Aidan Morris didn't need much time to adjust after moving from Columbus Crew to Middlesbrough. Besides getting used to driving on the left side of the road, the American midfielder quickly settled into English life.
There was just one major surprise waiting for him on the pitch – the lack of VAR in the Championship.
"Honestly, with there being no VAR, it's a mess," Morris admits. "Guys can get away with so much cheap stuff, cheap hits and bad tackles."
The 23-year-old midfielder doesn't shy away from physical play, though. His combative style actually fits perfectly with the rough-and-tumble nature of England's second tier.
"Concacaf and the EFL Championship are pretty similar, honestly," Morris says with a laugh, comparing it to the notoriously physical international matches he's experienced.
USMNT Return and World Cup Dreams
Morris recently returned to the USMNT setup under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. He impressed in October's matches against Ecuador and Australia after nearly a year away from the national team.
"It was refreshing to be back, it was really nice," says Morris. "It was longer to wait than I would have liked, but that's life."
With the 2026 World Cup approaching – hosted partly in the USA – Morris is determined to be part of the squad. Every chance with the national team counts now.
"With the World Cup coming to America, I think about opportunity," Morris explains. "It'd be such a huge accolade to play in a World Cup on home soil. And, man, let's go out and win it. Why not?"
For bettors looking ahead to 2026, Morris represents an interesting prospect. His continued development in a tough league like the Championship could see his national team stock rise significantly in the coming months.
Leading Middlesbrough's Promotion Push
At club level, Morris has established himself as a crucial player for Middlesbrough. He's started 11 of their 13 league games this season, helping the team to second place in the Championship table.
"Promotion is always a goal, but I hate talking about it," Morris says cautiously. "We have the players and the coaching staff to do it, but it's about replicating 46 solid performances throughout the year."
Statistically, Morris ranks among the Championship's elite midfielders. He sits in the 92nd percentile for tackles, 96th for pass completion, and 90th for progressive passes.
His manager Rob Edwards is clearly impressed: "His performances have been of a very high level. He's working so hard for us."
This form makes Middlesbrough an attractive betting option in the Championship promotion market. With Morris controlling the midfield, Boro have shown the consistency that was missing last season.
Morris credits his time at Columbus Crew for preparing him for English football. "The way Wilfried Nancy challenged me and the way we played, I felt like I could go anywhere, any style, and have success," he explains.
Above all, Morris brings a winner's mentality to both club and country. "I'm a winner, man," he states firmly. "I love winning and I hate losing. I'll do anything I have to do to win."
With Middlesbrough pushing for Premier League promotion and the World Cup on the horizon, 2025 could be Aidan Morris's breakout year on the international stage.
