Jose Torres' Thumping Strike Should Make Jurgen Klinsmann Take Some Notice

Jose Torres ripped this impressed goal from the outside of the box during Tigres loss to Santos Laguna in the Copa MX Tuesday night. It was his first goal for the Mexican club.

Torres has been a fringe player for the U.S. National Team under both Bob Bradley and now Jurgen Klinsmann, earning 26 caps since his first call-up in 2008. Klinsmann’s used him in this summer’s Gold Cup and called him into the World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, although he didn’t play vs. Costa Rica or Mexico. Torres featured in five Gold Cup matches, subbed off for Brek Shea four times — the other time Shea started and Torres came on for him. He didn’t appear in the final against Panama at all, even with Stuart Holden’s 23rd minute injury with Klinsmann opting for Mix Diskerud. (Neither Duffy or I picked Torres for the potential World Cup roster.)

Central midfield is a spot where the U.S. is blessed with plenty of options. Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones are the presumed starters of a group that includes Diskerud, Kyle Beckerman, Sascha Kljestan, Danny Williams and even Maurice Edu. Working in Torres’ favor is some versatility as he’s played many games as a modified left winger/attacker for the U.S.

Still goals like this will help Torres’ cause, but his status for Brazil will likely be tied to form and injuries to other players. [GIF via r/Soccer]