New York Red Bulls forward Lewis Morgan has one the 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the year. The Scottish international returned from multiple injuries this year and even changed positions under new head coach Sandro Schwarz but was able to produce at and above expectations from when he went down in 2022. Morgan finished 2024 as the team’s leading goal scorer with 13 goals and seven assists.
Morgan’s time with New York has been a roller coaster ride. He joined the club at the end of the 2021 season as part of a trade from Inter Miami that also brought Andres Reyes to Harrison, N.J. From there he appeared in 32 games for the Red Bulls in 2022, scoring 14 goals and notching four assists. His work saw the club reward him with a three-year deal but his time was cut short due to a hip injury early in the 2023 campaign.
Morgan returned to the club in 2024, wearing the number 9 kit and leading the frontline along with forward Dante Vanzeir. While many take time to readjust to the league, Morgan played in 29 total MLS games in 2024 and even broke through to the Scottish national team where he made an appearance at the European Championship this summer.
Morgan beat out stiff competition to win the award, including fellow New York rival Maxi Moralez across the river. Morgan is still active with the Red Bulls as they await their opponents in the Eastern Conference semi-final, which will be played following the November international window this coming week.
photo by Matt Kremkau