There’s not much about the current MLS season that Houston Dynamo forward Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres can look back on and smile about — or the Dynamo for that matter.
Torres, a Designated Player, has only appeared in nine games and logged 324 minutes of action. He hasn't scored and has just one assist.
Outside of MLS, however, Torres has been flashing that trademark grin a little more. The Mexican international represented his country at the 2016 Olympics, where El Tri couldn’t duplicate their 2012 performance, which saw them take the gold medal. Nonetheless, his time in Rio for the summer games was memorable.
“It was a great experience being there and hanging out with the other Olympians. It’s an experience that’s going stays with me forever,” said Torres on a phone call from San Jose, California, where he joined the Dynamo ahead of their clash with the Earthquakes on Friday (10 p.m. CT, UniMás). “But in the end, it’s sad and frustrating because we didn’t get a medal or reach the goal we gave ourselves a while back.”
Despite Mexico’s group-stage exit, Torres said being at the Olympics has matured him on a personal level. But that is not all that Torres will take from this Olympic ride, which started nearly four years ago when he was cut from the 2012 Mexican Olympic squad.
“Soccer-wise, I take many things," said Torres. "It’s to keep working, learning from mistakes, learning that as a team you can’t let up, not even for a little bit. And that it’s important to finish off rivals in key moments.
“There’s many factors that I take with me that I will use when in future international competitions or even here with the team. It’s going to be very important to translate that life experience to this team.”
That experience could come in handy sooner rather than later.
“When Erick gets back from the Olympics, he is going to play a bigger role,” said Dynamo head coach Wade Barrett after a 0-0 draw vs. San Jose on July 31.
Torres said that hearing that from his coach motivates and excites him.
“Since I got here I haven’t had the minutes that I’ve wanted or the playing time that I desire so I can get in game rhythm and log some games,” said Torres.
Torres is still in search of that elusive first goal as a Dynamo player and, just like Houston, he’s trying to salvage what’s left of this season with the 11 remaining games.
“I think it’s going to be very important to finish [the season] strong, with good trainings and games,” said Torres. “And with illusion and hope, because mathematically this team can still enter the playoffs, and if we close strong, anything can happen.”
