Futbol MLS has nominated Seattle Sounders center back Román Torres for the 2017 MLS Latino del Año, or the league’s top Hispanic player.
The reigning Latino del Año, Torres started 21 matches this season to help form one of the league’s best center back pairings with Chad Marshall. Torres also helped his native Panama qualify for its first FIFA World Cup by scoring the game-winning goal on the final day of qualification.
Torres, 31, became the third Sounder to win the award since it was founded in 2010, joining Fredy Montero (2010) and Marco Pappa (2014). Latino del Año is not an official league award, but is a recognition voted on by Futbol MLS readers.
Torres is joined by Atlanta United’s Josef Martínez, New York City FC’s Yangel Herrera, Real Salt Lake’s Jefferson Savarino, Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón, the Portland Timbers’ Diego Valeri and the Houston Dynamo’s Erick “Cubo” Torres and Alberth Elis.
