It’s been just over eight months since Jordan Morris made an appearance as a substitute for the United States Men’s National Team in Qatar. Morris was subbed on in the first group stage match against Wales, as he reached a pinnacle in his career, and he was able to represent his country on the world’s biggest stage.
Morris has overcome a lot to get to that point.
He suffered a torn ACL in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League, collapsing from a non-contact injury. He returned for the following season of Major League Soccer play, scoring 10 goals during the regular season and a hat-trick in the playoffs to help the Seattle Sounders capture a second MLS title. He was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year for his efforts.
Nearly three years to the day, Morris suffered another ACL injury. This time around, Morris was on loan at Swansea City for the remainder of the 2021-21 EFL Championship season. He wasn’t even a month into being abroad before his season ended prematurely.
Morris returned to the United States as his loan was terminated.
That’s not all Morris has had to overcome. The 28-year-old winger and forward, has Type 1 Diabetes, and he’s one of the few professional athletes with the condition to play at such a high level.
He has come back even stronger and has been named an MLS All-Star in consecutive seasons. He followed up representing his country at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup with his second MLS All-Star Game appearance just a few weeks ago. The American national, who overcame some significant injuries and dealt with a chronic condition since he was just nine years old, is still hitting new marks in his professional career.
Recently, Morris answered some questions for The Comeback regarding his battle with diabetes, how it’s shaped him as an athlete, as well as some of his top career moments, which have included several national teams caps, including four in 2023.
Here’s more from the Seattle native, who is in his eighth season with the Sounders. Note: This interview has been edited for clarity.
Can you discuss what it’s like to be an athlete with diabetes? How that shaped the player/person you’ve become today and how the device you used has helped you in terms of being able to manage and track your glucose on and off the field?
Jordan Morris: I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was nine years old. At first, I was overwhelmed and nervous that this new diagnosis would impact my love of the sport and goal of becoming a professional athlete. But luckily, I had other athletes to look up to who didn’t let diabetes hold them back, and was inspired to never let my diabetes, or injuries, hold me back. For a long time, I had to prick my finger throughout games which made things difficult, but when I started using a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor, it completely changed my life in so many ways. The ability to get real-time alerts to my phone and have those shared with my wife and coaches was huge. It’s made managing my diabetes so much easier and has really helped me get to where I am today. When I’m headed into a game, I can see where my glucose levels are which allows me to properly prepare my body for the rigorous activity I’m about to do. One of the features that has been so helpful is how my Dexcom and Omnipod insulin pumps interact with one another. If my glucose levels start to go up a little bit, Dexcom alerts my pump which gives me the right amount of insulin.
What’s it like being able to represent your hometown as a member of the Seattle Sounders at the MLS All-Star Game?
Morris: It was a surreal opportunity. As a kid from Seattle, seeing the stadium full like that was an emotional experience. To feel that energy and be there with an incredible group of players was amazing.
What’s it like to be named an MLS All-Star in consecutive seasons?
Morris: I’m grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me. It’s been a great honor to be here and to train with great players from across the league. Our coach, Wayne [Rooney], was a big inspiration of mine growing up so to be able to get to be here with him is awesome.
Representing your country is obviously a huge deal. What was it like scoring your first international goal (against Mexico) before you turned pro?
Morris: My mindset was to help the team in any way I could, so to be able to score a goal, it was a very exciting moment.
What has it been like working your way back from two ACL injuries to making the 2022 World Cup team?
Morris: It was a difficult process for me. And during my recovery, I was focused on getting the muscles around the knee as strong as possible, but the mental aspect was really the hardest part and something I haven’t quite experienced prior to those injuries. I think aspects of managing my diabetes for most of my life helped me remain determined to get back to where I was and continue to strive to be better. Just as I wasn’t going to let my chronic condition hold me back, my injuries weren’t going to either.
What was your experience like in Qatar? Was it special that you got to experience that with [Cristian] Roldan? What was it like being able to play in a World Cup game?
Morris: It was an awesome experience. I was surrounded by so many notable players I’ve admired for years, but I remained focused on the USMNT team and reminded myself that anyone who stepped on the field opposite of me was just another player at that time. It was definitely an inspiring experience.
Do you feel like you guys were able to give the world a different perspective on soccer in the United States with what you were able to accomplish at the World Cup?
Morris: I think it allowed the United States to see that we can play and compete with extremely experienced and talented teams and turn their attention to a sport that Americans sometimes pay less attention to while on a global stage. We only hope to continue turning more viewers’ heads our way and bringing attention to the sport in the United States in future World Cup games.
