Major League Soccer has suspended and fined Seattle Sounders FC defender Román Torres for violating the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (SABH) Policy by testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres is suspended for 10 MLS games, effective immediately, and has been fined 20 percent of his annual salary.
Per the CBA, during his suspension, Torres may not participate in team trainings or use team training facilities (unless rehabilitating an injury under the direction of team training or medical staff), he may not participate in tournaments, friendlies or scrimmages, and he may not attend team events, including team appearances.
In preparation for his return, Torres may train with, but not appear in games for, Seattle Sounders FC’s USL affiliate team no earlier than 14 days prior to the first MLS game in which he is eligible to play.
For clarity, Torres will be suspended for the following MLS matches:
Aug. 4: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
Aug. 10: Seattle Sounders FC vs. New England Revolution
Aug. 14: Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Aug. 17: LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Aug. 23: Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Sept. 1: Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy
Sept. 7: Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Sept. 15: Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls
Sept. 18: Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas
Sept. 22: D.C. United vs. Seattle Sounders FC
He will be eligible to return on Sept. 29 when Seattle travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes.
