Jordan Morris hit performance incentives that will make him a Designated Player for the remainder of his contract that runs through the 2027 season, Seattle Sounders GM Craig Waibel confirmed on Wednesday. Combined with Albert Rusnák’s re-signing and Pedro de la Vega’s ongoing status, that means all three of the Sounders’ DP spots are likely filled for the next two seasons.
Morris had previously made the maximum allowed without being required to be classified as a DP. But before he signed that contract, he apparently told Waibel he felt as if he had already demonstrated enough to deserve DP status. Waibel said they compromised and put an escalator clause in Morris’ contract that would trigger if he had 30 goal contributions in MLS play over a two-year period. Morris finished with 27 goals and six assists over the 2023 and 2024 MLS regular seasons and playoffs, the highest two-year total of his career.
“All credit to Jordan, because he’s gone out over the last two years and proven that he was right,” Waibel said during a press conference on Wednesday, ostensibly to talk about the Jesús Ferreira signing. Waibel added that Ferreira, who is taking a significant pay cut to join the Sounders, also agreed to a similar clause in his contract that would potentially trigger in the 2027 season.
While Morris’ new status deals a bit of a blow to anyone hoping to see a new high-profile DP, it’s hard to argue he doesn’t deserve it. Since signing this contract at the start of 2023, Morris has put up his two best seasons of his professional career. Only seven players have more MLS goals over that time and only four have more non-penalty goals or more non-penalty xG. Among those players, only Brian White is not a Designated Player.
Part of what has made Morris so productive during this stretch is his ability to stay on the pitch. In 2023, Morris logged about 2,700 minutes and played in 37 matches across all competitions for club and country. Last year, he set new career highs with nearly 3,800 minutes and 44 appearances across all competitions. He translated that into 19 goals and five assists, tying the Sounders’ record for all-competition goals in a single season.
