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Schmid, Garber remain patient with Morris amid Werder Bremen trial

Photo by Gary Rohman/ USA Today Sports
Photo by Gary Rohman/ USA Today Sports

BALTIMORE – Like many throughout the American soccer landscape, the Seattle Sounders are resigned to a wait-and-see approach when it comes to the future of prized prospect Jordan Morris.

The U.S. Men’s National Team forward’s future remains up in the air following his decision to depart Stanford following his junior year. On one hand, Morris is mulling over a record-breaking Homegrown offer from the Sounders. Meanwhile, his recent training stint with Bundesliga club Werder Bremen has proven fruitful, prompting an extension.

A former college coach himself, the Sounders’ Sigi Schmid is more than familiar with the recruiting process, and is the first to admit Morris’ eventual decision is, at this point, out of his hands.

“Jordan’s going to make a decision at the end of all of this,” Schmid said at Thursday’s MLS Draft, “and the only thing I can liken it to is that, when I was a college coach, I always told recruits ‘I want you to see everything you want because I want you to be here because you want to be here.’ Right now, Jordan is following what he laid out as his plan and at then end of the day he’ll make a decision.

“We feel good about all of that. Like I’ve said, it’s going to be his choice and his decision, but that’s what it always is. We’re happy with what we’ve offered him and we think we can provide a good situation for him.”

Another person that remains eager to hear from Morris is MLS Commissioner Don Garber. As the league continues to look to acquire American talent of all ages, Garber says that Morris remains someone the league covets and hopes to acquire in the near future.

“I’m following very closely. We very much want to sign Jordan,” Garber said. “I know that the Sounders are very focused on it. He’s certainly had a great college career and he started playing in Seattle. He has a family member that works for the team and we’re very hopeful that we’re able to bring him into the league and have him represent this new generation of great American players that have started and in many cases, like Landon (Donovan), finished their careers in Major League Soccer.”

The commissioner went on to address reports stating that U.S. Men’s National Team assistant Andi Herzog, who organized Morris’ trial, is encouraging young players to move to Europe. After dialogue with U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati and USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Garber remains confident that all of those involved remain on the same page regarding the Morris situation.

“It’s not really meddling,” Garber said. “A federation has a responsibility to ensure that players that are a part of their program understand what their opportunities are, and having spoken to Sunil, and I know Sunil spoke to Jurgen and Andi, and Andi corrected what he said which was a misquote in the article in Germany. None of the federation’s staff are encouraging players to sign overseas and not with Major League Soccer. I think Andi was very clear about that.

“We very much believe that our league provides players with a great opportunity, today more than ever before, to begin their careers, and some even come back at the conclusion of their careers, but to make a good living and be trained well and to have fantastic facilities and in the case of Seattle, play in front of 45,000 fans, which is among the best in the world. Our goal is to do everything we can to have these players here and see MLS as a league of choice. We do everything we can to make that happen.”

What do you think of Schmid and Garber’s comments? Expect Morris to sign with the Sounders?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Jordan has to make a careful decision, he’s ‘already’ 21 and has yet to play a game of professional club soccer. At that age, good players start breaking into larger roles at the club level. Whatever his decision, I hope he makes a wise one based on a situation where he will receive a fair chance to both earn playing time at a good level and receive quality coaching.

    Reply
  2. And its about time Garber took a stand on what Klinsmann and Herzog have been saying. If they are going to live here and coach our NATIONAL teams, then they should NOT be encouraging and brainwashing our best and brightest to play elsewhere.

    Any employer has a right to fire an employee that publicly badmouths the company. MLS is our domestic league and Klinsmann & Herzog’s employer is US Soccer. The are not the same but are closely tied together. A strong MLS benefits US Soccer and MLS has every right to resent the crap Klinsmann and Herzog if feeding our rising stars. Im glad they went to Sunil and apparently he had something to say to his employees. Misquote? NO Klinsmann and company have been saying it for years. Will they stop? Doubt it… they’ll just be less vocal.

    By the way, where has going there to play actually made any difference? Dempsey developed here, Jozy bombed in Europe, Landon didnt need Europe, Bradley had a run there but also a longer run here. Others go there and disappear. A good player can be a NAT player no matter where they play. If we had an American coach, all this Euro snob attitude would disappear

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    • First off, there is very rarely a time when it’s necessary to go full caps. Being loud doesn’t help your opinion seem more reasoned, at least not to anyone thinking rationally.

