MetroFanatic: Lewis, why did you make a choice to go to MLS four years ago.
Lewis Morgan: I just wanted to have another challenge, to be honest, at the time. The opportunity came up to come to Miami and it was a project that excited me. I played in Europe, I played in European competition, and I just wanted to test myself and put myself out of my comfort zone.

MF: From the outside, Miami was a mess those first two years.
LM: No, no, no. I wouldn't say it was a mess. It was an expansion club, and everything was difficult. It was 2020, it was a crazy year to come here, playing in COVID. It wasn't a mess, it was a fine club, a club that maybe was a little too eager to have success and win. I got nothing but good things to say. Hopefully, they do well, just not as well as us.

MF: No one expected you to break out the way you did, 15 goals, playoffs, Open Cup. You were not a big scorer in Miami or previously, right?
LM: I actually was a scorer before I came over. My first year in Miami, my numbers where OK, but I played some wing back for Miami in 2021 and the first season. Coming here, and being allowed to play my natural position is something I always knew that I would help the team out with goals.

MF: But your versatility is huge too. When needed, you can fill at left back, right back, or anywhere really on the field.
LM: I don't think it's any secret. I don't enjoy playing as a fullback.

MF: That's on record!
LM: (laughs) Of course, the team comes first in those times that it's needed. Actually, in Orlando last year, we obviously play Orlando the first game of this season, I played wing back in that game and we had a great result. The manager is always gonna pick the team that he thinks will do the job best, and he knows that it's no secret that I love playing further up and get on the scoresheet.

MF: Can you finally solve the mystery of what happened in the playoffs, did you hurt yourself while celebrating?
LM: No, I hurt myself in the first half. I was actually injured...

MF: And still scored that amazing goal.
LM: ... and then after that, it may have aggregated it. But there was no injury during celebration.

MF: After that, it was very disappointing how that ended.
LM: Obviously, it's tough. As a player, you never want to come off injured, you want to help your teammates. It's something that we can use, to learn from. The playoffs are so... it's just fine margins, right? Unfortunately, that day we were on the losing side of it, but we can use it as motivation for this year.

MF: I have to ask you about our great Scottish legend Mo Johnston, who coached this team for a while, then quit.
LM: Yeah.

MF: Is he still a big name in Scotland?
LM: I don't really have any opinions, to be honest. It was probably before my time.

MF: He played for both Rangers and Celtic, you're clearly on one side of that divide...
LM: I actually played for Rangers in the youth academy for ten years, so I played for both as well. I will keep my allegiances.

MF: The reputation outside of MLS is that players here are athletes first and tacticians second. You hear that about lower levels in the UK as well. Does that make you better suited to come to America than a guy from continental Europe?
LM: That's a tough one. I think lots of people have to say lots of things about our league without watching it. Things are changing around the league, it's getting better every year. So many representatives in the World Cup this year. It's an exciting time. I feel that my skill set lend myself well to here and hopefully it will continue to help this team be successful.