Backheel Breakfast: Jordan Morris is still playing college soccer next season

Jordan Morris likes college, because college is fun. He plans on staying there for a while. Despite being called up to the senior national team four times, scoring a goal against Mexico and scoring again against El Tri in an Under-23 match this week, he's going to play for Stanford next fall. His reasoning makes perfect sense.

"Honestly, I just love it there. The soccer, the school, just the atmosphere of being at Stanford is amazing. I realize that it's something I'll never be able to get back (if I leave). I can go back and finish school in 15-20 years -- hopefully, after a long career -- but this time, when you're the same age as everyone, you have great friends, and playing soccer there is just an experience I'll never get back."

If Morris wants to stay in college, that's his prerogative, but then why is he getting called up? Klinsmann has criticized Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore for returning to MLS after stints in Europe. "It's going to be very difficult for them to keep that same level that they experienced at the places where they were," he said. "It's just reality. It's just being honest." It's strange to see Klinsmann question their ambition, but not question the ambition of someone who refuses to play soccer full time.

In the news

Holger Badstuber is out for the rest of the season, and the Bayern defender might miss the start of next year too. (Bundesliga)

Diego Costa could be back to face Arsenal. (Mirror)

For the third time, Lionel Messi has visited a specialist to stop him from vomiting all the time. (ESPN FC)

Sinisa Mihajlovic will reportedly leave Sampdoria for Napoli. (Football Italia)

Sunderland will keep playing Adam Johnson, even though he was charged with three counts of sex with a child. (Guardian)

If Real Madrid want, they can buy Chicharito for €10m. (AS)

Rotherham have been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, giving Millwall and Wigan some hope of staying up in the Championship. (BBC)

You should be reading

Martin Da Cruz on fan violence in Uruguay. (Futebolcidade)

Barney Ronay on Thierry Henry, the terrible TV pundit. (Guardian)

Fun with transfer rumors

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Mattia Destro's agent says Milan are too modest for his client, so the biggest club chasing him is ... drum roll ... Fiorentina! (Football Italia)

Tim Sherwood wants to sign Jake Livermore from Hull. (Mirror)

PSG and Man United are battling it out over Wesley Sneijder, because it's 2010. (Metro)

Thursday's games

Here's a recap of everything that happened in Europa League.

What to watch this weekend (click for listings, all times ET)

Most of the good stuff has been concentrated into Sunday.

Espanyol vs. Barcelona (Saturday, 10 a.m.) -- This local derby, like every Barca and Madrid game for the rest of the season, is huge in the title race.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 11 a.m.) -- Root for Arsenal, so that when they win, we have the joy of listening to their fans insist that a title win isn't impossible.

Benfica vs. Porto (Sunday, 12 p.m.) -- The best game of the weekend. Porto trail their rivals by three points in the Liga.

Celta Vigo vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 3 p.m.) -- Celta are a nightmare for big sides and could kill off Madrid's title chase here.

Chivas vs. America (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.) -- Mexico's biggest rivalry has not delivered the goods recently, but with Chivas pretty safe from relegation, they don't have much incentive to just play for a point.

Sounders vs. Timbers (Sunday, 9:30 p.m.) -- MLS put this on immediately after the Super Clasico! They're learning!