RENTON – The return of Cristian Roldan likely provides the Seattle Sounders with their biggest potential boost when it comes to making the playoffs. But simply making the playoffs has never been how the Sounders judge a successful season. Ever since the Sounders entered MLS in 2009, they’ve judged success by how well they compete for trophies.
In that sense, Jordan Morris’ ability to return to the form that made him a Designated Player may be the most important variable.
Morris has played just three games since the World Cup break, only recently came back from an injury that forced him to miss eight straight matches and has been limited to just 10 starts this season. His 45-minute performance against Red Bull New York was arguably the first time he’s really looked like himself since April.
Morris was repeatedly able to stretch the defense with runs in behind and had a couple of truly electric moments when he was able to break into the open field. The highlight came in the 42nd minute when he won a ball in the defensive end, touched it around a defender and then outraced speedy right back Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty to create a 1v1 chance with Red Bull goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. Morris’ left-footed attempt was saved, but it showed that the forward still has some of the raw speed that has been his trademark throughout his career.
Although Morris came out at halftime due to a minutes restriction, it marked the first time since May 24 that he left a match without an injury.
“It’s hard to build rhythm, confidence when you’re in and out,” Morris said at training this week. “Confidence is a big part of it, feeling free and good in your body is a big part of it. To have a performance like that where I could get to my top speed gives me a lot of confidence going forward. That felt like the old me, which I haven’t felt in awhile. Hopefully I can build on that and help the team win games.”
Helpful as it would be for Morris to start scoring again, his presence can be helpful in other ways, too. Morris both stretches defenses with his speed and is able to provide hold-up play that helps the Sounders in the buildup. He also is an effective presser, which would allow Albert Rusnák to drop into a more comfortable position in the middle of a bank of four.
Morris remains on a minutes restriction, but Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said he’s giving the forward a bit more freedom against the LA Galaxy on Saturday.
“There’s some frustration because he feels he’s such an integral part of the team and this club,” Schmetzer said. “He always wants to do more. Managing expectations with Jordan, and then letting him go … like I’m going to let him go. It’s a big field down there, and you saw what he did against New York Red Bull.
“I’m hoping that everything’s coming together for him because we need him to perform well.”
Finally, good injury news
A few days after Schmetzer ruled Kalani Kossa-Rienzi out for “2–3 weeks” with a sprained ankle, the right back was a full participant in training and appears to be in line to start against the Galaxy.
“He looks really good and is going to be available to play,” Schmetzer said.
Also a somewhat surprising participant in training was Jackson Ragen, who hyper-extended his knee and had a small bone fracture that has forced him to miss the last three games. The original diagnosis suggested that he might be out until October, but Schmetzer said they now hope to have Ragen back for either the Colorado Rapids match on Sept. 19 or the Real Salt Lake match on Sept. 23.
Next in line to return appears to be Yeimar Gomez Andrade, who Schmetzer said was a week or two behind Ragen.
