Skip to content

Klinsmann: Jordan Morris on 'huge learning curve,' but still in U.S. plans

Chris Nicoll / USA TODAY Sports

Jurgen Klinsmann appreciates that Jordan Morris is experiencing a "huge learning curve" in making his first steps in the professional game with the Seattle Sounders, and says the forward remains firmly in his plans for the U.S. national team.

The 21-year-old now has four professional appearances under his belt since leaving Stanford for Major League Soccer after a 2015 national championship triumph, but has struggled for form in that short spell.

Incredibly, the forward already has nine caps for his country despite his lack of experience, and continues to be regarded highly by Klinsmann.

"Jordan is going through a huge learning curve right now which is really cool," the German gaffer told a Facebook Q&A. "He started the first three games for the Sounders and then he was coming off the bench in the last game.

"Now for Jordan it's a game-by-game learning curve to really understand what the professional game demands. It's a lot more physical, it's a lot faster compared to what he was used to coming from the college system."

The lucrative move of Obafemi Martins from the Sounders to Shanghai Shenhua in February eased Morris' route into MLS first-team action, and despite his stuttering start in club football, Klinsmann backs him to soon settle and reach his potential.

"Jordan is a personality that learns very quickly, so obviously will watch him now and see how he gets his feet wet in MLS and how he's coming through," added Klinsmann. "We are very confident his learning curve will (progress) really fast and we definitely see him continuing to be a part of the senior national team."

Bobby Wood, Clint Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes, Jozy Altidore, and Chris Wondolowski were the forwards preferred ahead of Morris in the squad that faced Guatemala last month, but with friendlies preceding the Copa America Centenario this summer, there are plenty of opportunities for the Seattle native to win his place back.

Sigi Schmid's side welcome the Houston Dynamo to Washington state this Sunday.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox