place. Here I am provided the unique opportunity to both play the game I love and learn at one of the world’s great universities.“Playing professionally is a dream of mine and I feel that Stanford will prepare me extremely well to realize that goal, but also for life after soccer. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to represent this university both on and off the field and look forward to working with my teammates to make our 2015 season a success.”Live Feed Seattle SoundersLéo Chú's Red Card Costs Seattle Sounders in Controversial Draw with Portland TimbersMLS MultiplexMLS Elevates International Standing with September Call-UpsMLS MultiplexCheck out the games for this MLS comebackMLS MultiplexPaul Rothrock: Meteoric Rise of a Local Promise to Stardom in the Seattle SoundersMLS MultiplexClint Dempsey: The Indelible Legacy at the Seattle SoundersMLS MultiplexUnique Vibes: The Intense Passion of Seattle Sounders FansMLS Multiplex"

Morris made headlines when he received a call-up to the USMNT in August. He was the first college soccer player to be called-up to the USMNT since Chris Albright in 1999. The Cardinal forward earned his first national team cap in the team’s 4-1 loss to Ireland in November.

It is good to see that Morris is deciding on his own terms about his soccer career future. Too often, coaches persuade players to make a certain choice when it isn’t the right move to make. No matter the choice Morris made, it made sense. He’s one of the up and coming young soccer players on the national team and MLS radar. He would have possibly been a boost to the Seattle Sounders on their USL PRO squad in 2015, but there’s no rush for Morris to make the jump to MLS and sign a homegrown deal. He can play his entire Junior year at Stanford and then make the next path in his career.

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Morris understands his soccer goals and that includes playing professionally. By staying at Stanford, he doesn’t alter that dream. Another year at the collegiate level will help him develop further on and off the field and become an even better player. Likewise, remaining at Stanford doesn’t affect his USMNT stock or the respect level from Jurgen Klinsmann. After another season at Stanford, don’t be surprised to see him sign a homegrown deal. As a Sophomore college player, there was no rush for Morris to make the jump.

All in all, Morris made the right decision because he did it on his terms and that should ultimately be respected. Money or the persuasion of a national team coach didn’t affect the choice he made. No matter his choice Morris needed to be happy and love where he was at and he did just that with this decision. Don’t worry USMNT fans Morris will still be on the USMNT radar during his junior year and beyond as long as he keeps playing at his current level.