The last time the Sounders opened their season in Central America, in 2018, they suffered a loss that would linger over much of that campaign. Their round of 16 showdown with Santa Tecla in El Salvador contained all the usual CONCACAF Champions League tropes: swampy conditions, controversial goals and an underdog outperforming its usual abilities.



The Sounders took an early lead but couldn’t protect it, suffering a 2-1 defeat after Santa Tecla struck back with a pair of scrappy second-half goals. Besides the bruised pride of falling to a squad that hadn’t previously won a Champions League game in its history, the result itself didn’t ultimately matter all that much: Seattle dominated the second leg 4-0 at CenturyLink Field to advance to the quarterfinals.



There was a more profound loss, however.



Jordan Morris entered that season at a crossroads. He had been named MLS rookie of the year in 2016, playing a leading role on that...