By DAN KARELL
Erick “Cubo” Torres might be staying Major League Soccer, but there’s a good chance that he leaves Southern California all together.
According to a report in Goal USA, the Houston Dynamo are out front in the race to sign the former Chivas USA forward. The report states that while both the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy passed on signing Torres, the Dynamo have stepped forward and are willing to trigger the $7.5 million purchase clause in Torres’ loan contract with MLS.
The reason for the delay on Torres’ decision, the report says, is that MLS was waiting for a “suitable buyer” to appear. The Chicago Fire were also at one point in the running, but decided to focus on other targets in their Designated Player search.
An interesting note is that the $7.5 million transfer fee could be lowered if Chivas de Guadalajara decide to bring Torres back for the Clausura season. Chivas just endured another miserable campaign and are in serious danger of being relegated, which would be a travesty for arguably Mexico’s most popular club.
(UPDATE- Chivas Guadalajara announced on Wednesday night that Torres will join the club for the next six months, which suggests an agreement has been reached with MLS. No other details have emerged yet.)
If Chivas bring Torres into the first team this winter, he could return to MLS after the Clausura campaign in late-spring or in the summer.
The 21-year-old Torres is coming off a breakout season in what ended up being Chivas USA’s final year of existence. Torres scored 15 goals in 29 games, and even broke into the Mexican National Team this past fall in their first few friendly matches since the World Cup.
The Dynamo on the other hand are rebuilding under new coach Owen Coyle, and could use a serious boost up front after scoring struggles between Will Bruin and Giles Barnes.
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What do you think of these developments? Surprised to see the Dynamo go after Torres? Where do you see Torres playing as of March?
Share your thoughts below.
Gotta love Liga MX. “Chivas de Guadalajara ‘might’ be relegated?” They finished third to last, behind even Universidad de Gaudelajara. According to FMF “rules,” bottom three go down, period. Unless of course you want to pay us some money? To not get relegated?
Kind of the same process as when you get pulled over for “speeding” in Tijuana. “we can take you into the station, or if you’d like, we can deal with this problem right here, right now. I’m just going to put this poor, thin envelope down right here by your steering wheel and go over by that tree for a minute to light my cigarette. I hope that envelope looks much fatter when I get back!”
Bottom three do not go down. The team that has the lowest average points per game over the last three seasons goes down.
I stand corrected.
“according to FMF rules” but that’s wrong.
I’ll be curious to see who pays the transfer fee. As I recall (but who knows because rules are so convoluted) that MLS chips in to help pay transfer fees for players of strategic importance (ie Dempsey). Considering how well Cubo has done in the league and his potential as an El-Tri player, I’m sure MLS is actively working to ensure someone signs up for Cubo even if that means they help offset the fee, and especially if it is a team like Houston where he will be perceived as a draw.
Great point.
If he doesnt fit that catagory, after the Spanish language ratings of the MLS Cup Final, almost noone dies.
Something (potentially) nice for the Dynamo!?
It must be Christmas!
Um, yes please
“Sweepstakes”
You keep using that word.
http://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/57245483.jpg
😉
Cf: http://www.sbisoccer.com/2014/12/report-altidore-bremen.html
I looked it up. From what I can tell…. I think it means that each team that bids on Torres gets apart of him.
The MLS is gunna go King Solomon on Kubo. The Price of fame.
This could be a big moment for Chivas Guad, Houston, MLS, and Cubo Torres. Hope it happens!
very surprised by dynamo to use big money for him but if dynamo want to compete in the west then good move.
So it would be beasley, cubo as DPs and what if they get di nigris from also or marco fabian.
As an FCD fan, I say NNOOOOOOO!!!!! Bad news for our run of El Capitan victories…
A no-brainer if Houston want to pay him and MLS wants to shell out for a transfer. Would be a coup to keep him.
As a casual Dyanmo fan….Make. This. Happen.
Smart move. Good striker and Texas has a huge Mexican-American community.
oh… don’t mean to barge in and offend…. hopefully it’s ok for a non Mexican-American who is merely a fan of the sport and quality players to be a supporter too.
Obnoxious comment, 5 yard penalty, repeat 1st down.
LoL Fair enough- it was meant to be.
I suppose it’s naive of me to think Cubo would be pretty equally appreciated and well supported by fans of any team in MLS independent of demographic based on him being a helluva good player and fun to watch. Or… maybe that’s just my latin blood clouding my judgement.
Oh crap, am I being obnoxious again?
if mls has a young member of el tri starrin in our league its a boost all around for attendance and support
whenever el tri play at soldier field it sells out and u dont even have to advertise its major
I like it, seems like a good fit.