It is a transition year for the United States Men’s National Team.
Missing the World Cup for the first time since 1986, and with no meaningful competition until next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, the USMNT is using the 2018 calendar year as an opportunity to spot any talented players that could help the United States in its quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This January’s camp was no execption.
Some of the more notable names were absent from this year’s camp, such as Christian Pulisic, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore as well as potential future stars such as Weston McKennie, Josh Sargent, and Cameron Carter Vickers, just to name a few. This January camp feature mostly MLS players trying to make their case as to why they should be included in the USMNT’s future going forward.
Sunday’s friendly was also another opportunity for those players to further strengthen their cause, and one player who certainly put himself out there was Jordan Morris. Morris was the key catalyst on several USA attack throughout the match, serving in dangerous crosses and getting in on several scoring chances himself in the US’ scoreless draw at StubHub Center on Sunday evening.
Morris had two chances at collecting assists midway through the first half. The first came in the 23rd minute, as he chased down a forward ball sent down the left flank. Morris got to the ball and sent a dangerous cross into the penalty area, where Cristian Roldan charged in, but Bosnia keeper Ibrahim Sehic got to the cross before Roldan had any chance at a potential shot attempt. Then in the 38th minute, Morris again crossed, but it deflected off a Bosnia defender, the ball though continued into the box and CJ Sapong looked to be the beneficiary of the deflection, as he swooped in and headed a ball right on frame, but Sehic calmly stopped the shot. Another cross in the 50th minute was perhaps his best chance at a helper, but Kellyn Rowe could not get his foot on that one, and the ball rolled back harmlessly into play.
However, the one chance that Morris would surely like a do-over on came in the 51st minute. Will Trapp sent a ball over the Bosnia defense to Morris, who brought it down with his back heel, which in turn freed him of his markers and left him open in the penalty area with only the Sehic to beat. Morris took a touch to his right and fired for goal, but his shot just missed the near post.
Like most positions on the USMNT, striker looks to be very competitive. Aside from Sargent, Timothy Weah, currently with Paris Saint Germain and the son of George Weah will almost be getting some call-ups, Altidore is seen as an immediate option and CJ Sapong also put in a strong performance on Sunday. Morris however was another player that showed that he deserved future considerations as well. Five years is indeed a long time, but Morris showed on Sunday that he hopes he can be part of the future plans of the USMNT.