      You’re allowed to be a euro-snob and live here. You make it seem like people who want to see our young US players play in Europe shouldn’t be allowed to live here. There are plenty of Americans who are euro-snobs, and most of them aren’t radicals. Euro-snobs are just arrogant people that know the same thing every one does, but have a zeal about it that makes them lose sight of other more subtle aspects of world soccer. Their basic premise is correct though: Europe has more experienced, more advanced leagues and scouting networks than us. If you want to play against the best players, for the best managers, and gain the most prestige, Europe is the place to do that. That doesn’t mean that all national team players should play in Europe. That doesn’t mean domestic leagues aren’t very important to national teams.

      Having an American coach doesn’t kill euro-snobbery. It doesn’t even ensure that coach won’t encourage his young players with promise to test their games in Europe.

      All that said, I agree with you about the importance of our domestic leagues, and think you make some good examples of players who matured and excelled in MLS.

      Reply
    • LoL

      I’m curious how far down the hierarchy from misplaced patriotism/mandated endorsement of the state does truth lie… giving the best, most honest answer you can taking into account the best interest of the young man?

      Reply
  3. It sometimes has to make one wonder what it is that affords a small county with a population maybe 1/50th of our USA, what allows these countries to do so well, and what it is that is holding us back from unleashing more fury.

    It’s got to be something in the mindset and the mentality, that is holding us back. Something that is holding our players back.

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    • Its that not all of our athletes play soccer. Yes, Germany, Spain, Holland have other sports, but soccer is number one. The best athletes are drawn to the most popular sports in a country imagine Lebron James playing forward for the Crew instead of the Cavaliers.

      I know its not assured that because you are good at basketball, football, or baseball you’ll be good at soccer, but getting a bigger portion of the better athletes certainly wouldn’t hurt.

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      • I was just thinking about Chad Johnson and so many other wide receivers and corner backs who played soccer as kids coming up but had to make the choice of taking the long odds of making it into the NFL or the longer odds of making it into MLS.

        I have 3 God sons who all played Youth soccer in ATL. When they got to the ninth grade they had to make a decision about whether they would continue playing soccer and football or just pursuing football. Three for three they chose football. Two of them are scholarship athletes at Oklahoma State University and one is a scholarship athlete at Furman university. They are all tremendous athletes. And they actually enjoy the game of soccer as well as played at a high-level. But there was no future for them in soccer as a career. That’s the paradigm shift that MLS and other professional leagues have to address in this next generation particularly here in the deep South.

        Clearly 10 years ago when players had to make that decision it was a no-brainer. I think today choosing the long odds of making it in the NFL over MLS is still a no-brainer. But who knows where we will be 20 years from now? Hopefully MLS wages, quality of play and quality of life will be closer to “On Par” with other professional athletes and leagues.

      • TX 2 made a good point. Soccer in the United States in even within the MLS is treated as a sports that needs to follow the NFL ways to become successful. When Garber keep doing that, he is basically saying soccer is inferior to the point that even running a soccer league like a soccer league would fold the league quicker than a league ran like the NFL. MLS had a chance to not only introduce basic soccer (AKA: The global soccer model) to the nation for the first time, but also a more diverse league that give sports fans something different. MLS clearly have something against FIFA that goes deeper than the scandal were they feel the standard soccer model is stupid. Garber actually called it stupid just last year. What young talent wants to join a sport where even the major league commissioner within the country is bashing the sport? Why join a soccer league run like the NFL if you can basically fight your way into playing for the NFL instead?

      • HydraHamster,

        I completely disagree with what you said. Players don’t care about if a commissioner is bashing their sport or if the model is more or less than the global money. In my experience, they care about money, fame, competing against the best, prestige and women (for some). Unfortunately, that is note here. If Chad Johnson thought that he could realistically make 5 million/year playing soccer in Miami in what is considered one of the best leagues in the world, he would have continued.

        It is Garber’s job to get MLS there (money, fame, competing against the best, prestige). The path to get there might not be in the best interest of the current generation of USMNT stars, but that is not Garber’s concern. He has to build a brand that commands a large enough audience to generation MUCH greater revenues to pay salaries of high quality players (we are FAR from that). On top of that he has to get teams to invest in developing better players (still FAR). Finally, he has to get the typical US soccer fan who views soccer as event viewing (World Cup, Olympics – who watches track & field outside the Olympics) into becoming the bread and butter casual fans that other American sports thrive on. It is NOT easy.

