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Seattle Sounders Anxiously Await Update on Roman Torres Injury

By Paul Taylor

Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; Seattle Sounders defender Roman Torres (29) leaves the field with a trainer after being hit in the face by a shot on goal by Toronto FC in the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; Seattle Sounders defender Roman Torres (29) leaves the field with a trainer after being hit in the face by a shot on goal by Toronto FC in the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Roman Torres suffered another injury at the weekend, and the Seattle Sounders now wait to find out how long they will be without the towering defender.

Heading into the 2017 season, we posed five questions that needed answering for the Seattle Sounders. Among them, we asked if Roman Torres could stay healthy?

Now, having met Torres in person and seen exactly how imposing his presence is, it should be pointed out this in not a criticism. More to the point, this is in no way meant to question his toughness.

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However, it doesn’t change the fact the 31-year old has struggled to stay on the pitch for the Sounders. In fact, he entered the 2017 campaign having only started 12 out of a possible 44 games, since arriving in Seattle.

Unfortunately, Torres suffered yet another injury at the weekend, in San José. As a result, he was substituted after just 15 minutes of the 1-1 tie against the Earthquakes.

The Sounders are calling the injury a left hamstring strain. However, as reported by Jeremiah Oshan of Sounder At Heart, head coach Brian Schmetzer does not know the seriousness of the injury at this stage:

"“No idea,” Schmetzer told the media. “We’ll get him home to Seattle and we’ll figure that out."

In theory, losing Torres for an extended period of time would be a significant blow for the Sounders. After all, it was clear how much the defense improved when he returned from his ACL injury last August, leading to an improbable MLS Cup triumph.

However, the reality is the Panamanian footballer has yet to recapture his form from last season. This indifferent start has been reinforced by missing two games already, through suspension and rest after international duty.

It has also helped that Gustav Svensson has looked extremely solid as a replacement. Further, it’s not as if the Rave Green aren’t used to playing without Torres.

Overall, there is no denying the Sounders’ chances of repeating as champions improve with Torres in the starting lineup. However, they should arguably be just fine during his absence.

Next: 5 Questions for the Sounders to Answer in 2017

How concerned are you about the potential loss of Torres? Are you confident the Sounders will be fine without him, or would a lengthy absence mean the end of their hopes to repeat as MLS Cup champions? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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