The Seattle Sounders will be without center back Roman Torres after the MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended the center back one match and fined him an undisclosed amount for “violent conduct” in Saturday’s 2-2 tie with the Montreal Impact. The incident happened in the 37th minute when Torres appeared to kick out at Ambroise Oyongo after the two collided at the top of the penalty area.
The suspension comes at an inopportune time, as the Sounders are still looking for their first win of the season are are facing a New York Red Bulls team that is expected to compete for the Eastern Conference crown. With Brad Evans still recovering from a preseason injury, Torres’ replacement will likely be one of Gustav Svensson or Tony Alfaro.
Svensson has started the first two games at right back, but could easily slide over with Oniel Fisher’s return from concussion. Svensson has mostly played as a defensive midfielder during his career but has experience as a center back.
Alfaro’s primary position is center back, but he has yet to start there in a MLS match and is relatively untested. He has, however, looked good when used there in reserve roles and performed ably in his one and only MLS start, which came as a left back.