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ESPN staff 7y

Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris wins Rookie of the Year award in MLS

Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris has been voted Major League Soccer's Rookie of the Year after scoring 12 goals in his first professional season.

The 21-year-old made his national team debut two years ago while still at Stanford.

Morris, who will miss Friday's World Cup qualifier for the United States against Mexico because of a hamstring injury, received an average of 45 percent of the vote in balloting by players, media and club management that was announced on Thursday.

"Jordan is a big reason that our club has been successful this year. He has dealt with huge expectations and pressure from the media, and handled himself like a veteran pro," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said.

"I believe that he can improve in some key areas, and he has shown his willingness to learn and become a better player. His ability to impact the team in different areas is in line with our overall 'team first' mentality here in Seattle."

Philadelphia Union right-back Keegan Rosenberry was second at 31 percent of the vote, followed by New York City FC midfielder Jack Harrison at 15 percent.

"It's a huge honor and it was one of my goals going into the year," Morris told the Sounders' website. "But there were some other amazing rookies this year and they had some awesome years. Just to be a finalist with the two other great players was so cool. It's obviously a huge honor."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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