The club confirmed on Monday morning that forward Jordan Morris has torn his ACL.

We are going to rule him out for the season,” General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said.

Morris, 23, suffered the knee injury against Santa Tecla FC last Thursday in a 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League match in El Salvador. In the 83rd minute, Morris was sprinting down the left flank with the ball and attempted to chip the goalkeeper with the outside of his right foot. His knee became twisted as he fell onto the turf.

“We are going to do what is best for Jordan’s career long-term. We think he is a Sounder for the long-term, he is in the club’s long-term plans,” Lagerwey added. “Jordan is part of the Sounders, that has not changed, that will not change. We are going to do what’s best for him long-term, which may mean a longer recovery.”

It’s a devastating blow for Morris, who appeared be at full strength throughout the preseason. An ankle injury set back his performance in the first half of the 2017 campaign, while a hamstring strain sidelined him for five weeks last September. The Homegrown Player from Mercer Island burst onto the pro scene in 2016, scoring 12 goals and earning the AT&T Rookie of the Year.

The Sounders host Santa Tecla in the second leg of their Round of 16 matchup on Thursday at 7 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field.