SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Quakes and the Dynamo don’t need an introduction, but San Jose’s match in Houston on Saturday will bring a new element to the rivalry: Mexican international striker Erick “Cubo” Torres. The 22-year-old Designated Player is set to make his third appearance for the Dynamo and his second at BBVA Compass Stadium after making his long-awaited MLS debut against the LA Galaxy on July 25 as a 69th minute substitute. As the Quakes aim for three points against their Western Conference foes, we take a closer look at Torres and what to expect from him against San Jose.
Who is Erick “Cubo” Torres?
Club: Houston Dynamo
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 168 lbs
Birth Date: 1-19-1993
Birthplace: Guadalajara, Mexico
Cubo the Goal Scorer
In 2014, Erick Torres made a name for himself as one of the league’s most prolific scorers. In a combined 44 matches with recently disbanded Chivas USA, the 2014 MLS All-Star tallied 22 goals in two seasons for the Goats. Not only did he find the back of the net, but he was consistently in the Goal of the Week conversation thanks to a memorable bicycle kick in Vancouver and an acrobatic near post strike against the Montreal Impact. In his debut against the Galaxy, Torres looked as dangerous as ever in front of goal after missing just wide of the far post from an across-the-body strike.
Drawing Attention Up Top
Torres doesn’t just score goals: He helps create them, too. In 21 minutes of action against the Galaxy, “Cubo” was looking to create for his new teammates. In one of his first touches of the match, Torres laid off a one-time ball to Davis on top of the box, whose shot trickled just wide of goal. The Dynamo’s third goal, though tallied by Leonel Miranda, was ignited by Torres’ activity in front of the Galaxy backline. In hopes of collecting the ball in mid-stride, Torres drew his defender out left to make room for the run of Miranda in the middle of the park. Although he’s tallied just two assists in 46 games, his movement up top creates space for his teammates. Combining him up front with Jamaican international Giles Barnes will give Houston a dangerous threat in the final third Saturday night against the Quakes.
