“Blind optimism”: Lewis Morgan on New York Red Bulls’ playoff run, winning MLS Comeback Player of the Year

Soccer, much like life, comes at you fast. One minute, you’re scoring goals left and right. The next minute, you’re sidelined with a hip injury and missing almost an entire season.

That was the case for Lewis Morgan, who found himself thriving during his first season with the New York Red Bulls back in 2022, to the tune of 14 goals in the regular season. Then a pair of hip injuries caused him to miss all but five games last season. In September, 2023, Morgan underwent hip surgery and was given a prognosis of an 80-85% chance of returning to play period and only a 20-25% chance of returning to his peak.

Well, after a long road back to full fitness, Morgan is currently in the midst of one of his best-ever seasons: he’s scored 13 goals and added some top-tier playmaking to the Red Bulls’ attack. Oh, and he also worked his way back into the Scottish national team, played at the Euros, and just helped spearhead one of the biggest upsets in MLS playoff history.

Morgan was named the 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Wednesday. Backheeled sat down with the 28-year-old to discuss what’s fueling the Red Bulls’ playoff run, returning from a long term injury, and much more.

Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

When did you first learn you were going to play striker this year? How did manager Sandro Schwarz tell you and what did you think about it?

It was probably something that wasn't really actually spoken about that often. I mean, I'd played as a striker before in my career. I’d played as a ten, too. But most of my football, especially at Red Bull, was played on the left wing. Obviously, we'd signed Emil Forsberg, and when he came in, I'd even spoken to Emil, and I knew that his preferred side was the left as well, so I think it just sort of naturally came about. 

And then the game that we eventually did start me through the middle as a striker was a 4-0 win against Inter Miami at home in March. Maybe if that game goes differently, I don't play the year through the middle. But luckily that day me and Dante Vanzeir up front had a very good partnership. He had four assists, I'd scored the half trick and I think it just stuck from there.

I definitely feel that's where I play my best football now, as well. I think it's suited me a lot. 

In your career, you’ve played on the wing, you’ve played as a wingback, now you’re playing as a striker. How have you become so positionally flexible?

I think in football, if you work hard, you can play any position. Obviously, there's some limitations. I'm sure I couldn’t play center back. But when you're playing basically every other position, as long as you're tactically tuned into the game — I love football, so I feel like I know every position and tactically, I’m pretty switched on. I enjoy that side of things, so I feel like it helps me with my adaptability.