Jordan Morris has a 'lucrative' contract offer from Sounders

It's probably still too early to be pencilling Jordan Morris into the Seattle Sounders starting lineup, but the Seattle Sounders have reportedly taken the next logical step in signing their Homegrown Player. Coming off Morris' starring performance for the United States national team against arch-rival Mexico, Grant Wahl is reporting the Sounders have made their first written contract offer. Wahl even calls it "one of the most lucrative offers ever for an MLS homegrown player."

Of course, the report also suggests that even though the Sounders are confident Morris will eventually sign with them -- as the player has repeatedly stated -- they don't think he'll be signing before the 2016 season. Morris has also told reporters that he intends to not only finish his sophomore year, but that he intends to play for the Cardinal in 2016. With the college season ending in mid-December, that would still give Morris plenty of time to be with the Sounders at the start of the 2016 campaign.

None of this should come as much of a surprise to anyone who's been following this story. The Sounders have been singing Morris' praises before he burst onto the national scene by scoring 27 goals in 28 academy games while earning the 2013 USSDA Player of the Year. Until now, though, their pursuit has mostly been verbal, effectively telling the Mercer Island product that they were ready whenever he was. Even if the Sounders don't fully expect Morris to accept this offer, they can at least say they are doing everything possible to get him under contract.

In the meantime, Morris is with the United States U-23 team as they prepare to take on Mexico in a Wednesday night friendly.