Jordan Morris headlines MLS Rookie of the Year nominees
Major League Soccer has announced its best newcomers of the 2016 campaign, with New York City FC's Jack Harrison, Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris, and Philadelphia Union's Keegan Rosenberry battling it out for Rookie of the Year.
The coveted award, collected by Orlando City's Canadian forward Cyle Larin last term, would appear to have Morris as its odds-on favorite to win. The 22-year-old Stanford graduate helped remedy the loss of Obafemi Martins to the Chinese Super League and Clint Dempsey to an irregular heartbeat, and fire the Sounders into the postseason with 12 goals and four assists.
Despite the expectation surrounding his induction into the Western Conference, given his natural technical ability, pace, and knack of finding the back of the net, Morris overcame some initial indifferent form to shoulder much of Seattle's attacking emphasis.
But in Harrison and Rosenberry, Morris does have some worthy challengers for the Rookie crown.
Harrison, a former Manchester United academy player, has added industry and trickery to NYCFC's strike force, scoring four times, assisting on seven occasions, and undoubtedly playing a huge part in David Villa's Most Valuable Player nomination.
A huge win for the defenders' union - players behind attacking midfielders and strikers are often overlooked in end-of-year awards - Rosenberry rounds off this year's Rookie of the Year hopefuls. The 22-year-old full-back made his first strides in the game in college soccer at Georgetown University and with Reading United of the Premier Development League. He was selected third in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, and fit seamlessly into Jim Curtin's plans at the nearby Philadelphia Union.
The winner of 2016's prize will be announced on Nov. 11.