To turn pro, or not to turn pro? That is the important question Jordan Morris has to answer.
The U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team forward ended his special year as an NCAA champion with Stanford, and while becoming a professional may seem like the obvious next step, Morris could easily return to the Cardinal for his senior season.
The 21-year-old striker has exploded onto the U.S. Soccer scene ever since making his debut senior team appearance against Ireland in 2014. He scored his first goal with the first team against rival Mexico in April, and has since played an important part in the U.S. Under-23’s Olympic qualifying run.
In November, the Seattle Sounders confirmed that they had offered Morris the largest Homegrown Player contract in the history of the league, and according to some reports, the deal is worth approximately $250,000-$300,000. His signature with the Sounders would make him the highest-paid rookie in MLS history.
During the broadcast of the College Cup final last Sunday, ESPN also reported that a Bundesliga club wants to ink a deal with Morris as well.
Should Morris make the decision to turn pro, there seems to be a handful of opportunities. To put the icing on the cake, if he left Stanford now, it would be as a champion.
However, Morris faced a similar scenario before, and when it came down to it, he opted to stay at Stanford.
“Playing professionally is a dream of mine and I feel that Stanford will prepare me extremely well to realize that goal, but also for life after soccer,” Morris said in a statement following his decision to return to college for his junior year. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to represent this university both on and off the field and look forward to working with my teammates to make our 2015 season a success.”
With all that in mind, SBI wants to know: Do you think Jordan Morris should turn pro?
Cast your vote here:
[polldaddy poll=9236935]
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What do you think Morris should do? Think another year with Stanford will be a bad decision? Where should he play if he does decide to turn pro?
Share your thoughts below?
Even a degree from Stanford most likely won’t make him 250k right out of college. He needs to take the money that’s on the table. There’s nothing to prove athletically in college anymore, and he can easily pay for his senior year himself if he wants to finish his degree.
He can finish his Stanford degree later with the millions of dollars he will make as a pro, but he can’t be a 21 year old learning at a professional soccer club ever again. This isn’t a difficult question.
He needs to do whatever makes him happy and forget about all us “experts” that “know” what is best for him.
He has real talent and should turn pro if he is really interested in Soccer. During the college cup, one of the Clemson players attempted a horrible sliding tackle on him. He was lucky not to get badly injured.
If he signs a professional contract, he will always have that money. If he does not and gets injured playing Soccer in college, well, opportunity lost.
Jordon Morris will have to decide.
At least a few MLB players have signed while Sophmores in college, got big signing bonuses, but not reported to their MLB team (or affiliate) full-time until after graduation. (Of course, they could not play in college after signing, but did play for minor league teams during the summer, May through Sept.) I don’t think MLS is likely to offer much for a part-time player and the European schedule does not mesh well with the US college year.
His situation is unique to him and it is a gamble no matter what he chooses. He could get injured and lose value to pro teams, he could have a great year and see his value go up. He might sign now and finish his degree later after a long (or short) career in pro soccer.
It is likely that he would be a better player in a year if he trains full-time and not limited to the time the NCAA permits. Also, in a year with MLS, he will be in a situation where he faces better players daily.
MLB doesn’t permit what you’re saying happens. In MLB, generally speaking, US players (foreign players are not subject to the draft) can be drafted and sign with the team that drafts them out of HS. If they choose to attend a four year college however, they cannot re-enter the draft until after their junior year. Once they sign, they can’t play minor leagues and maintain college eligibility.
Dennis,
You have NO idea what you are talking about. Everything you wrote is blatantly wrong and made up concerning baseball. Slow is dead right.
If chooses to stay in school, Stanford should ask him to leave because he clearly doesn’t have the intelligence and decision making that Stanford expects from its students.
Finish your degree man, you know how many people would kill to be able to get a free education from Stanford (I’m assuming he’s on a scholarship)? Don’t bite the hand that’s fed you for three years, pretty sure no one had heard of Jordan Morris until he became a standout playing in college.
Way more people would kill to be a pro soccer player.
This shouldn’t even be a question.
who on earth is voting for him to stay in school?
Abby Wambach, Landon Donovan, and Bruce Arena. They believe playing in college for four years gives him more of a “American Connection”.
Anywhere but Seattle
That’s a sweet pic 🙂
I think Morris should finish his degree at Stanford, and after that,if possible, sign a 2-3 year contract with a German or Dutch team, then return to the US for a stint in the MLS while pursuing his medical degree
Jordon is succeeding as a soccer player in spite of Stanford not because of it.
Full disclosure- I’m a former Stanford studen-athlete (Track and Field / Rugby)
I couldn’t disagree with you more. As a Stanford student-athlete he’s not only gotten into the USMNT rotation and contributed, but he’s also won an NCAA Championship, AND gotten a world class education. Our definitions of success may not necessarily align; but, that seems like a pretty successful tenure so far.
I do agree that now that he’s one a championship it could be the right time to test the waters!
I loved Stanford, but my parents weren’t big on me going to school cross-country. I ended going to a similar caliber school (Ivy League in the Northeast). I also ended playing rugby as well, but in grad school.
Morris would be a better soccer player had he been playing professionally these past few years. is a stand ford education meaningful? who cares from a soccer stand point.
Germany or Stanford. There is no other choice.
Another hater comment! You are one of those people that absolutely wants MLS to fail. It’s just sick! It’s one thing to not think of it highly, but you are way beyond that! Even if MLS becomes a Top 5 league, I am sure you will say “well, it still sucks and is not as good as EPL”
“Another hater comment! You are one of those people that absolutely wants MLS to fail.”
Where do you get that from? From his comment, one could easily assume that he thinks he could play at a higher level, which Germany is at the present time. Btw, I have no issue with him going to MLS. He just needs to go now if he wants to be the best prof he can be. He has 3 years in at Stanford, and can finish the last year part time.
he was ready last year, now he has the NCAA Championship (woo!-whatever). Plenty of professionals finish their last year of college remotely or later on, that’s easy.
I would say 98% chance of him playing for Seattle next year 1% chance a European team and 1% chance joining the Beta house as a late pledge.
Go to Germany, Jordan.