The Sounders will need to shell out big bucks for a striker to replicate the speed and pace of Morris, out for the season because of a knee injury. But they might have to wait until major overseas transfer windows re-open in May and June.
So much of the Sounders’ blueprint for 2018 success began and ended with Mercer Island’s Jordan Morris.
They’d hoped “coaching up” players, primarily through the addition of assistant Preki, would help Morris and others find the net and narrow the talent gap with free-spending teams such as Toronto FC. A 4-4-2 diamond formation was introduced for added flexibility, so the physical Will Bruin occasionally could take heat off Morris, 23, up top and free him to concentrate on finishing chances.