Morris's First International Goal

On This Day in 2015, the College Student Scored in the Friendly Victory over Mexico

The chants of "Dos a Cero" echoed through the Alamodome as an unlikely hero emerged from the shadows of American soccer's most storied rivalry. On April 15, 2015, a 20-year-old college student who hadn't even signed a professional contract accomplished something no collegiate player had done for the United States in over two decades: score against Mexico.

Jordan Morris, the Stanford University sophomore who had turned down a professional contract with his hometown Seattle Sounders to continue his education, was thrust into the international spotlight on a warm Texas evening. His 49th-minute strike sparked the United States to a 2-0 victory over their fiercest rivals before a raucous crowd of 64,369, writing another chapter in a rivalry that has increasingly tilted in America's favor since the turn of the century.

Morris's journey to the national team defied conventional wisdom. After signing his letter of intent with Stanford on February 6, 2012, the Mercer Island, Washington native quickly established himself as one of college soccer's brightest talents. In his freshman year, Morris appeared in all 21 matches, leading all Pac-12 freshmen with seven assists and 19 points while tying for the lead with six goals. His performances helped Stanford to their first NCAA Tournament since 2009, earning him first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

His sophomore campaign in 2014 proved even more impressive as Morris helped lead the Cardinal to their first Pac-12 championship since 2001. This collegiate success, combined with strong showings for Seattle Sounders FC's U-23 squad in the Premier Development League, caught the attention of U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Yet his decision to remain in college rather than turn professional appeared to jeopardize his national team status, given Klinsmann's public insistence that his players test themselves at the highest level possible. The German coach had repeatedly urged American players to challenge themselves in the most competitive environments.

Nevertheless, with surprising news, Klinsmann approached Morris and LA Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes before the final practice.

"Good," Klinsmann told them nonchalantly, "you two are working together during drills. I want you to use today's practice to start building a relationship." Then came the stunning revelation: "Because you're both starting tomorrow." The full weight of Klinsmann's words didn't immediately register with Morris.

The match began inauspiciously and was delayed 35 minutes due to problematic turf conditions. Crews had to soak the worst spots to prevent separation under players' cleats. The temporary grass surface laid over concrete created challenging playing conditions that players from both teams struggled to navigate.

As one reporter described, the first half was largely forgettable, with the U.S. team playing "like many of the players had just met at the hotel." Morris admitted his first couple of touches were uneasy. Still, as the game progressed, he began to showcase his speed in the open field and settled into the rhythm of international competition.

Four minutes after halftime, his moment arrived. Michael Bradley brought the ball upfield and passed to Zardes. The return pass ricocheted off Mexican defender Mario Osuna and fell perfectly for Morris at the top of the penalty area. With composure belying his age and inexperience, Morris took a touch, broke into the box and slid the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo from 10 yards.

"It fell to me, and it all happened so fast," Morris told reporters the next day from Palo Alto, where he had returned for a Friday political science class. "From that point, I kind of lost control. I don't really remember a lot of specifics, but I remember when everybody was surrounding me, I thought, 'Did that really just happen?'"

His flying, fist-pumping celebration took him to the sideline and into the waiting arms of DeAndre Yedlin, another former Sounders Academy player. The Alamodome erupted – at least the American section did – as Morris became an instant sensation.

"That was one of the moments that you dream about," Morris reflected. "That's when it really sank in for me that I was really going to play in this game."

Juan Agudelo, himself once hailed as "The Great American Hope" after scoring as a 17-year-old in 2010, replaced Morris in the 65th minute and added a second goal seven minutes later. Bradley made a long pass from the midfield line, and Agudelo controlled it just outside the penalty area before cutting inside and beating Saucedo with a low shot from 19 yards. The 2-0 scoreline – "dos a cero" – maintained the Americans' traditional result against their rivals.

For Klinsmann, Morris's goal validated his controversial decision to include college players in the national team pool. This decision was part of a broader strategy to unite the entire U.S. Soccer program, from youth academies to the senior team, under a unified style and philosophy. “It’s important that we benefit from the experience and the quality and the leadership of the experienced guys,” Klinsmann said. “The quality is there to qualify for the Olympics.”

For the United States, the victory provided momentum heading into the summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup. Morris's emergence gave Klinsmann an intriguing new attacking option as the team looked to defend its Gold Cup title.

Perhaps most tellingly, Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid – who had offered Morris a homegrown player contract that the forward declined to remain at Stanford – watched the game on delay, having not made it home in time to catch the kickoff.

"I avoided the phone," Schmid said, "which was hard to do because my wife was texting and calling, 'Why aren't you answering the phone?' I told her: 'Don't tell me about the game. I know I'm not up to where you're at. I know something happened.'"

So while the national audience watched Morris wheel away in celebration, Schmid was still watching the first half, observing his former academy kid work through his nerves. "He threw Jordan into the pool. I always say, sometimes you throw them in there and see if they can swim or not," Schmid reflected. After the final whistle confirmed the U.S. win and Schmid finally allowed messages through, a friend texted, "He swam," summarizing the Seattle soccer community's night.

Morris would return to Stanford for his junior year that fall, scoring 13 goals with three assists while leading the Cardinal to the Pac-12 and NCAA Championships. His five goals in the NCAA tournament, including two in the championship game against Clemson (the first coming just 87 seconds into the match), demonstrated his growing ability to perform on big stages. On January 8, 2016, Morris would be awarded the Hermann Trophy as college soccer's best player, capping a remarkable collegiate career before finally turning professional.

But on that April night in San Antonio, a college sophomore had announced himself on the international soccer stage, creating a moment that would resonate through American soccer history and launching a career that was just beginning to unfold. In a rivalry defined by its intensity and increasing American success, Morris had carved out his own special place in the "Dos a Cero" legacy.