SEATTLE—It wasn’t an average, run-of-the-mill press conference.
The Ninety – the Seattle Sounders’ downtown gathering space – was packed to the brim with media and a heavy contingent of season-ticket holders clamoring to catch a glimpse of the club’s latest big-name signing. And this, when the Sounders and their passionate supporters aren’t strangers to landing marquee talent.
But Thursday’s introduction of hometown hero Jordan Morris was extra special.
Sounders majority owner Adrian Hanauer called it the culmination of a “10-year signing process” dating back to Morris’ days as a member of Seattle’s youth academy that continued through his three-year stint at Stanford University.
“I have to be honest,” Hanauer said, “this addition has been more emotional for me than most players we’ve signed in the past … We certainly wanted to sign Jordan before today, but he made a commitment to Stanford University, to his teammates, to his coach. Every six months we would try to test that commitment, but he was steadfast in what he was committed to.”
And Morris wasn’t done after the question-and-answer session. The native of nearby Mercer Island was then whisked to the top of the Space Needle for a very Seattle-like photo shoot.
“It’s a lot, definitely,” Morris said. “But obviously it’s flattering and very exciting, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
“It’s becoming a little more normal. I used to be so bad at interviews. It was terrible. Not that I’m good now, but I feel a little bit more comfortable. But, of course it’s a lot.”
Morris’ signing comes on the heels of a week-long trial with German side Werder Bremen, leading to some speculation that he could spurn his hometown club for a chance to showcase his skills in the Bundesliga.
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With that possibility now in the rearview mirror, Thursday’s event featured a tinge of relief shading the unmistakable jubilation. But to hear Morris tell it, there didn’t seem to be much doubt as to what his decision would be.
“I always knew I wanted to come home,” Morris said. “[Werder Bremen] was a great experience, but it kind of reaffirmed my belief that I wanted play in my hometown and play in front of 45,000 at CenturyLink and just be around my family. It was a cool experience, but I’m more than excited to be home.”
