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Scouting Report: USMNT call-up Jordan Morris a bright spot in a frenetic college league

By on September 6, 2014

It was almost like rugby at some points; play hardly ever slowed, it was back and forth, and players had a split second on the ball. Especially on the smaller pitch at Stanford, play was hardly elegant. Jordan Morris’ appearance perfectly fit that bill. He may be only 5’11”, but weighing 185 pounds the Stanford sophomore is built like a rugby player. At first look he fits into Stanford’s match against San Jose State College tonight, but look closer and he is not only incredibly agile for his build, but has perfect balance and speed. And Morris is the first college player to be called up to the US Men’s national team in a long time.

Just last week he was in the Czech Republic with the USMNT, and the return to college level must be shocking for him. Everything was far to frenetic in the match, but Morris. Everybody had a split second to release the ball, not Morris – he created space for himself. Morris was undoubtedly the bright spot of the match, setting up Stanford’s first goal and scoring their second himself.

I didn’t have the pleasure of watching the USMNT train before this summer’s World Cup at Stanford, but it is almost a given that Jurgen Klinsmann had his men play Stanford. This is surely where Klinsmanm noticed Morris, and while the starlet was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, he deserves his big break. He has trained and played with the Seattle Sounders academy, and if he doesn’t join there, or at least any pro team after college, or even before he graduates from Stanford, it would be a waste of talent. He was named to the All-PAC 12 first team in 2013, and lead the conference freshmen in assists, and drew top in his goal tally.

His playing style is comparable to Wayne Rooney’s in the Englishman’s younger days, namely because he isn’t an out and out center forward. From what I’ve seen of him, he is best leading the attack and being a creative outlet, especially down the wings. Countless times he just breezed down the wing, as evident in his assist. Not only is Morris physically gifted, but sees the game really well, and knows exactly when to take it himself, release it, or lay it off. Morris wasn’t active on defense, an aspect of his game he obviously needs, but has time to improve, yet brilliant in the attack. Playing a low level college team is definitely different than playing in the pros and at the international level, but Morris is definitely one of, if not the best current college player there is. And already a sophomore, he seems ready to move on into higher levels of the game.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.