Cubo Torres starts for Mexico in Gold Cup play

Mexico drew 0-0 with Jamaica on Thursday night in Colorado, a boring game from a neutral’s perspective and one that ultimately served little purpose aside from giving the two squads a point each in Gold Cup group play. Not an especially memorable game.

It did, however, feature the presence of Houston Dynamo striker Erick Torres, who got the start up top for El Tri in his first competitive appearance and first senior cap in two years. He played 90 minutes, his main highlight being a glancing header in the 22nd-minute that hit the post.

There was a brief time in the first half that Cubo went down with an apparently bleeding wrist and had to be attended to by trainers, but he was able to be patched up and continue.

Torres was selected to Mexico’s Gold Cup roster (already a B team due to their Confederations’ Cup appearance in June) as an injury replacement for Alan Pulido, mostly thanks to his hot start with the Dynamo in MLS. He did not play in their opener against El Salvador.

The 24-year old had been a member of Mexico’s U-23 team in the past, and played in a couple of first team friendlies two years ago after excelling with Chivas USA under Wilmer Cabrera. His lack of playing time with the Dynamo under Owen Coyle and Wade Barrett halted his progress with the national team.

12 goals this season under Cabrera helped him make Juan Carlos Osorio’s Gold Cup preliminary squad, and some luck went his way when a spot opened for him. He was unable to completely take advantage of it against Jamaica, but will likely have more opportunities in the coming games, as El Tri take on Curacao in their final group game and will then progress to the quarterfinals.