Erick Torres was loaned to Chivas USA from the mother club in July 2013. He came in as a streaky and out-of-form 20-year-old. Torres had scored 14 goals on 65 caps with Chivas Guadalajara, but still had not been consistent with the first team. He is young, and just needed some regular minutes to be better evaluated as a player. Guadalajara loaned him out to their (for all intensive purposes) farm team. They do this all the time, nothing to see there.
He came into probably the most ignominious teams in MLS history: bad play on the field, league low attendance, being the little brother to the Galaxy, and then there’s the whole racism issue. Nobody other than Chivas fans had heard of this guy at the beginning of the season, and there was a strong chance a full season in MLS was not going change that. Again, nothing to see.
‘El Cubo’ took the Goats by storm, scoring 7 goal in 15 games, leading the club in scoring despite playing less than half a season. In 2014, he has 12 goals in 12 different games, and has started all 17 league games. With a wonder goal against RSL on June 28, becoming the all time leading MLS scorer among Mexican born players.
He and Dan Kennedy have single-handedly kept Chivas USA in games these past two seasons. Without them, Chivas would be in last place, by a long shot. It hasn’t all been pretty. The kid has been known to time waste here and there. He’s had an awkward moment here and there (Google “Erick Torres Leo Gonzalez”). But even though he’s playing with a young and less talented team than most, he keeps scoring goals. Some of them are garbage poacher goals, some have been golazos. He’s fun to watch and he’s always got a smile on his face. He played for any other team in MLS, he’d be a household name, a serious All Star candidate, and maybe more. If Chivas wasn’t at the bottom of the standings, he might even be an MVP dark horse.
I think he made enough noise last year and has had enough success this year, that he will be in contention for the All-Star Game. I will be voting for him, and I’m a Galaxy fan.
At the beginning of the year, MLS bought Chivas USA from Jorge Vergara. This past month, Chivas USA extended Erick Torres’s loan deal to the end of the 2014 season, with an option to buy after that. MLS (and by extension, Chivas USA) will have first dibs on buying Torres over other clubs.
MLS and Chivas need to prioritize keeping ‘El Cubo.’ While MLS has now had an extended period of success in being a pipe dream for players throughout Central America and the few decent Caribbean teams, we have not been able to recruit quality Mexican players. When we have gotten the top talent from Central America, it’s usually past their prime. Liga MX has consistently beaten MLS in CCL because they bring in CONCACAF and international talent in its prime. A Mexican DP who is a big name would be great, but there’s something to be said for a young kid coming into his own and reaching his prime in MLS. Torres could pave the way for future Mexican youth who aren’t getting that much time with the first team. He could be used as a marketing tool. Much like Victor Bernardez, he could even start recruiting his friends from back home and pitching the league to them.
From the Chivas side, he and Kennedy could be the start of a core that the new ownership group builds to get this team into the playoffs. Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera likes him. He seems extremely happy on the field. I don’t know if there’s been enough media coverage so far to conclude whether or not he’s happy and wants to stay long term.
Erick Torres should be in the top five of off season keeps for the MLS junkie. MLS should want him to stay. Chivas USA should want him to stay. And if Torres wants to stay, it’s another step in the right direction for the club, league, and soccer in America.
If Erick Torres stays and keeps improving, stop walking, there’s something to see here.
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