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American soccer news is about to explode. The holidays are over, the SuperDraft is a couple weeks away and Jordan Morris' decision whether to remain at Stanford or turn pro is imminent. The Seattle Sounders Academy product has certain academic deadlines today that make Ives Galarcep's report that he's made his decision almost certainly true.
The U.S. national team forward and Stanford University star will forego his senior season to turn pro, multiple sources confirmed to Goal USA. Morris is in negotiations with the Seattle Sounders on a contract that will make him the highest-paid homegrown player in MLS history.
Ives says that Morris turned down opportunities to sign with a German team in order to play for his hometown club. His father is the team doctor and worked in that role while the team was in the USL as well. Morris attended practices and matches back when Schmetzer was coaching Scott, Levesque and Graham to lower level titles.
Since the chase has lasted nearly two years this may seem like just another rumor, but January 4th is the first day of classes at Stanford. Plus if Jordan is going to take a formal leave of absence from the school, the 4th is also that deadline.
All past indications are that Morris wants a Stanford degree, so the leave of absence process will be part of his process. There is little more that he could accomplish as a Stanford soccer player. In 2015 he won the NCAA title and is one of three finalists for the Hermann Trophy as the best men's college player in the USA.
Jordan will probably be in the United States National Team camp that opens on January 10th. That camp will be a combination of senior team players and hopeful Olympians, almost all from MLS. Sounders training starts on the 22nd. While playing mostly as a forward, he has a bit of experience as a wide player too.