Soccer <\/p>\n
The 25-year-old Uruguay international is MLS-proven as\u00a0Orlando City<\/a>‘s all-time leading scorer; he also led the Lions to the 2022 US Open Cup title<\/a> and the 2024 Eastern Conference Final.<\/p>\n Now, after a year playing for Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, he considers himself a much more complete player than the one who departed Orlando for a club-record fee<\/a> (reportedly up to $14 million) in December 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true I did well in Orlando. But honestly, playing in Brazil helped me grow even more,\u201d Torres told reporters Thursday morning during his introductory press conference at Q2 Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe national team also gives you experience, but the Brazilian [league] allowed me to grow a lot more and bring more experience to Austin.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Let’s get to work. \ud83d\udcf8 pic.twitter.com\/whFPO6txls<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Austin FC (@AustinFC) January 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n The Verde & Black hope that experience fuels a strong second season under head coach Nico Est\u00e9vez.\u00a0<\/p>\n By all measures, 2025 was a success for Austin. The club reached the US Open Cup<\/a> final and returned to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs after a two-year absence.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, they scored a Western Conference-low 37 goals, with DP attackers Myrto Uzuni<\/a> (6g\/3a) and Osman Bukari (3g\/7a) struggling to shoulder the offensive load amid a long-term knee injury to\u00a0USMNT<\/a> striker and fellow DP Brandon Vazquez<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n Bukari was dealt<\/a> to Polish side Widzew \u0141\u00f3d\u017a in December, opening the DP slot Torres now fills. They further bolstered the attack this winter by acquiring<\/a> Canadian international forward Jayden Nelson<\/a> from Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is obviously a very good team. That helped convince me to come here,\u201d said Torres, who arrives for a reported $9.5 million transfer fee.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201c\u2026 With the team that we have, it\u2019s not going to be a problem improving that stat (goals).\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Austin sporting director Rodolfo Borrell is just as confident, noting Torres is as close to a sure-thing signing as can be, given his MLS track record.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a player with a very clear record in this league. This is a very particular league, very difficult \u2013 much more difficult than what people think,” Borrell said.<\/p>\n “Sometimes, one of the biggest problems for players coming from abroad is that they think it\u2019s a very easy league, and they soon find out it\u2019s totally different.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 He [Torres] has the ideal combination of quality, finishing, assists and, more than anything, commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n En su nueva casa. \ud83c\udfe1 pic.twitter.com\/fC7HMcYiUF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Austin FC (@AustinFC) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Torres is stepping into the Austin spotlight at a pivotal moment in his international career, with Uruguay readying for this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> in the United States, Canada and Mexico.\u00a0<\/p>\n Torres revealed he spoke with head coach Marcelo Bielsa\u2019s staff before agreeing to the move, a clear indication that his inclusion in La Celeste\u2019s World Cup squad will depend primarily on his performances with Austin.<\/p>\n \u201cThey gave me their opinion, and based on that and what I was thinking, I made my decision,\u201d said Torres, who has 22 caps. \u201cBut the national team is something very important for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Now, it\u2019s up to Torres to deliver.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI have the highest of hopes,\u201d Torres said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n \n
Missing piece<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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World Cup in sight<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n