José Torres life and biography

José Francisco Torres Mezzell (born on October 29, 1987, in Longview, Texas) is an American soccer player. He currently plays as a midfielder for Pachuca in the Primera División de México and the United States national team.

Texas-born Torres could have played his international football with Mexico due to his father's heritage, but Team USA chiefs are delighted that this talented and composed midfielder has thrown his hat in their ring.

Still learning his trade in many ways, he was signed by Mexican side Pachuca as his school days were coming to an end, and he built up a fine reputation for retaining the ball and showing good touch.

Torres was eligible to choose between representing Mexico, the nation of his father's heritage and where he played club football, or his native United States. Both national federations had been tracking Torres' progress at Pachuca.

Torres was invited by Peter Nowak to play for the United States U-23 team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Torres declined the invitation when Pachuca promised a position in their starting lineup if he stayed with the club. However, only three months later, on October 2, 2008, Torres announced his intention to represent the United States at the international level, and was called in to the U.S. camp by Bob Bradley within days.

He made his U.S. debut against Cuba on October 11, 2008, coming on as a substitute for Heath Pearce in the sixty-eighth minute. He made his first start against Trinidad and Tobago four days later. Torres was also included in the roster that played against Mexico in February 2009, but did not play. Torres was a member of the U.S. squad for the Confederations Cup, but did not play any matches in the tournament. Furthermore, he was selected to the 23 man roster to represent the United States at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Torres was not viewed as a certain pick for the USA World Cup squad as coach Bob Bradley prepared to name his final 23-man panel, but he clearly felt the youngster who made his international debut two years ago had something to offer. "It was a close call with a few players, but I like what Torres brings to our side," Bradley said. "He is a solid player and you need people like him in any squad."

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