The US Under-23 national team won't be taking part in this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but Mexico's will – and Houston Dynamo striker Erick “Cubo” Torres is on track to lead the line.
Cubo started for Mexico's U-23 side in a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday night in a friendly played amid torrential rains at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Recent Chivas signing Marco Bueno scored El Tri's goal, but Torres was active and dangerous up top despite seeing limited MLS minutes for Houston this season.
The match wrapped up a three-week pre-Olympic training camp for Mexico; Torres scored in each of the squad's other two friendlies earlier in the camp, wins over club sides Pumas and Club America.
Gold medal winners at London 2012, Mexico open their title defense against Germany on Aug. 4 at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador.
Starting lineups, Mexico vs. Nigeria
MEXICO: Gudiño; Briseño, Montes, Abella, Pizarro, Cisneros, Gutierrez, Cota, Guzman, Zaldivar, Torres
NIGERIA: Daniel, Muenfuh, Amuzie, Muhammed, Ajayi, Popoola, Godwin, Okechukwu, Keigo, Awoniyi, Efflong
