Jordan Morris has set the MLS alight with his formidable performances as a center-forward for the Seattle Sounders in the 2023 season. His switch from the wing to the No. 9 position has been instrumental in his scoring spree of five goals in the last two weeks, stepping up to cover for his absent fellow forwards, Ruidíaz and Héber. His outstanding form has raised questions about his future role both at his club and for the USMNT. Our analysis will identify the factors that have enabled Jordan Morris to achieve record-breaking numbers and answer the question on everyone's minds: Is it luck or greatness?
Before reading this article, I would love to know your initial thoughts in the comment section. Now, let's explore the tactics behind Morris' success.
Position change
Jordan Morris has been a key player for the Seattle Sounders since his debut in 2016, predominantly playing as a winger. His pace and dribbling abilities have always been a threat to opposing defenses. In the 2023 season, Morris has been deployed as a striker and this tactical shift has proven successful for the Sounders.
Morris may not appear to be a prototypical striker at first glance, lacking the towering height and brute strength of other top forwards. However, Morris has demonstrated that he has the instincts and finishing ability to excel in the center forward position. His speed remains one of his greatest strengths, allowing him to make runs in behind the defense and get on the end of through balls. Morris' finishing ability has also been on full display this season, scoring impressive goals from a variety of angles with his head and right foot.
His move to the center forward position has been a masterstroke by Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer. Morris' skill set has allowed him to excel in this position, quickly establishing himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. His speed, finishing ability, and hold-up play have all been vital factors in the Sounders' success this season. His form suggests that he will undoubtedly continue to pose a significant threat to opposing defenses.
Goal-scoring stats
During this season, Morris has played four games on the wing and two games as a center-forward. Although he has three goals during his time as a winger, the nature of those goals is similar to those of a striker. His average distance to goal on his shots this season is 10.9 meters, and he’s scored all eight within 14 meters. His move to the center forward position has allowed him to showcase his strengths, resulting in an impressive four goal game against Sporting Kansas city and adding another against LA Galaxy.
Historically, Morris has played predominantly on the right or left wing in a 4-3-3 formation for the USMNT. Morris has six goals and six assists in these positions, but four of those goal contributions came in two matches - 7:0 vs Cuba and 6:0 vs Trinidad & Tobago. Even if we remove these two matches from the analysis, Morris still comes out as more productive per match at the right or left wing.
At the center-forward position Morris has accumulated four goals and one assist, but hasn’t played there as often or against the lower levels of CONCACAF competition.
We also can’t use his knee injuries as an excuse for his recent performances, as four of his best performances for the National Team were after 2018 when he suffered his first ACL tear.
Leading the pack
Jordan Morris is not only generating the most chances through his actions and movement but is finishing a significantly higher percentage of his chances than anyone else in the league. If we look globally at players that show up where Morris does in terms of chances generated through xG and goals, we see names like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Federico Valverde, and Kylian Mbappe. These players are outperforming their peers in their respective leagues at the same level that Morris is performing in Major League Soccer. It's worth noting that this does not mean Morris is of the same caliber as these players, but in relation to his MLS contemporaries, he is performing similarly to the best in the world.
Is it the Seattle Sounders?
Schmetzer sets his teams up in an attacking 4231 that needs to be spearheaded by someone that will stretch the line and occupy the center-backs. Jordan Morris is likely third on the depth chart in this respect but with the injury to Heber and international duty of Peruvian star Raul Ruidiaz he got his chance to keep Seattle afloat. In those two matches alone Morris has five goals and the Sounders defeated SKC and LAG.
Credit should also be given to Léo Chú, the Brazilian U22 initiative player on the left side of the attack. His impressive ability to beat fullbacks and draw the attention of the closest center-back has created space for Morris to exploit. Without Chú's contribution, Morris might not be leading the golden boot race.
How has Morris been so successful in his new role?
In addition to his elite speed, Morris has developed a keen sense of attacking movement, drifting out of defender zones and creating space for himself. If you watch the game film, you'll see how he intelligently positions himself behind defenders, ready to pounce on crosses and take advantage of any gaps in the defense. Critics may point to the average distance of his shots, but his ability to repeatedly get into such positions requires exceptional movement skills.
Luck or greatness?
Some might argue that Morris' success is simply a matter of luck, but statistically speaking, he is well-deserving of his place at the top of the goal-scoring charts. His movement, positioning, and speed have consistently created chances for him to finish. At the same time though he should not be leading the other goalscorers by such a wide margin, and even though he is finishing those chances, statistical laws would indicate at some point Jordan Morris will come back down to earth and cool off.
I'm just here for the agita of USMNT fans who dislike him/MLS.
Morris is what they call in baseball a 4A player - better than AAA but fails in the majors..