Around MLS: Houston’s Torres finds a groove under Cabrera
Erick Torres seems to have recaptured his old form now that he’s been reunited with coach Wilmer Cabrera.
Known as Cubo, Torres has three goals this season for the Houston Dynamo. He’s been nominated for the league’s goal of the week honors twice.
The Mexican striker had a breakout season under Cabrera back in 2014 when both were with the now-defunct Los Angelesarea team Chivas USA. He scored 15 goals in 29 starts and made the MLS All-Star team.
In three games so far for Houston this season under Cabrera, Torres has been unstoppable.
“There’s no doubt, to have someone that knows me, to have someone that has confidence in me, that trusts me, it has really helped out,” Torres said through a translator. “I think me and all the players are really happy with the coaching staff, with all the work they’ve been doing, and they’re going to help us get the results that the team needs.”
After Chivas’ demise, Torres was signed by the Dynamo as a designated player. He spent six months of 2015 on loan to his hometown club Guadalajara before joining Houston for the 2015 U.S. Open Cup. But Torres struggled to recapture his Chivas form.
The Dynamo had issues overall, too. Last season the team finished 7-1413 for 10th in the Western Conference, well out of the playoff picture.
Houston parted with coach Owen Coyle in the midst of last season. In late October the team brought in Cabrera from the USL’s Rio Grande Valley in hopes of returning to playoffs for the first time since 2013.
“Erick has the talent, and if he’s motivated the way he is, he’s going to get better and better,” Cabrera said. “Now we have to be sure that it’s not individual work, it’s a collective effort, because that’s the most important. In the end, the team is the most important.”
Torres has scored in each of Houston’s three matches, the first time since 2014 he’s scored in three consecutive games. He has 25 goals for his career, leading all Mexican-born scorers in MLS.
The Dynamo are 2-1-0 to start the season, and the team’s seven total goals are third most in the league. Torres said that this season he’s developed a good chemistry with forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto.
“We match up really well, Quioto, Elis and myself. We can score and we’ve done things to help the team succeed, and I know that we’re going to keep working and we’re going to keep on getting better,” Torres said. “I know that we’re all going to come to come together and we’re all going to be able to do what is right, not only for us but for the team as well.”