Everything changed in an instant.
At the beginning of 2018, Jordan Morris was eager to return to top form after a frustrating, injury-bitten sophomore campaign. He had burst onto the professional scene in 2016, winning MLS Rookie of the Year honors and helping the Sounders win their first MLS Cup. Finally healthy after battling ankle and hamstring injuries, Morris’ confidence was restored going into the 2018 season.
“I felt really refreshed, really good. I was feeling like I was ready to get back to my form with the Sounders,” Morris said. “That’s the toughest part – I really felt like I was ready to have a big year and hopefully contribute to winning another championship.”
On February 22, during a CONCACAF Champions League match against Santa Tecla FC in El Salvador, Morris crumbled onto the pitch holding his right leg while making a run. He knew immediately that something was wrong. His father, Dr. Michael Morris, the team physician, confirmed Jordan’s fears: a torn ACL. His season was over just as it began.
Jordan Morris is helped off the pitch by Director of Sports Medicine & Athletic Trainer Chris Cornish (left) and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Morris (right) | Photo by Mike Fiechtner
For the first time since the devastating injury, Morris opened up to SoundersFC.com for an exclusive video series on his recovery. The first video of the four-part series was released on Wednesday, which focuses on the moment he suffered the worst injury of his career.
“It’s an interesting dynamic having my dad as the team doctor because I almost felt bad for him that he had to be the one who had to tell me [the severity of the injury],” Morris said. “I remember the team coming back in the locker room and some of the guys coming up and saying things to me, and I'm sitting there crying because I knew how long it was going to be, how tough of a process it was going to be."
From emotional phone calls with his family from a hotel in El Salvador to a miserable eight-hour flight home, Morris knew that was just the beginning of the long road to recovery.
“I already knew it’s a long season, but when you’re sitting on the sideline, it’s even longer,” Morris said. “I don’t do well sitting on the sideline. I always want to be playing, helping my team win and scoring goals.”
WATCH: Episode 1, "The Injury"
