José Francisco Torres

José Francisco Torres Mezzell (born October 29, 1987) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder. He is popularly known by his nickname Gringo.

He is usually deployed as a central midfielder but can also play as a full-back. Torres has played for the United States national team.

Early life

Torres was born in Texas to a Mexican father and an American mother. In November 2012, he was transferred to Tigres UANL. On December 22, 2012, Torres made his debut with Tigres in a friendly match against Pumas UNAM in the Estadio Universitario. Tigres was the Apertura 2015 champion, and Torres played the second leg of the final.

On November 25, 2020, after more than two years without playing a professional game, Torres joined USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks ahead of their 2021 season.

On February 21, 2022, Torres signed with USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC.

International career Torres was eligible to choose between representing Mexico, the nation of his father's heritage and where he played club soccer, 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.

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. He was a member of the U.S. squad for the 2009 Confederations Cup but did not play in the tournament. He was selected to the 23-man roster to represent the United States at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and started a group stage game against Slovenia.

Torres continued to be a part of the U.S. set up under Bradley's successor, Jürgen Klinsmann, and was part of the qualification cycle for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Despite being a part of the 2013 Gold Cup winning team, he ended falling outside of Klinsmann's plans, and ultimately was not part of the U.S. team that went to the World Cup in Brazil.

Career statistics Club

International

Honors Pachuca Primera División de México: Clausura 2007 CONCACAF Champions League: 2007, 2008, 2009–10 Copa Sudamericana: 2006 North American SuperLiga: 2007

Tigres UANL Liga MX: Apertura 2015, Apertura 2016, Apertura 2017 Copa MX: Clausura 2014 Campeón de Campeones: 2016, 2017

United States CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2013