Had you asked me two years ago who my favorite player was, it would have been Fernando Torres of Liverpool and Spain. Similar to Italy’s Luca Toni in height, size, and a nose for the goal, every time Fernando touched the ball inside the opponent’s penalty area, he seemed to give himself a chance to score.
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Injuries slowed him down this season and with it, Liverpool’s season. The good news (bad news for opponents) is that it looks like he is recovered and rested and will be ready to play for Spain in South Africa. How affective he will be is anyone\’s guess. But if he is near 100%, it may be the year of “El Niño.”
But this year\’s World Cup may also be the year of “El Gringo!” American José Francisco Torres who plays for Pachuca in the Mexican professional league (that’s how he got his nickname) may also be poised to do great things in South Africa. Unlike Spain’s Torres, José Torres is a midfielder and a very good one at that. A midfielder is a team’s quarterback and normally dictates the action on the field.
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I have not seen José Torres play much but what I saw in the U.S. game against Turkey was impressive.
- He has great ball control. His dribbling in tight quarters is superb.
- He receives the ball so well. The ball settles so softly onto his feet.
- He is always running to the open space and asking for the ball. This is the telltale signs of a natural midfielder.
- Though it appears he favors his left foot, he is equally adept with both feet.
- His head is always up. He is constantly surveying the field, looking for his teammates, knows where the nearest opponents are, and you can tell he is always thinking two or three moves ahead.
This year’s World Cup is going to be exciting. Hopefully both Torres’ do well. If “El Gringo” does well, look for the U.S. to be very successful.
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