If JMo comes back healthy and firing on all cylinders this deal well look like a bargin in 3 years time. If he doesn't then he doesn't get the option years + incentives.
Dempsey's had a bunch of ads. For a short while, I saw him in more ads than Donovan. That hasn't lasted.
Read some of the posts - pretty comical how clueless some are. Eddiie Johnson - man among boys at U17, athlete, no soccer brain, poor attitude. Scored in double figures 3 times in 10 MLS seasons with a career high that is only 3 higher than Morris. Ironically scored 12 goals about the same age Morris scored 12 goals - only in a league that featured a best XI midfield featuring such stars as Kerry Zavagnin, Ronnie Nelson and Eddie Gavin - yet still was supposedly a $5 Million transfer target. Went to England and showed he was a bench level championship League level player. Morris was somewhat of a later bloomer - barely played for the U20s, was a dominant U23 player and still one of the best hopes for the full national team forward pool. More explosive athlete, order of magnitude more professional and a far better soccer brain. Big deficiency is probably most one footed high level player I can recall. Can't think of another that would routinely contort his body to cross with the outside of his right foot than hit a simple ball with his left. Anyone want to bet Morris improves his left a lot more the Johnson improved his attitude? Why in the world would Seattle agree to a back loaded, incentive laden 3 year contract that supposedly averages to about $1 million a year over 5? Lets see: 1) Average pay for the 41 double digit scorers $1.5M; Number less than $500K - 8 including two sub $100K (Salloi and Burke); 20 non-Defenders/ DM making over $1M that didn't make it to double figures. 2) The local face of the team - overpaid Keller and Dempsey for the same 3) Home grown which carries roster protection and other benefits 4) Had been rapidly developing ( 1 year of academy, 3 years playing an extremely primitive kick and chase style of college ball). 5) Forward that doesn't cost them a green card How many don't think Morris will likely score at lease 10 next year? Salaries were much higher than 2 years ago, anyone want to bet salaries are going to head down? Basically risk the local face of the franchise walk mid-season or make a reasonable bet that he recovers. If Morris blows up, it would cost them a heck of a lot more. Bottom line is they paying the going or below for a guy that is likely to score double digits and face limited downside risk if they are wrong.
Uh....I don't think he will score 10 goals next year as he is coming off an ACL and will have been away from high level intense soccer for a year. Realistic expectations would be for him to remain healthy (he had hammy issues prior to the acl injury) and to try to get back to the athletic level he was previously at.
It is entirely possible to think Eddie Johnson had a point and that MLS may in fact favor certain players and still want said players to do well. They are separate issues, really. Regardless of the contract, I hope Morris comes back and further develops. When he first came on the scene, his combination of power and speed along with some decent ball skills (at least with his right foot) and his aggressiveness were extremely welcome and he showed an ability to make things happen. The US can always use another effective attacker so I certainly wish him well and hope he comes back stronger than before.
I thought the Morris hype died awhile ago. That's a big contract for such a one dimensional player. I don't think he would've succeeded in the Bundesliga. Technical ability not good enough. EJ makes a good point but then you keep reading his post and yeah, gets a little crazy. MLS now vs. then. I see him as a substitute/role player if he ever regains form. Our striker pool is weak. Hope y'all are ready for Jozy to return next year lol.
You're talking only about National team in this, right? If he returns and is healthy and shows signs of what he was, he will start for Seattle. I'd agree that he would be a role player for the US side, but hasn't that been what's he's been from the beginning? He will start if the matchup favors him in a starting role, or we're short on options.
The talk about always injured promising USNT striker makes me think, where is the world is Aron Johannsson, let see if Morris can do better on coming back from injury than Aron has. Edit: I guess he is still at Werder Bremer https://www.transfermarkt.com/aron-johannsson/profil/spieler/119169
The guy scored _three_ goals in over 1800 minutes in 2017, before his ACL injury, and people expect him to get double digits on his return? SMH.
If Morris hadn't turned down the chance to join Bremen, I wonder if folks would still have the perception of him being 1-dimensional etc. I like Morris' game a lot, personally.
Rumors of Turkish interest helped Zardes' reputation around here until it was clear he was going to stay in MLS, so I imagine Morris would still be seen as a promising young(ish) talent if he was on a German roster. Or at the very least he wouldn't be bashed for liking his dog.
ACL aren't the career death sentence they once were. As I recall, he was playing out of position on the wings with a next to useless Dempsey in the middle. I'd be surprised if he doesn't come close to double digits and put odds on much better than 50/50 that he does. What is your prediction? From the nats point of view if Berhalter can get Zardes to go from 2 goals to 19 goals, I think he can some use for the most athletic forward in the pool.
I posted the previous videos earlier in this thread. He now has 3 goals and an assist in 3 games to start the season.