ON THE WAY OUT
Dynamo sell “Cubo” Torres to Pumas UNAM for reported $2 million transfer fee
Erick “ Cubo” Torres’ time in Houston is up.
The Houston Dynamo have parted ways with the 25-year-old Mexican forward after Liga MX side Pumas UNAM completed his purchase for a reported $2 million fee on Wednesday night. Torres was at Houston Sports Park Wednesday morning but by nightfall he was in Mexico City to be announced as a new signing on a national broadcast of his new club’s 3-0 win over Club Juarez in Copa MX.
"It's the best moment of my career and personal life,” said Torres to Televisa Deportes. "I've just turned 25 and have experience in the national team, youth national teams and in important clubs. I'm coming at an age at which, without doubt, I will do big things."
The Dynamo signed Torres to a five-year deal after purchasing him from Liga MX side Club Guadalajara for a reported $7 million in December of 2014. He played the first six months of his deal in Mexico as part of a loan and did not debut in Houston until July 27, 2015 in a 3-0 home win vs. LA Galaxy.
Torres broke out for the Dynamo in 2017 with 14 goals - surpassing Brian Ching’s club record for most MLS goals in a season - after failing to find the back of the net in his first two years. Eight of those goals came in the first 10 matches of the season with his last goal coming as part of a double that rescued a 3-3 draw on August 23 at rival FC Dallas.
“My mind right now is on making a great preseason,” said Torres on Tuesday morning after the Dynamo opened their preseason. “There’s a World Cup coming, I don’t know what could happen. I’m preparing myself for that, to apply pressure, to be in the sight of [Mexican National Team Manager] Juan Carlos Osorio.”
Torres was the highest paid player on the Dynamo in 2017 with a base salary of $650,000, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association website. Houston fielded the team with the lowest team salary in the league as they made a run to the Western Conference final.
Major League Soccer, like several other pro leagues in the United States, operates with a salary cap. The Dynamo had shopped Torres previously in an effort to clear up cap space.
Dynamo GM Matt Jordan will be on Soccer Matters Thursday night with Glenn Davis at 7 p.m. on ESPN 97.5.
