Wednesday was Jordan Morris’ chance to show himself for the U.S. Men’s National Team. He did just that while saving the USMNT from a humiliating result.
The Seattle Sounders forward fired a brace on Wednesday night, leading the way in a 3-2 win over Martinique in Tampa. Morris’ two goals doubled his USMNT tally while earning honors as SBI USMNT Man of the Match for Wednesday’s victory.
Morris missed out on a pair of early chances, but he proved clinical throughout the second half. His first goal came from his oft-criticized left foot as the forward tapped home an Eric Lichaj cross to give the USMNT a 2-0 lead. It evaporated rapidly as Martinique fought back to 2-2 before Morris fired the eventual game-winner. Just moments after the equalizing goal, Morris finished off a Gyasi Zardes cross to seal the win.
With his goals, Morris stood out in a big way while earning Man of the Match honors over the likes of Eric Lichaj, Kellyn Acosta and Omar Gonzalez.
Who was your USMNT Man of the Match? Which players stood out to you on Wednesday?
Share your thoughts below.
I thought Lichaj had a great game, but you cannot deny the guy who scored two including the game winner. Agudelo was active but could not finish, same with Zardes. Acosta has to learn how to be tougher in his tackles, he seems to bounce off of guys. I think he and Roldan were playing too close and that messed up the entire midfield.
I don’t think anyone on the field came even close to a great game. A couple had OK games against incredibly inferior opposition. Lichaj did the basics with no major mistakes, I’d call that
OK. You have to give him credit for his overlapping run and the assist. But lets be honest when the defense lets you walk in behind them giving you all the time in the world a high schooler can make that 10 yard pass. It was routine, nice but routine. The keeper squats on it and waits, meanwhile Morris steps in front of him to tap it in.
Fair enough, no one was great. However, I was impressed with Lichaj and his overall play, not just the overlapping run and the pass for the goal. I never expect anyone to be perfect, but when he made a mistake he made up for it with good recover and toughness. He also was playing with guys he did not know, so there was some hesitation at times. I guess I am comparing him more to Zusi than Yedlin in terms of how he did, but I think he has more than just skill. He has a toughness and a maturity i did not see from a lot of guys out there last night. I would like to see him at LB next game to see if he can give Villafana a run, who knows?
Not much doubt here, there were others that created more chances perhaps, but those were not finished. Omar’s goal was really just a right place right time, and Lichaj had a few questionable moments in defense. Accosta played ok, but his service was not very good, especially with so many chances at it. He is used to making the pass to the guy that makes the pass, not having to make it himself.
There’s a much more accurate word for Acosta’s performance: unacceptable. It took Bedoya 10 seconds to play the simple, incisive defensive splitting pass that Acosta hasn’t played in 150 minutes. He did not put in the shift required of him tonight. His removal more reflective of longevity but he deserved to come out at 60 all the same. He has a lot of growing up to do in link up play.