“Best Soccer in My Career”: Jordan Morris Eyes USMNT World Cup

At 29, Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris has experienced the highs and lows of professional soccer, but he’s far from finished. Currently in the midst of a career-best season, Morris is eyeing a spot on the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) 2026 World Cup roster, while also pushing back against critics who undervalue his accomplishments in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Proud of His MLS Journey

With two MLS Cups and 66 goals in 192 league appearances, Morris has firmly established himself as a star for his hometown club, Seattle Sounders. He also believes that MLS is often unfairly criticized: “I think people doubt the level of MLS and need to kind of change their mindset… It’s a tough league, and you see the players coming in; I think it deserves a lot more respect than it gets,” Morris told GOAL.

He credits the growth of MLS and the increasing talent level for making it a challenging and competitive environment, one that has helped him develop into the player he is today. “It’s a difficult league to play in, and I think it deserves a lot more respect because it’s growing,” he added.

Chasing World Cup Dreams

As Morris continues his standout year, with 17 goals in 37 overall appearances—his personal best—he is motivated to earn a spot on the USMNT squad for the 2026 World Cup. “I feel like I’m pretty much playing some of the best soccer in my career right now,” he said. Despite the fierce competition for places on the national team, Morris remains undeterred in his pursuit. “The goal is to for sure get back, to try to be part of the World Cup team. I’m always pushing to be a part of that group.”

Morris knows that the journey won’t be easy given the high quality of players competing for USMNT spots. However, he’s driven to keep scoring goals and improving his game to make a compelling case for inclusion. “I’ll always keep pushing it… It’s what motivates me to keep going, keep scoring goals, to try to get back to being part of that group.”

More Than Just Soccer: Family and Future Ambitions

Off the pitch, Morris’s main focus is his family, especially as a new dad. Balancing personal life and professional ambition, he’s also keeping open the possibility of a future stint in Europe, a move that could further add to his already accomplished career.