SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris has been voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week for the first week of the 2019 MLS season. Morris recorded two goals in a 4-1 season-opening win over FC Cincinnati on Saturday at CenturyLink Field, in his first competitive action in over a calendar year. Morris missed the entire 2018 season after suffering a right ACL tear in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League first leg at Santa Tecla FC on February 22, 2018.
With the scored tied 1-1 in the 33rd minute, Seattle took the lead with Morris' first goal since August of 2017. Nicolás Lodeiro found Morris with a through ball on the left side of the area, and the Mercer Island native cut inside to his right foot and put a low shot past goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń and inside the far post.
He completed his brace 10 minutes later, giving him his first multi-goal game since September of 2016. Lodeiro again initiated the attack, playing VÃctor RodrÃguez for a long run down the left flank. The Spaniard sent a low cross to the far side of the 18-yard-box, where Morris pounced with a first-time strike of his left boot.
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
Sounders FC continues its two-match home stint to start the season next Saturday when it hosts the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
