Houston Dynamo forward Erick “Cubo” Torres was waiting for this moment four years ago, but it never came.
He didn’t make the final cut.
Like the rest of his nation, Torres watched with delight as the Mexico Under-23 national team won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, but the triumph was bittersweet because he narrowly missed out on a roster spot.
On Thursday, the 23-year-old's moment finally arrived. He made the final cut.
Torres was one of 18 players named to Mexico’s roster for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He’s also the only MLS player, and the only one outside of Liga MX to make the squad.
Shortly after landing in Orlando, Florida, where the Dynamo will face Orlando City Friday night (8 pm ET; UniMás), Torres said he could barely find the words to express his happiness. For him, playing in the Olympics is a childhood dream.
“I’m happy,” said Torres. “My face doesn’t show it right now, but inside I’m filled with many emotions and I’m happy to be on the roster that will represent my country and try to repeat in winning a gold medal like in London. I’m happy to be able to represent the Houston Dynamo and MLS.”
The Mexican international made the roster despite only having seven MLS appearances this season (two starts), amassing 225 minutes with no goals and one assist. Torres, who arrived in Houston earlier this week after spending three weeks in a training camp with Mexico’s U-23s, says he’s ready to play if called upon.
“I come from the Mexico Under-23s feeling physically and emotionally fit, and I’ve played games,” said Torres after Thursday’s practice, hours before finding out he was on Mexico’s Under-23 roster. “I played three games, four if you count an intra-squad scrimmage, so I’m in rhythm and if Wade and the coaching staff decide I’ll play, I know I can help the team.”
Torres said the process to getting to the Olympics was a lengthy one that started four years ago.
“It was international tournaments, friendlies, trips to Mexico City, and it was always with the same idea and mentality to end up on the final list of 18 players,” said Torres. “We played in the Olympic qualifiers and the Pan American Games and finally, it concludes with these Olympics.”
Torres, who notched three goals at the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament on his way to a Best XI nod, said the competition to be on this list was stiff.
“There was a huge internal competition with lots of high-quality players,” said Torres, “and I had to compete with them on a daily basis to earn this spot.”
Torres just rejoined his Dynamo teammates, but he could soon be on his way back to Mexico, where the U-23s have a pair of warm-up matches before departing for Rio.
Making the squad provides Cubo with a measure of personal redemption. Now, he and his teammates will try to fill their compatriots with the same emotions they shared four years ago.
