by Roderick MacNeil
Gringo Torres celebrates a recent goal for Tigres. (Imago7)
Maybe he’s fallen too far down the USMNT depth chart to make a run at Brazil, but don’t tell that to Jose Torres. The man that Tigres supporters affectionately know as “Gringo” (it’s even written on the back of his jersey), has been on a scoring tear lately for his Liga MX club, Tigres UANL. It’s the third goal in as many weeks for the World Cup hopeful, who has taken full advantage of his minutes since returning to Tigres’ starting lineup.
Torres blasted home a left-footed strike from 25 yards out in the 50th minute on Saturday against Toluca. The goal evened the score at 1:1 at the time, with Tigres ultimately falling 2:1 after surrendering a 90th minute winner. His latest goal follows up his stunner on March 20 against Atlante in Copa MX competition. On that play, Torres picked up a deflection from a narrow angle at the top of the 6-yard box and sliced a left-footed shot inside the far post. He also scored on March 9 in Liga MX competition against Cruz Azul, which had been his first league start since January 4.
Torres is undoubtedly on the outside looking in as far as World Cup chances are concerned. He hasn’t been called in since the 2013 Gold Cup, with his last appearance coming in the July 24 semifinal vs. Honduras. Torres started and was subbed off after 67 minutes in that game. His exclusion from the USMNT roster for the Mexico match is a big blow to his roster prospects, with Jurgen Klinsmann having selected hopefuls Maurice Edu, Luis Gil and Julian Green ahead of him. A continued run of strong form might keep Torres on the radar, but it’ll be an uphill battle to even be considered for the preliminary 30-man World Cup roster in May. If he keeps scoring goals, he’ll get noticed.
Tigres UANL next play on Sunday, April 6 in Liga MX play vs. Atlante. The club also faces Oaxaca on Wednesday, April 9 in the 2014 Clausura Copa MX Final.
Here are Gringo’s two most recent golazos. First, from March 30 vs. Toluca, followed by the March 20 goal vs. Atlante:
The Near Post 