U.S. Soccer on Wednesday named Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris as one of six finalists for 2020 Male Player of the Year. Morris’ attacking counterpart in MLS Cup on Saturday, Columbus Crew’s Gyasi Zardes, is the only other MLS-based player to make the final six for Male Player of the Year. Other finalists include RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams, FC Barcelona’s Sergiño Dest, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Chelsea FC’s Christian Pulisic.
With the number of USMNT games severely limited in 2020 due to COVID-19, performances at the club level took on increased prominence in determining the finalists for Male Player of the Year.
Morris had his best season as a professional in 2020, scoring 10 goals an adding eight assists en route to a Landon Donovan MLS MVP award nomination, as well as his first MLS Best XI nod. The Mercer Island, Wash., native will look to give his hometown club its third MLS Cup in five years when the Sounders take on Crew SC on Saturday (5:30 p.m. PT; FOX, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
Morris did not feature for the U.S. this year, but was a part of January camp before departing early for the start of Seattle’s Concacaf Champions League campaign. This is his third nomination for U.S. Male Player of the Year, after previously being up for the award in 2017 and 2019.
Morris has 10 goals and eight assists in 39 caps for the United States. His most recent cap came on Nov. 11, 2019, when he recorded a brace in a 4-0 win over Cuba in Concacaf Nations League play.
