Sports

U.S. newcomer Torres, ex-Red Bull defender Jimenez, lead way in Interliga

Even for fans of the U.S. National Team and the Red Bulls, Interliga has held some interest this week as it kicked off.

Newly-minted U.S. midfielder Jose Francisco Torres helped lead Pachuca to wins in their first two games, clinching advancement from Group A regardless of the result in their final game. He started tonight’s 1-0 victory over Toluca 1-0, and on Saturday had already helped lead a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Tecos, featuring ex-Red Bull defender Diego Jimenez.

After making his U.S. National Team debut, and then helping Pachuca reach the Club World Cup semis, it’s been a heady past few months for the 21-year-old Torres; and Interliga has been the perfect homecoming for the Longview (Tx) native.

“I think it was a great game. We played against a good team. I think we came out motivated to do good things and it’s a good thing that we won,” Torres had said after the Tecos win. “I’m happy and thankful that my family came out. They’re happy to see me play. Thank God we won today. I don’t know. I was just very happy to come out, see my family and to play here in Texas.” With six points, Pachuca is guaranteed of reaching the next round; and with Tecos UAG _ the only team that can catch them on points _ needing to make up a huge eight goals in goal differential, Pachuca has the inside track to taking Group A as well.

Meanwhile, in the earlier game in Houston, Jimenez scored a 71st-minute header to give Tecos UAG a must-have 1-0 victory over Morelia. Oh, and he was a stalwart in the back to help Tecos keeper Jose de Jesus Corona maintain the clean sheet in Houston.

Do you think the success of Torres will help spur Mexican team to sign upcoming U.S. talent? And as irritated as many of you are over Chivas’ Jesus Padilla and Club America’s Edgar Castillo choosing Mexico over the U.S. _ I won’t even get into Guiseppe Rossi and Neven Subotic _ how important do you think players like Torres and San Luis’ Michael Orozco choosing the U.S. over Mexico will be down the road? Check in…