TORONTO – Justin Morrow has taken to Toronto in a big way.

In his fourth season with the Reds, Morrow has put together another career year, racking up eight goals this season, three more than the high he established in 2016.

One of the more consistent performers at Toronto FC since joining in 2014, Morrow is right up there with Michael Bradley, who also joined that year, in terms of revolutionizing the club.

His eight goals, twice as many as any other MLS defender this season, has him tied for third on the club scoring table, level with Victor Vazquez, earning Morrow a nod as a finalist for the 2017 MLS Defender of the Year.

Asked what has fostered this offensive output, Morrow explained: “It's a combination of things.”

“The freedom that Greg [Vanney] gives me to get in attack: I have more license than any other outside back in the league to make the decision to get forward and be a part of that. He really encourages me to do that. That's something special that sets me apart.”

“My internal aggressiveness, willingness to get forward, has been a difference maker,” added Morrow. “And my teammates. They are the reason why I score.”

His first two goals of the season came early, scoring in a pair of 2-2 draws against the Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United in the opening month of action. 

Morrow added a third in the 5-0 rout of Columbus Crew SC come the end of May. 

But it was the next two offensive explosions that really put him in the headlines, nabbing a brace in a 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers in August and scoring his first career hat-trick against the New York Red Bulls at the end of September to help clinch the club’s first Supporters’ Shield.

Morrow was named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week on both occasions. The goals against Portland were particularly emphatic, for good reason, coming on the heels of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup title with the United States men's national team.

“Every goal is different,” said Morrow of the feelings he experiences as he wheels away from another finish. “I remember the Portland game, it was a big emotional release. I was coming back from the national team, I felt like I had pressure on me to play well and help this team win. I scored in that game, I pumped my fist and you could tell I was letting it out.”

Eight goals in 2017, each of which saw an Easter egg of a celebration, was the culmination of a three-year process that has seen Morrow progressively up his output. 




With 15 goals over that stretch, Morrow is in a class on his own. 




That ability to get on the end of attacks, working his way into goal-scoring positions from his left wing-back spot has caught the eye, but it is only a part of his game.




“He's been big for us,” said Vanney of Morrow. “His engine and capacity to get up and down, to be involved in the attack and still recover back to be in defensive positions is second to none in this league. It's not even close.” 




“That's a special trait,” continued Vanney. “He's gotten very aggressive in his attacking mindset, yet he still maintains that responsibility on the defensive side. He's won games for us scoring goals and done more than his fair share in helping this team be one of the best defensive units. That's a good year. He's deserving of [the nomination].”




Added Vanney: “The goals set him apart, the amount of them, their quality and importance. At the end of the day, you have to be good defender to be in the discussion [for Defender of the Year]. His ability to do both roles has been extraordinary.”




Morrow too emphasizes the dual roles he fulfills: “I've had success this year attacking, but I've always considered myself a defender first. I pride myself on defensive work-rate, the stability I bring to the team.”




Before the list of award nominees was whittled down to three finalists, Morrow, ever the gentleman, wouldn't even consider himself the best defender on TFC: “Chris [Mavinga] is much more of a defender than I am. I'd be happy if he won it.”




Morrow went on to mention every other of his teammates as equally worthy of the praise.




And when it was announced that Ike Opara of Sporting KC was named the 2017 MLS Defender of the Year, Morrow said he was simply, “Happy to be on the list, in the conversation.” 




“I played with Ike for a long time [in San Jose]; we're still good friends, we chat all the time,” said Morrow. “I'm so happy for him. He's had an unbelievable comeback. He's been knocked down so many times, so I wasn't sad to lose it to him at all.”




His humility, commitment, and play, along with
his summer reading program
, have

.




Something he repaid with every goal celebration this season. 




“It's a six; a Toronto type of thing,” revealed Morrow of the gesture. “It's just something fun.”

“I scored five goals last year, I didn't have any particular celebration,” added Morrow. “I thought, 'maybe I should have something I do, in case I score more goals this year.' I'm not a dancer type of guy or anything like that, so it was a simple celebration I could do to connect with fans in Toronto.”