Heading into the 2014 season, Cubo Torres was a 21 year old former wunderkind. He had failed to fully live up to the hype as the next “Chicharito” but still had some success in LigaMX. He had 14 career LigaMX goals as a much hyped teenager before being sent off to Chivas USA. Interesting to note that Chicharito only had 1 LigaMX before his 20th birthday but back to Cubo…
The 2014 season was not suppose to be Cubo’s coming out party. He was going to play on a team that was going to fold after the season and was predicted to be one of the worst in MLS history. The prognosticators were not too far off. Chivas USA finished in 16th place out of 19 teams. Vergara’s side project also finished dead last in goals scored with 29 in 33 games. Of those 29, Cubo scored or assisted on 16 of them. He parlayed that season into his first senior call up to El Tri.
The great season led to a big decision for Cubo. A decision I believe he made correctly but has only just started paying off for him. He has been through a lot and is still only 24 years old. Many will dog him for not living up to the hype he had as a 17 year old but the hysteria was not up to him. It was not his fault he was the next striker coming up in the Chivas academy right after the club sold Chicharito. Also, the club was in disarray during his time there. Vergara was going through coaches like Osorio goes through player rotations. I don’t think Cubo will ever reach the height of Chicharito but then again, I’m not sure if any Mexican striker will.