By: Nayib Morán
Dynamo’s Communications staff was happy with his arrival, the word in the BBVA Compass Stadium’s tunnels was that he’s a great guy. What was also part of the chit chat was of how cool it would be to see him do his robot celebration at the place he will start calling home starting next summer.
Erick “Cubo” Torres and Dynamo president Chris Canetti hold Cubo’s new jersey
Photo: Houston Dynamo
Erick “Cubo” Torres made a lightning appearance in Houston, TX, on Sunday afternoon. The Mexican forward, currently on a six-month loan with Liga MXs Chivas, toured the city and the stadium, talked to the media and ended his long day by meeting some of the Houston Dynamo fans.
Club president Chris Canetti told the media that it had been a long search to find a date that pleased all parts – Cubo, Chivas, and the Dynamo – to make Cubo’s official presentation. Chivas played last Friday in Torreon versus Santos and will not be back to training until Tuesday. There was no other way around, the presentation had to be Sunday, Feb. 8th.
Torres smiled as the Dynamo played on two TV screens, a mini intro of his goals scored in MLS. He was also greeted by a message read in Spanish by president Canetti.
“[Cubo’s signing] has been the most significant that we’ve made in our short history,” declared Canetti. Torres joins Hondurans Boniek Garcia, Alexander Lopez, Luis Garrido, Argentinean Leonel Miranda, Spaniard Raul Rodriguez, and Dynamo Academy product Memo Rodriguez as the team’s seven Spanish-speaking players. It’s the most in club history.”
Cubo’s career re-ignition started in Chivas USA where he scored 22 goals in 44 games. Before Chivas USA and MLS came into his life, Torres was a young, talented Mexican forward with a blurred future, but now he’s one of Mexico’s top, respected forwards. All that at only 22-years-old.
He has become Mexico’s ambassador in MLS.
“It’s a beautiful responsibility (to be Mexico’s ambassador in MLS), of which I accept and understand with a lot of joy.
“I’m really happy how everything has gone for me here and all of what I’ve accomplished. I hope I can keep breaking records and keep doing my job as best as I can,” he said.
When Canetti speaks, there’s a sense of reassurance that the team is on the right track, building a consolidated team that will be able to compete against the clubs that can bring the Kakas, Gerrards or Villas.
“We wanted a roster that was representative of this great city,” stated Canetti on this year’s roster, which will have Owen Coyle as its manager.
Coyle expects a lot from Torres and has talked about his excitement of having a chance to coach him as he has had success in the past coaching young forwards such as Daniel Sturridge or Jay Rodriguez.
On that topic Cubo recognized that he’s aware of the coaching staff’s excitement:
“I’m really happy of how the coaching staff has expressed on my arrival. I promise to work and in a few months, adapt to what he [Coyle] wants and how he wants me to play.
“I know that he has a lot of experience and a great curriculum. Without a doubt, I know I will learn a lot from him when I report to the team,” emphasized Torres.
In Mexico, Cubo has only played a total of 32 minutes with Chivas in Liga MXs Clausura, but feels calm about the situation.
“I’m working 100% every day to get more minutes. I have played in Copa MX and have done well with the the minutes I’ve been given.
“I haven’t had that much minutes in Liga MX, but I’m calm. I feel great mentally and physically on the pitch, so I’m ready to play whenever needed. I respect Chivas’ coaching staff decisions,” asserted Cubo.
This new year will be important for Cubo because on top of being the Dynamo’s no. 9, he will also represent Mexico’s U-23 and Senior National Teams.
“Important call-ups are ahead with the U-23s, which is coached by Raul “Potro” Gutierrez. I’m coming with a positive inertia since my time in the US and the Central American Games. I feel that my football is coming along pretty well and has made me feel important. I hope I can stay on the same line so I can keep being in Mexico’s National Team call-ups.”
Cubo heads back to Guadalajara, where his club is in the relegation zone and playing crunch games each week.
When he finally gets to wear Dynamo’s kit and step onto BBVA Compass Stadium’s pitch, the reality will be different. He will be in a club that wants to keep making history in MLS.
