2023 Orlando City Season in Review: Facundo Torres

Orlando City signed Uruguayan winger Facundo Torres as a Young Designated Player on Jan. 24, 2022. His contract runs through 2025 with an option for 2026 and he will now simply be a Designated Player without the “Young” part. Torres is an integral part of Orlando City’s attack, creating chances for both himself and his teammates.

His name is occasionally floated as a potential target for clubs in Europe, but so far there’s been nothing serious. Orlando City is fortunate to have Torres, no matter how long that ends up being. Let’s take a look at Torres’ second year with the Lions.

Statistical Breakdown

Torres took part in 30 regular-season games, with 28 starts, and recorded 2,377 minutes. He scored 14 goals on 65 shots, with 26 of those on target. Torres also provided four assists on the season, completing 797 of his 942 pass attempts (84.6%), and providing 47 key passes and 32 successful crosses. Defensively, he won 49.1% of his duels and 15.5% of his headed duels. Torres also finished with nine interceptions, 15 tackles, and four clearances. He committed 11 fouls, suffered 64 fouls, and earned two yellow cards.

Torres played in all three of Orlando City’s matches in the MLS Cup playoffs, starting all three and logging 290 minutes. He did not score a goal, but attempted 10 shots, putting two on target. Torres did not have any assists, but completed 124 of his 145 pass attempts (85.5%) and created 10 scoring chances and successfully found the target on two crosses. Defensively, Torres logged three tackles and a clearance. He committed no fouls, suffered four fouls, and earned no yellow cards.

Torres started both of the Concacaf Champions League games against Tigres UANL, playing 198 minutes. He didn’t record any goals or assists and only took three shots, with two on target. Torres completed 76 of 95 passes (80%) of his passes. 

In Leagues Cup, Torres started all three games and logged 270 minutes. He didn’t score any goals on eight shots, with only one on target, and provided one assist. He completed 96 of his 107 pass attempts (89.7%) with eight key passes. Defensively, he made three interceptions.

Torres started and played 90 in Orlando City’s U.S. Open Cup loss at Charlotte. As the Lions were shut out, the Uruguayan did not have a goal contribution and his only shot attempt was off target. He passed at just a 74.1% success rate but contributed a key pass in the match. Torres won half of his duels, did not commit or draw a foul, and was not booked.

Best Game

Torres’s best game came against the Colorado Rapids on June 10. Torres scored a goal and provided an assist in Orlando City’s 2-0 victory over the Western Conference foe. The goal was a typical left-footed shot from Torres, but fortunately it took a deflection and went in the back of the goal. 

On the assist, he found Ramiro Enrique through traffic at the top of the box and the young striker did the rest. 

Torres played a total of 89 minutes, completing 90.2% of his passes. His goal came on four shots, with two on target. Torres made two key passes, completed two of his three crosses, and committed one foul. Torres was named Man of the Match in our Player Grades and by Michael Citro and myself on The Mane Land PawedCast. He was also named to the MLS Team of the Matchday.

2023 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Torres a composite grade of 8 out of 10 for the 2023 MLS season. Torres also received an 8 out of 10 in 2022. He was so good in his first year that even though he was slightly better in 2023 he did not make as big a jump as I hoped he would. He is still developing a right foot to go along with his left, and there were still some matches in which he disappeared. That being said, he is still a difference maker for the Lions, and the club is better with him on the pitch.

2024 Outlook

Torres is signed through at least 2025, although I’ll be surprised if he stays that long. I’m fairly certain he will be with Orlando through the summer transfer window at the least unless something happens quickly prior to the start of Concacaf Champions Cup, but his prospects to move on will be contingent on his continued development. As long as he’s in Orlando, he’ll be a focal point of the Lions’ attack.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

• Alex Freeman: (11/29/23)
• Abdi Salim: (12/1/23)
• Kyle Smith (12/1/23)
• Junior Urso (12/5/23)
• Favian Loyola (12/7/23)
• Jack Lynn (12/8/23)
• Mason Stajduhar (12/9/23)
• Antonio Carlos (12/13/23)
• Felipe (12/14/23)
• Luca Petrasso (12/15/23)
• Ramiro Enrique (12/18/23)
• Gaston Gonzalez (12/20/23)
• Michael Halliday (12/21/23)
• Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (12/22/23)
• Ivan Angulo (12/25/23)
• Rodrigo Schlegel (12/28/23)
• Martin Ojeda (12/29/23)
• Rafael Santos (12/29/23)
• Duncan McGuire (12/30/23)
• Wilder Cartagena (1/1/24)