    • I wouldn’t say that it is something particularly in the way of mindset or mentality issue. I think it’s a cultural issue in total. In many other countries, particularly the ones that are much smaller than the US, there’s only one game in town. In the US there over 11 professional sports leagues ( male and female) that a kid with any/varying degrees of talent can find their niche and make a decent living.

      The payout for all the sacrifice of trying to make it as a professional soccer player in America is just not there yet. Or maybe I should say we’re just getting to the point where being a professional soccer player in America is a truly viable long-term plan for living. Who knows what we will be in 10–20 years, but the upward trajectory of MLS and NASL and other soccer leagues is making it a much more appealing proposition for young athletes. The day is coming where we will see the dual sport athlete choose Soccer over other profitable sports. At that point I think we can say that soccer has truly crossed over into the mainstream and has captured the heart of America.

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      • I agree with this. Culture and history. Americans hardly lack athletic ability to be great at soccer… rather knowledge and passion for the game, being force-fed it from their parents and grandparents, neighbors, shopkeepers, practically everyone, from birth. Americans kids don’t play enough. They don’t understand the game well enough, or touch the ball often enough. Impossible for our country to produce a Messi, a Suarez, at this moment in time.

      • I’m not sure if the curry boys are going to make it to the NFL, their next couple years will tell the tale, but there is always NFL Europe, or the CFL, or even arena football. oSU has 15 Alums in the NFL, so it is not out of the question. Looks like about a 5% chance. Which is a heck of a lot better than playing the powerball.

    • I don’t think it’s a mentality issue. I think there are two issues. One, while there’s no way to know if LeBron or Chris Paul or Cam Newton would be great soccer players, without a doubt if we had, for example, double the number of kids playing soccer that we do now, some of those kids would have the ability to develop into elite players.

      In other words, it may not be some current famous basketball player who would’ve been a soccer star. It could be that there is a kid that has the ability to be our Messi but in high school he chooses basketball and in that sport he’s just a good high school player or college player. Then he goes and works in the real world like the rest of us.

      Then Two, we need to improve the structure of our youth development system so that we get the best out of the athletes who do choose to play soccer. But, growing the game here in any way possible is essential to getting US Soccer where we want it to be because it will result in more people playing the game here.

      Reply
  4. Sounders suck. Cant say i blame the kid. I’ll never forget that the Dallas team that knocked them out last year, the starting eleven made less than half of what Dempsey makes. What a joke.

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  5. I think Andi Herzog is doing exactly what he says he isn’t. I’d be willing to bet that he straight up told Morris to go to Europe.

    Reply
    • …and?

      Please don’t tell me you’re one of the resident “SBI-managers” who proclaim/assume to know more than a manager. Unless you’ve worked with Morris, know his capability, personality and know more than a professional manager in the game of soccer – let’s leave professional guidance and decisions to professionals.

      For the record, I’m a champion of MLS retaining American/Mexican talent over washed up Europeans but Morris has to do what’s best for himself and managers associated with USMNT have to suggest what they feel like is best for it’s players.

      Reply
      • I don’t get comments like this. The point of posting comments on any website is to give your opinion. But, according to you, no one should voice an opinion because they don’t know have personal knowledge of Morris’s talents, character, etc. Pretty silly if you ask me. It’d be a pretty dull site if every comment was “I’ll leave everything to the professionals and never question a thing even on a website because I know nothing.”

      • “I don’t get comments like this. The point of posting comments on any website is to give your opinion.”

        Keyword: Opinion.

        Far too many SBI-managers proclaim to know…as fact…more than professional managers. People are free to provide their opinion in a public forum as they are free game to be subjected to criticism for providing that opinion in such a public fashion.

        You need to brush up on your reading comprehension skills. Not once did I say he/anyone are —–not free– to post their opinion. I did, however, point out why their opinion is ridiculous. People on SBI do not know more than a manager. That is a fact and not an opinion.

