Marshall and Torres are both physically imposing, opponents-sent-sprawling types of defenders. There are a couple of subtle contrasts, sure, but both of them are cut from the same cloth.
Sports partnerships are often defined by their balance, metaphorical yins and yangs.
Think of the Seahawks safeties: the blunt-force trauma of Kam Chancellor on one side, Earl Thomas’ comparatively cerebral read for the game on the other. Basketball backcourts are also often crafted with an eye for complementary parts – pure scorers and lock-down defenders, shooters vs. slashers.
The Sounders midfield has thrived when interim coach Brian Schmetzer lines Cristian Roldan up next to Osvaldo Alonso in defensive midfield, the second-year glue guy freeing up the veteran for a more aggressive role.