Torres set to join Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake's defense got a big and unexpected boost Monday.

Two weeks ahead of schedule, Costa Rican defender Daniel Torres received his U.S. work visa stamp of approval, and will be joining the team at training camp in Orlando on Tuesday evening.

Torres played in 16 games last year before a freak foot injury on July 15 sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Prior to his injury, RSL coach John Ellinger said Torres was the team's MVP at his central defender role.

Ellinger plans on switching to a 3-5-2 formation this year, and assuming Torres is healthy, he's the first choice left back in Real's three-man defense. Originally, when Torres wasn't expected to meet with U.S. Embassy officials until Feb. 26, Ellinger didn't expect to have his three first choice defenders of Torres, Eddie Pope and Jack Stewart on the field together until Torres joined up with the team at training camp in Madrid on Feb. 26.

Now, however, there's a good chance Torres will see some playing time this week with three exhibition games on tap against MLS teams. Real is scheduled to play the Columbus Crew in Tampa on Thursday, followed by games in Orlando against the Chicago Fire on Friday and then the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com