Jordan Morris is thrilled to be back with the United States Men’s National Team for the first time in almost a year.
Morris and Sounders teammate Cristian Roldan recently joined up with the Stars & Stripes for a joint U-23 USMNT and senior USMNT camp in Bradenton, Fla., as the U.S. Program prepares for a jam-packed schedule in 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks Morris’ first involvement since the same camp at the beginning of 2020.
“It’s just amazing to be back in the team with the guys and back at it because we know this is a massive year ahead, both for the [U-23] Olympic team and the full team,” said Morris. “There’s a lot going on, a lot of big competitions, so it’s good to be back and start off a big year.”
Morris, who was named as a finalist for U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year in 2020, figures to feature heavily for the USMNT in 2021 as the program faces Olympic qualifying, World Cup qualifying and the Concacaf Gold Cup.
After earning his first national team call-up as a 20-year-old college student, Morris, 26, now finds himself as one of the most veteran players in the program, with 10 goals and eight assists from 39 caps. According to Seattle’s star winger, one of his main objectives for the current camp is to take on more of a leadership role help and integrate the young prospects in the player pool.
“I think it’s good to get both groups together,” added Morris. “A big goal of this camp for us as senior players is helping the Olympic team get ready as well because it’s a big competition coming up.
“I know when I was coming up as a younger player, having the veteran guys in camp and being able to learn from them was super important. So, we’re hopeful that we can do the same for the younger group that’s here.”
Following Jan. 24, several of the top performers from the U-23 side will be promoted to the full USMNT for a friendly match at the end of the month.