      • I don’t see anyone saying their opinion is a fact or that they know more than a player’s manager. But what you’re saying would preclude anyone from disagreeing with a manager which is ridiculous. It reminds me of the JK fanboys who basically say that any criticism of his illegitimate because the person criticizing, for example, his roster selection isn’t in camp with the players. That doesn’t mean JK is always right or that the people criticizing him are always wrong. Everyone has an opinion and this is a place to voice them. If you disagree, say why, but don’t just say the opinion is not legitimate because the person isn’t a manager. That’s silly.

      • “I don’t see anyone saying their opinion is a fact or that they know more than a player’s manager.”

        You’re being intentionally obstinate to reality then. You’re on SBI far too often to say you don’t see this as being a prevalent commentary stance. Talk about being silly. That ends the conversation then.

      • I agree with SLA in that I’m tired of seeing the “you don’t more than the manager” argument.

        That wasn’t part of the OP’s claim at all. Not only that, but The Dutchman prefaced both of his statements with “I think” and “I’m willing to bet”. He never claimed facts.

        Furthermore, SLA didn’t insult you directly at all, but said that your argument was silly. You however feel the need to attack his reading comprehension ability and claim he’s being obstinate and obsessive. I’m sorry, but that isn’t a good way to “win” disagreements.

        That said, we have a lot of current and former players and coaches on this site, and you should try not to assume The Dutchman has no idea what he’s talking about. Even if he doesn’t, that builds a poor debate.

        It’s safe to say that there is one person on this site that has more renowned playing/managerial experience than everyone else. Should that person be the only one allowed to try to make a point here? We shouldn’t take debates to that person because we haven’t done what they’ve done?

        I will make an assumption myself now, which is hopefully a bit more innocent. I think most people on here recognize that when someone comments about why this or that was stupid or smart, they’re giving their opinion. You don’t even have to start off every sentence with “This is just my opinion, but. . .” because most of take that as a given.

        – – – – –

        “Pete Carroll is one of only three football coaches who have won both a Super Bowl and a college football national championship.” – Wikipedia

        So, only like three other dudes should be able to question his final call in the previous Super Bowl?

        – – – – –

        “Far too many SBI-managers proclaim to know…as fact…more than professional managers. People are free to provide their opinion in a public forum as they are free game to be subjected to criticism for providing that opinion in such a public fashion.” – You

        I agree with your second sentence completely, but don’t know why that doesn’t apply to the OP.

        Your second sentence is a bit more troublesome. . .in my opinion.
        I’m on this site all the time, and have never read any comment where someone tries to prove factually that they know more than JK or any other professional manager. If someone says, “JK doesn’t know anything about tactics,” that’s pretty obviously hyperbolic opinion. They could go on to say why they think JK is so ignorant, but that would still be opinion.
        Now, if that same individual tried to list their credentials, and say how they were a more proven manager, and therefore that their opinion should be more valued than JKs, that would make your first sentence closer to the truth. It would still be only one person, and I can’t say I’ve ever seen such a thing on this site or anywhere.

      • My main objection is to people who claim to read minds. That is, those who say things like Player A really doesn’t want to play here or Player B really has allegiance there or whatever when they have no information to back that up. Unless you can point to a quote or specific action, we certainly don’t have any basis to voice an opinion on how someone thinks or feels.

      • I was going to respond but AMPhibian made any point I would have made better than I would have made it. The point of coming on here is engaging in debates about the game we love. So do that instead of trying to shut down debates by playing the “you don’t know more than the manager” card.

    • All seems an over reaction to a pretty natural, common process.

      If I were in Morris’ position, contemplating Europe, I’d probably ask any and everyone I could about their experience there. One of my coaches would be a likely candidate for such input.

      If I were Herzog and a player asked… I’d answer, tell him how my experience w/ a club I had much success with and pride in influenced my career and life. If I thought highly of the same player, I might introduce the two hoping they might benefit each other.

      If I were Morris and an intelligent, capable adult with plenty of support and had such a decision to make, I would suck every bit of information I could from each opportunity and every resource. I’d take into account every persons recommendation will be tinged/biased by their own unique perspective… I’d make the best decision I could from my point of view. I’d own it as a man, move forward and go kick some ass.

      Either way he goes has +’s and -‘s but are GREAT opportunities for a young man. He appears to be equipped to flourish either way he sees as the best fit for Jordan Morris. Best of luck and hard work dude!!!!

      Reply

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