SEATTLE — Playing his first MLS match since September 2017, Jordan Morris scored a pair of first-half goals, Kelvin Leerdam added another in the first 45 minutes, and the Seattle Sounders opened the regular season with a 4-1 romp over expansion FC Cincinnati.
The debut of the newest MLS franchise was overshadowed by Morris’ return after missing the entire 2018 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee suffered while playing in the CONCACAF Champions League. Energized and rejuvenated after the year-long recovery, Morris was a burden for the expansion squad, bursting down both wings and finding himself in dangerous scoring positions.