GUADALAJARA, Mexico — José Francisco Torres is 100 percent fit and hoping for a swift return to the US national team.
The Longview, Texas, native was on form for Pachuca and a regular in Jurgen Klinsmann's first three US squads before a broken bone he suffered in his left foot in September ended his season.
US Soccer has been in contact with Torres about his recovery, but the Tuzos midfielder has no doubts that it is up to him to recapture his form and earn a return to the US team.
“[Klinsmann] knows the qualities I have and [US Soccer has] been talking to me to see how my foot is, how my rehabilitation is going,” the 24-year-old Torres told FutbolMLS.com on Tuesday. “They want me to return, but that depends on me. I'm motivated and I'm glad to be back.”
After a mixed start for Klinsmann in his first seven games in charge of the national team – just two wins through seven matches – Torres believes patience is key for US fans and is confident that the results will come.
“When a new coach comes into a team, he tries to see players and pick his first team, which is very complicated,” explained Torres. “Klinsmann is a great coach and I think he's looking at players in various positions. Sooner or later, the team is going to work. We're going to be fine.”
With the list of players for the US' upcoming January friendlies against Venezuela and Panama likely to be released next week, Torres doesn't have long to prove his fitness and form for an immediate return.
Pachuca are currently back in preseason training and have four friendly games in preparation for their first match of the Clausura 2012 tournament against Herculez Gomez's Santos Laguna on Jan. 7.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
