Houston Dynamo forward Erick “Cubo” Torres has been named to Mexico’s roster for the 2016 Olympics.
Torres, 23, just returned to Houston on Tuesday after spending the previous three weeks training with Mexico’s Under-23 national team to prep for the Rio games. Gold medalists at the 2012 Olympics, Mexico will play two more warmup matches before beginning their run in Brazil, taking on a local side in Zacatepec, Mexico, on July 19, before facing off with Argentina in Puebla July 28.
Mexico were drawn into Group C with Germany, South Korea and Fiji at the Olympics. They’ll open their gold medal defense on August 4 against Germany, take on Fiji on August 7 and conclude group play on August 10 against South Korea.
Torres is one of 15 U-23 players named to Mexico’s final roster. They’re joined by three overage players: Forward Oribe Peralta, defender Jorge Torres Nilo and goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.
Former Real Salt Lake defender and Real Salt Lake-Arizona academy product Carlos Salcedo, currently of Chivas, was also named to the roster.
Torres has no goals and one assist in seven league appearances (two starts) with the Dynamo this season. He hasn’t scored in MLS play since signing a Designated Player contract with Houston last year, tallying just two total assists in 18 regular season appearances dating back to his Dynamo debut last July.
Currently tied for last in the Western Conference, the Dynamo will return to MLS action on Friday at Orlando City (8 pm ET; UniMás in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). Houston will take on the Galaxy in LA next Friday, July 15.
