Seattle Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer pleased for Jordan Morris after USMNT goal

For the first time since November 2019, Jordan Morris is a goalscorer at international level.

The Seattle Sounders forward last found the net for the USMNT with a brace against Cuba during a Concacaf Nations League clash on November 10, 2019 - the end of a run in which he scored five goals and assisted another four in five caps.

Since then, Morris has suffered and recovered from a Cruciate Ligament rupture that abruptly ended a promising loan spell with Swansea City in the English Championship - the second injury of that nature he's suffered.

Morris has slowly but surely been regaining fitness and having once again become a key cog for the Sounders, fully announced his international return with a 91st-minute Nations League equalizer against El Salvador on Tuesday in his ninth cap since recovery.

"You know, I'm a goal-scorer, and so that's obviously what you live on," a relieved Morris told reporters postgame. "For me it had been a long time with the national team since my last goal, going through the COVID year in 2020, where we didn’t play any games. Then coming back and being out all of ‘21 with my injury, it had been since 2019 since I scored a goal with the national team. So it’s definitely been a little bit of a wait there, a little too long for my liking of course."

While Morris was away on international duty, his Seattle Sounders side were busy dismantling Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0 at Lumen Field thanks to goals from Nico Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz (x2), and Alex Roldan.

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer was understandably distracted, but did manage to catch a replay of Morris' late header and was pleased to see him score for his country given the 'heartbreak' he's suffered across his career.

"It's good for Jordan to score, goal-scorers like to have that little bit of momentum, but he'll be fine when he comes back," Schmetzer said. "He's been a great player for us and sometimes the heartache, the success, national team, club, it does all fit together with the players.

"But I think they're all smart enough to understand that there are certain differences between the two entities. So Jordan knows he's from Seattle, Mercer Island, it's a great storyline for us. He works hard for us all the time. He works hard for the national team. Tonight I'll watch the highlights, good for him."

Morris will return to action with the Sounders on Saturday with a home clash against Supporters' Shield leaders Los Angeles FC.