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Seattle Sounders star forward Jordan Morris returning to U.S. for surgery on torn ACL

By Ben Arthur, Seattle P-I

|Updated

The Seattle Sounders announced that star forward Jordan Morris will return to the U.S. for surgery following a season-ending knee injury suffered while on loan with Welsh side Swansea City.

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Morris, 26, will have the procedure on his left ACL performed by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum in Santa Monica, California. The Mercer Island native suffered the injury Saturday in Swansea’s match against Huddersfield.

Morris ruptured his right ACL with the Sounders in 2018.

“First and foremost, we have been in touch with Jordan and he has our full support during this difficult time for him and his family,” Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said in a statement Monday. “Having gone through this before in 2018, seeing Jordan suffer another injury of this nature makes it equally devastating and hopeful. We know first-hand the resilience of his character and look forward to the day he steps on the soccer field again.

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“In the meantime, we’re focused on welcoming him home and making sure he has the full support of our club.”

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Morris of Swansea City before being stretchered off due to injury injured during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and Swansea City at John Smith's Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Huddersfield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images)

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Morris of Swansea City before being stretchered off due to injury injured during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and Swansea City at John Smith's Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Huddersfield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Visionhaus/Getty Images

Morris had been loaned to Swansea of the English Championship in January, scheduled to play out the remainder of the 2020-21 season with the Welsh club.

Morris finished fourth in MLS MVP voting and was named an MLS Best XI selection this past season after posting 10 goals and eight assists with the Sounders. His 18 combined goals and assists in 2020 were tied for second in MLS.

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In 121 MLS appearances, including the playoffs, Morris has 41 goals and 23 assists for the Rave Green. He helped Seattle to four MLS Cup appearances and two championships since 2016, when he was named MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Morris was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2019 after missing the prior season with his torn right ACL.

“First and foremost, I want to thank everyone (with Swansea City) for making me feel so welcome and at home, especially my teammates. You all made my short experience incredible special,” Morris said in a string of tweets Tuesday. “I of course had more goals to accomplish but I can’t wait to support from afar.

“The past few days have been difficult for me and my family,” Morris continued. “This is a tough one to wrap my head around. I’m absolutely gutted but the only thing to do is move forward and focus on my recovery.”

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Ben Arthur covers the Seattle Seahawks, the Mariners, and other Seattle-area sports for the SeattlePI