Torres arrived in Colorado as their first ever DP.
Panamanian striker and new Colorado rapids DP Gabriel Torres is undergoing extra conditioning work to get his body and lungs adjusted to to his new home’s mile-high altitude.
Torres made his debut for the Rapids last Saturday against the Vancouver Whitecaps and played 78 minutes in the game, which Colorado won 2-0 thanks to a Deshorn Brown header and Edson Buddle’s deflected shot.
Playing home games at a high altitude is a first for Torres, so the 24 year-old is spending his bye week concentrating on conditioning and bonding with his new teammates.
Torres showed signs of fatigue midway through the second half on his debut, and is aiming to improve on his fitness to adapt to the altitude.
“I’m working specifically in the gym to get better for the next game so I can be fully ready physically,” Torres told MLSsoccer.com after practice on Wednesday. “I already feel more comfortable, I’m more adjusted to the altitude and hopefully I can continue taking care of myself better.”
Torres hopes to get in shape to bring goals for the Rapids in the final eight games of the season, and maintain the club’s nine game unbeaten run, which has seen them climb the ranks to second in the Western Conference, three points behind Real Salt Lake.
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