Saying all the right things: Facundo Torres meets the Austin media

While the first press conference you have as an incoming player is typically the easiest — especially when you're a designated player coming to Austin FC — Facundo Torres understood the assignment, and aside from wearing sunglasses indoors, aced the initial exam in front of the media.

He's coming back to MLS in part because it's a personal and family decision.

Playing soccer in Brazil helped him develop his game, meaning he comes back to MLS better than he was when he was with Orlando City, which was bubbling right under All-Star level.

He describes the team he's coming onto as a "very good team" that he's "happy with" and can make a "bit better."

And he, of course, was impressed with the stadium and the fans in it when he played there, and confirmed all the good things about Austin with former teammate and Verde fan favorite Felipe Martins.

While we didn't learn much about Torres other than he knows the role — and that he's going to wear No. 11 (opposite Jayden Nelson wearing No. 7, which Jáder Obrian's exit to allow Torres to be Senior Player 20 and not Senior Player 21) — here's what we did get.

Thanks to Austin FC Communications for doing the Spanish-to-English translations here.

Is Facundo Torres bound for Austin FC? And do the charts think that’s a good idea?

Is Facundo Torres coming to Austin FC? And does that make sense given who got brought in during the offseason so far?

Verde All DayPhil West

On being sold on the Austin FC project

"Obviously it’s a very good team," Torres said. "That is a bit of what convinced me to come here."

Then, talking about Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell and head coach Nico Estévez's roles in convincing him to come to Austin, "Rodo presented to me the project that they have. Rodo and Nico made me happy about the team and that was one of the things that convinced me. I believe that with the team that we have, it is not going to be a problem this year to make that statistic a bit better."

And to further endear himself to everyone ...

"The truth is that I know Austin quite well," Torres said. "I had various teammates who have played here, and in talking with Rodo I knew there were a lot of Argentines who have played here. That incentivized me a little bit to look at the team. Also Diego Fagundez was here, another Uruguayan, so I watched the team quite a bit. When I came to play here with Orlando, I loved the stadium, it’s a very beautiful stadium. It’s a family decision to come here, to a new project, and hopefully it goes really well."

And as to how he'll acclimate?

"For this year here in Austin, I can give my all and not lack anything,' he said. "But more than anything, whatever the coach asks of me is what I will do. I think in the final quarter of the field, from there forward, that’s where the intention is going to be to improve a little bit as your colleague said. There are a lot of good players here who can do a very good job.

"From Palmeiras, what I bring here is what I told him, a bit more experience," he added. "I already know the league, and it went well in Orlando. It’s obviously a totally different step here in Austin but knowing the league already will help me feel a bit calmer at the start of the season."

Torres did also admit that he's angling for a place on Uruguay's World Cup team; like his new winger partner Nelson, he's not a shoo-in to make the final roster but he's decidedly in the mix.

And in what role he'll have?

"I play whatever position the coach wants me to be in," Torres said, agreeably. "I’m not someone that says no, I won’t play that position and have to stay in one place. I don’t like that. Wherever the coach feels I’ll play my best game, that’s where I’ll be. If I have to score, I’ll score, I don’t have an issue with that. I feel more comfortable on the right, or loosely behind the 9, but I’ve also played a lot on the left. Wherever Nico tells me to play, I’ll play."

Facu, we really need you to step in and play defensive midfielder tonight! (I keeed, I keeed)

Why Rodo chose him

Borrell chose Torres for a rather pointed reason that perhaps speaks to past Verde signings (including ones that he brought into the team).

"Because he’s a player with a proven track record in our league. We have a very particular league, it’s very difficult, more difficult than people realize. One of the issues with players coming from abroad is that they believe it’s an easy league, but then they realize that it’s completely different. He has a very evident track record that’s consistent in scoring goals and making assists. Not just that, but to me it’s important that a [designated player] (who already has special qualities) has work ethic. I believe he contributes just that in an immense way.

"Personally, I don’t like DPs that believe that just because they’re a DP, it means they shouldn’t be moving around the field and are entitled to the ball at all times — the league has plenty of that," he added. (Cue eyes emoji.) I believe [Torres] has the ideal combination of quality, finalization, assists, and delivery."

Then, he added, "The minimum requirement is delivery and giving it their all for every match, and I believe he has that. From here on, everyone wants to score plenty of goals and sometimes it happens, other times it doesn’t, but the delivery has to be there so he fits the profile."

He also endorsed Torres based on his recent track record.

"I always have the highest expectations; that’s why we bring these players. I think he’s a player that has shown what he’s capable of in this league, especially recently. We’re not talking about seven or eight years ago. It’s only been a year. He performed for three years [in MLS] consistently. From here on out, it depends entirely on him.

"I’m convinced that he’ll give it his all, as well as alongside the coaches, who have to bring the best out in him. Like he has said, he has played in three different attacking positions. Evidently, every player feels more comfortable in some positions over others, but it’s true that he’s shown versatility. The coaches, together with him, are the ones that have to decide what position is best for him to play at and where it’ll be the most productive for him and for the team."

On quality of life

Torres also made it sound like living in the U.S. was preferable to living in Brazil, somewhat harkening back to comments former Verde DP Sebastián Driussi made contrasting living in Buenos Aires playing with River Plate and living in Austin as a Verde player.

"We lived in Orlando before moving to Brazil, and it’s totally different here. The U.S. is very calm; families can walk around safely. It’s not as chaotic as it
could be living in São Paulo; the transit and smaller stuff like out in public, you’re disrupted a lot. I don’t have anything bad to say about the league; to me, the Brazilian league is top level in the world. However, out in public for my family it’s completely different living in Orlando vs. São Paolo. We struggled a bit and it’s one of the reasons why we came back. The days we’ve been here we’ve already been more relaxed, so it was a family and personal decision to come back to this league."

He also said, "With my family, I’m with my little girl, who honestly is the one who decides what to do with our free time. We dedicate our free time to her." Relatable.

He's already noticed you

Finally, he knows you're good fans, and not just because of what Felipe told him.

"The stadium is very beautiful and when I came with Orlando, that’s something we discussed as players, about how beautiful the stadium is. The fans also are very passionate, which was something that also influenced my decision in coming here, because the fans are always here for the team and it’s something that brings us joy and I hope we can do the same for them."

Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.