The game in 100 words (or less): Jordan Morris has been forced into a star’s role for the Seattle Sounders of late, most notably due to the absence of Clint Dempsey, and provided the biggest moment of his still-young professional career on Saturday, as the Seattle Sounders topped the Vancouver Whitecaps on Morris’s late winner at CenturyLink Field. In doing so, Morris became just the fifth rookie in MLS history to score double-digit goals in his debut season. The 1-0 victory sees the Sounders (35 points) jump two places, up to seventh, in the Western Conference, now just three points back of the Portland Timbers for the sixth and final playoff place, with a game in hand. Nicolas Lodeiro provided plenty of assistance — and the assist — on Saturday, as the Uruguayan notched his seventh assist (to go with three goals) in his eight games since arriving in July.
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Three moments that mattered
22' — Ivanschitz goes oh so close to an opener — Andreas Ivanschitz dragged his left-footed shot inches wide of breaking the scoreless deadlock in the 22nd minute. So close, in fact, that the Sounders’ goal-celebrating flamethrowers were prematurely triggered.
False alarm. 🔥 #SEAvVAN pic.twitter.com/KATDi3vaow
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2016
69' — Barnes pings the post — Giles Barnes came this freaking close to putting the Whitecaps ahead totally against the run of play, but was denied by the woodwork.
81' — Morris heads Seattle into a late lead — Not many 21-year-olds are capable of putting an entire team on their back and willing their side to victory, but Morris did just that. With very little to work with in terms of chances created, the young America striker made the most of his lone clear-cut chance to bag his 10th goal of 2016.
Diving header from @JmoSmooth13! 1-0. #SEAvVAN https://t.co/hQtqPmRdFe
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2016
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Man of the match: Jordan Morris
Goalscorers: Morris (81')