Roman Torres (pictured) should be fit for Panama World Cup qualifiers in October 2017. (Photo: Mexsport)
SEATTLE, Washington – The entire country of Panama can breathe a collective sigh of relief with the news that national team defender Roman Torres has avoided a right-knee injury.
The Seattle Sounders defender had to be substituted in the 78th minute of Seattle’s 3-0 home win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday, but x-rays a day later revealed no damage.
“He’s a tough kid and he’ll be fine. It was a sore knee,” said Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer. “His knee was flaring up a bit; sometimes that happens on turf, he’s been putting in the work during games so it was precautionary. He’ll be fine.”
Torres, 31, was named to Panama’s roster for key World Cup qualifiers against the fourth-place host United States (2W-3D-3L, 9 points) on October 6 in Orlando, Florida, and second-place visitor Costa Rica (4-3-1, 15) on four days later.
Panama (2-4-2, 10), which has never qualified for the World Cup, sits third in the Hexagonal table.
