Roman Torres promised to be a different player when he returned from MLS suspension.
No one expected that to mean a goal-scorer.
The Sounders FC defender chopped his long dreads last week and sported a new fade Sunday as he made his first start since July after serving a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. It was a haircut that seemed to clear the way for a header in the opening half against Minnesota United FC that proved to be a game-winner at CenturyLink Field.
The play — Torres’ first goal in five MLS seasons, all as a Sounder — clinched a 1-0 victory as well as second place in Western Conference standings for Seattle (16-10-8).