During the summer of 2013, Román Torres played at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field twice in a one-month span. One match was a FIFA World Cup qualifier, and the other was part of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“When we arrived the weather was a bit cold,” Torres said. “But it struck me as a beautiful city.”
Torres and the Panamanian National Team went on to finish second in the 2013 Gold Cup, thanks in part to the centerback’s game-winning goal in the semifinal against Mexico. He scored once again in the semifinal of this year’s tournament, although Panama had to settle for third place.
Now, after spending the last decade playing his club ball in Colombia, Torres is back in the Emerald City. The man Sounders FC General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey referred to as “one of the best defenders in CONCACAF” has signed with the Rave Green.
“I am very pleased,” Torres said through a translator. “I had fought to get to this point. I’m feeling happy to be in this great institution. I will give my best.
“I had been looking for an opportunity for a while, and luckily it happened to be here in MLS. I heard great things about the team. It’s a team that is always in the playoffs, always fighting on top of the standings. It gives me extra motivation to come here, work hard, earn a spot and do things well.”
Torres owns an impressive résumé on the club and international levels. The 29-year-old has 79 caps for the Panamanian National Team, including a pair of runner-up finishes at the Gold Cup and one Copa Centroamericana title (2009). He played for some of the best teams in Colombia and won a trio of championships along the way. On both the club and international stages, the veteran centerback has consistently served as his team’s captain.
Torres has often faced some of his now-Sounders FC teammates in regional tournaments, such as this summer’s Gold Cup, where he started all six of Panama’s matches. He has many friends that play in MLS, and those who he spoke with said it would be a wise move to join Sounders FC.
“They have told me good things, that it is a competitive league,” Torres said. “For me, it’s an honor to be here in MLS and above all, in such a great institution like Seattle.”
In addition to his reputation as a stout defender, Torres has proven to be a threat on set pieces with his ability to win aerial duels. He’s netted 32 goals in his club career and 12 goals for Panama. Having both Torres and Chad Marshall in the box could result in lots of scoring opportunities on set pieces for the Sounders.
No matter how the club asks him to contribute, Torres is focused on helping Seattle make a run at this year’s MLS Cup and more trophies in the future.
“I want to end up as champion,” he said. “That’s an objective I’ve outlined, now that I have been given the opportunity to be here: work hard to end up as champion with this team.”
Torres trained with the Sounders on Wednesday and could make his club debut this Sunday, when Seattle hosts expansion side Orlando City SC. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. PT on ESPN2.
