Saturday night at Lumen Field wasn't about three points. It was about legacy. It was about a kid who used to dream about wearing the Seattle Sounders jersey as a kid and years later became the Sounders' all-time leading scorer. At 30, Jordan Morris etched his own place in the record books when he netted his 87th for the Sounders, becoming none other than the guy in front of him on that list: Raúl Ruidíaz.
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The milestone came in fashion, a goal in a 5-2 win over LAFC, a direct rival. But for Morris, it was not only a number. It was the culmination of something more. As he explained after the match: "It means everything. I've said this for a long time. I live to score goals; that's what I want to do and provide for the team."
A unique moment, in the proper location
Had there ever been a better way to accomplish this record, it was at Lumen Field. Morris had already indicated that he would prefer to set this record at home, in front of his fans, near those that had been by his side since his earliest steps on the soccer field.
"Being a hometown kid, a kid who was raised in the academy, a team zealot and sitting in the stands as a team zealot, knowing I had wanted to be on this field one day, now having my name in the history books like this is such an honor to do it in front of my family."
The supporters who saw him develop from the Sounders academy now consider him the club's greatest all-time scorer.
The victory that could change the course of the season
Aside from the history penned by Morris, the match featured another highlight, a Seattle Sounders side which showed attacking quality. Five goals, complete control of LAFC, and the victory that could be a game-changer.
The winning scoreline also held special significance, as it was the first goal by Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, a Tacoma Defiance youngster and the Sounders' MLS NEXT Pro affiliate. Paul Rothrock, another homegrown talent, also scored. This evening was not just about a veteran achieving history, but the young hopes and prospects also living up to their potential.
Head coach Brian Schmetzer didn’t hide his satisfaction: "Yeah, it feels great, but our record against [LAFC] is still 4W-9L-4D, so we’ve still got work to do. But days like today, we’re definitely going to enjoy the moment. That locker room is extremely happy for a lot of reasons."
Next challenge
The outcome arrives at a pivotal time. The Sounders now shift their attention to the Concacaf Champions Cup game against Cruz Azul on Tuesday. The first leg was a scoreless tie, with everything left on the table, and Seattle must match the intensity displayed against LAFC in order to move forward.
There remains an issue with Pedro de la Vega, who was compelled to leave Saturday's match with a quadriceps strain and will miss the important game. In any event, the Sounders now have more than a victory to celebrate. They have a symbol, a player who represents the connection between the club's past, present, and future.