It was only yesterday morning when fans and reporters were lamenting the lack of offensive power for the Houston Dynamo, unsure when Mexican International Erick "Cubo" Torres would join his club due to a litany of legal troubles in Mexico. It seemed like things could go on forever, and the young striker wouldn't join the team until the season would be unsalvageable.
It's amazing how the day can be brightened up once the sun goes down.
Major League Soccer announced late Thursday that Torres has been cleared to join the Houston Dynamo on a permanent basis as their second Designated Player. Torres will begin training with the team immediately and likely make his debut against Sporting KC in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, July 21, at Sporting Park.
The Dynamo purchased the talented striker in the winter transfer window from Mexican side CD Guadalajara after his loan stint with the now defunct Chivas USA ended. Torres was sent to Guadalajara on loan for six months, where he featured heavily in the Copa MX (their version of the US Open Cup), leading his side to the final. Torres was also instrumental in helping his side stave off relegation when he scored a pair of goals off the bench against Puebla in a 2 - 1 victory.
As his loan stint wound down, Torres was accused of rape after a party he and some teammates had. The District Attorney's office performed an investigation but found insufficient evidence to prosecute. MLS hired a firm to perform their own investigation and their results matched the governments. With Torres cleared of any wrongdoing, he can now put that dark episode of his life behind him.
Famously, goalkeeper Tyler Deric had his own legal issues in Houston that nearly ended his career. It's hopeful that the Deric can sit down with the youngster and show him how to put that behind him and get back in the game.
For the Dynamo, Torres joins the team at a vital time. Star striker Giles Barnes is away at the Gold Cup where he has lead his national team to a quarterfinal appearance. Will Bruin is very hot and cold for the club and the rest of the strike force is either lacking or inexperienced (though promising). If Torres can find the form he previously had in MLS, 22 goals in 44 games, the Dynamo could be the resurgent team this season. The talent is undeniably there. Now it's a question of how quickly Torres can integrate with his new club and put the past behind him.