Sounders FC center back Román Torres shied away from giving an updated timeline on his return to the field in comments made to the media in his native Panama this week, and insisted he’s not rushing his recovery from an ACL injury sustained in September.
Torres spoke to the media on Monday following his second day of limited training with the Panamanian national team, which included different recovery exercises with the team’s medical staff. He’s expected to return to the United States in early January and continue his rehabilitation in Seattle.
“In Seattle they are happy with my progress,” Torres said, adding that his family has served as his main source of motivation during the recovery.
Torres, 29, signed with the Sounders in August and played four games for the club before sustaining a torn ACL during a match on Sept. 12. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter and has since offered personal glimpses into his recovery, most notably sharing photos on his Twitter feed earlier this month.
Sounders GM and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said in September that ACL injuries typically require six to nine months for recovery, and said earlier this month that Torres had cleared the first stage of his recovery, adding that “everything looks pretty good structurally.”
Dr. Gerinaldo Martinez, the team doctor for the Panamanian Football Federation, said Monday that he thinks Torres’ recovery is ahead of schedule, but also preached patience as the hulking defender inches back from such a serious setback.
"I think that Román is above expectations in his recovery,” Martinez said. “Román is strong and is complying fully in his recovery, but we must be patient with this type of injury.”
