Seattle, Washington — After four seasons in Seattle, Román Torres is moving onto a new phase in his life. The Panama native announced on his personal social media that he is leaving the Seattle Sounders.
Torres joined the club in 2015. Born in Panama City, Torres featured for clubs like La Equidad and Atlético Nacional, which are both based in Colombia. Torres did not say where he will end up next, but said he is not retiring. In his four seasons in MLS, Torres made 66 regular season appearances, starting 52 matches.
He scored his first-ever goal against Minnesota United this year. His goal was significant, as it came after serving a 10-match suspension due to violating the MLS PED policy.
Meanwhile, aside from the suspension, Torres had a bumpy 2019 season. He took a backseat to starters Kim Kee-hee and Chad Marshall. Then, once Marshall retired due to countless injuries, the suspension struck. The Sounders brought in Designated Player and Ecuadorian international Xavier Arreaga. However, the two split time starting alongside Kim during the last slew of regular and post-season matches.
Torres also got the nod in the MLS Cup Championship match, which Seattle claimed just two weeks ago. In his statement on social media, Torres said he will always be a Sounders fan.
“I want to thank the Sounders organization for giving me the opportunity to join the team in 2015, and most of all, for making me feel part of this family since the first moment me and my family arrived at the United States,” Torres wrote. “I would also like to thank all the staff.. all of you always were there for help me whenever I needed.”
Exactly one week ago…. the 2019 @MLS champion was crowned. 👑@romantorres05 | #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/uNtPk7Cx7r
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) November 17, 2019
A True Family in Seattle
Torres said his group of teammates were truly a family.
“This group is a family and you know how much I appreciate all of you. Thanks for helping me be a better player and a person. Thanks for everything and keep making history for this team. All the best on what’s coming next on your careers.”
To the Sounders fans, who he also considered family, Torres called them “simply unforgettable.”
“All the love and support you have shown to me and my family is something I will always have in my heart,” Torres continued. “Saying THANK YOU may not be enough for all the love received throughout the years. I came here with big expectations, and now, after more than four years, three Conference Championships and two MLS Cups, I can look back and feel proud of what we have achieved together.”
Last Words: It’s Business as Usual
Soccer, just like other sports, is a business.
General managers and coaches must do what they can to make the team better. There was no elephant in the room when it came to Torres. The veteran was getting older. He even spent the first half of the season with the Tacoma Defiance.
For Torres, his journey in Seattle will always be remembered. He’ll be remembered as the guy dancing after winning the MLS Cup and emotionally embracing his family after a challenging year. However, the Sounders knew that he was getting up in age and that it was time to move on. In soccer, it’s a move that provides no ill-will. Instead, it’s just business as usual.
As someone who’s been a veteran for quite some time, Torres knows this.
THANK YOU / GRACIAS @SoundersFC @soundersfc_es @futbolMLS #sounders pic.twitter.com/gyJt3fXteL
— Román Torres (@romantorres05) November 22, 2019
