UPDATE (Feb. 22, 6:40 pm ET): Jordan Morris will return to the United States to have surgery on the serious knee injury he suffered while on loan at Swansea City, Seattle Sounders announced Monday. Swansea had earlier confirmed that the player would miss the remainder of the Championship season.
Morris will have surgery in Santa Monica, California, with Dr. Bert Mandelbaum.
“First and foremost, we have been in touch with Jordan and he has our full support during this difficult time for him and his family. It’s important to us that he get the best care possible, as well as the most comfortable environment to recover,” said Sounders general manager & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey in a team release. “Having gone through this before in 2018, seeing Jordan suffer another injury of this nature makes it equally devastating and hopeful. We know first-hand the resilience of his character and look forward to the day he steps on the soccer field again. In the meantime, we’re focused on welcoming him home and making sure he has the full support of our club.”
UPDATE (Feb. 22, 9 am ET): The worst fears about Jordan Morris' injury Saturday were confirmed by Swansea City manager Steve Cooper, who said the Seattle Sounders and US men's national team forward suffered ligament damage to his ACL and will be out for the remainder of the Championship season.
"He's had a bad injury unfortunately for him. It's significant ligament damage, ACL. Everything we hoped it wasn't, unfortunately it is," Cooper said on Monday. "It’s the end of his season for us and a long road back to recovery, it’s very cruel."
Cooper added that it has not yet been determined whether Morris' recovery will take place at Swansea or back in Seattle.
Jordan Morris has suffered an injury setback while on loan at English Championship side Swansea City, departing their 4-1 loss Saturday against Huddersfield Town with an apparent left leg injury.
The exact extent of the Seattle Sounders and US men’s national team forward’s condition wasn’t immediately known, though he exited the match on a stretcher and with his left leg in a brace. Morris had subbed on at halftime, then departed 20 minutes later.
After the game, Swansea City manager Steve Cooper said it "doesn't look good" and they'll hope to know more soon. Morris was in a knee brace and on crutches afterwards.
On Jan. 22, Morris joined the Wales-based club on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. This was his fifth appearance for the promotion-chasing side, who also strengthened their squad this winter transfer window by acquiring D.C. United and USMNT midfielder Paul Arriola on loan. Swansea City are fourth in the Championship standings, which would give them a spot in the four-team promotion playoff.
Morris, 26, previously missed the 2018 season with Seattle, tearing his ACL during a Concacaf Champions League match before that year’s MLS schedule began. He reached peak levels upon his return, earning the MLS Comeback of the Year award in 2019 and MLS Best XI honors in 2020.
Looking to impress in Europe, Morris would likely play a key role in the USMNT’s busy 2021 calendar year. Before heading overseas, the homegrown forward had 35 goals and 20 assists in 105 matches for Seattle.
